Daily fishing verdict · 2026-08-05

Clear skies, 70°F water — but the river's still gasping.

Published: 2026-08-05 Written from: the dock at 1511 Oak Orchard River Rd, Waterport, NY

The 24h DO range topped out at just 3.3 mg/L — well below the 5 mg/L floor fish need to feed actively — so there's no real afternoon relief window here, even with sunny skies boosting photosynthesis. Smallmouth are in their temperature sweet spot at 70°F, but chronically low oxygen overrides that advantage. I'd honestly hold off until we get some aeration; conditions may shift, but I can't promise you much today.

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