Fishing Reports

NOAA buoy 42001 recorded 82°F Gulf water in the early hours of May 27, signaling the full arrival of summer inshore conditions along Louisiana's coast. Salt Strong's recent angler coverage highlights redfish stacking on oyster bars — the species concentrating where shell hash meets tidal current — and black drum holding tight to bridge pilings and piers. Both patterns are characteristic of this late-May temperature window, and structure is the dominant playbook for delta and back-bay anglers right now. Louisiana Sportsman reported that LDWF conducted two joint enforcement patrols with NOAA Fisheries in the Gulf this past week, so ensure licenses, slot compliance, and bag limits are squared away before launching. Offshore, buoy 42001 shows 4.3-foot wave heights and winds around 15 knots — manageable for larger vessels but rough for small center consoles. Inshore conditions appear considerably calmer, with buoy 42067 logging only light winds near 4 knots.

15h ago

The USGS gauge at site 07374000 recorded 75 degrees and 411,000 cfs on the Mississippi system on the evening of May 26, conditions that typically push blue catfish, flathead, and alligator gar toward flooded fringe habitat, creek mouths, and timber edges. Angler-specific intel for this freshwater corridor is sparse in current feeds. Louisiana Sportsman noted LDWF and NOAA enforcement patrols in the region this past week, a sign the management calendar is active, though detailed bite reports were absent. Hatch Magazine published a feature on chasing alligator gar in slow Southern river systems this week, a timely reminder that warming late-May water marks a productive window for these prehistoric fish along current seams and backwater sloughs. Safety deserves a mention: Outdoor Hub reported that a man fishing Louisiana's Tangipahoa River was swept away by strong currents last week, underscoring the hazards of elevated spring flows. Catfish remain the most accessible freshwater target in these conditions.

15h ago

USGS gauge 03335500 recorded the Wabash River at 5,270 cfs on the evening of May 26 — a moderately elevated late-spring flow following recent rainfall, with no water temperature available from this gauge. At these levels the main channel is pushing hard; Fishing the Midwest's river coverage points to slower-water pockets, eddy lines, and inside bends as the productive zones, with walleye and sauger responding to jig and slip-sinker crawler presentations along current seams. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin's post-spawn breakdown is directly applicable: most Indiana largemouth and smallmouth have wrapped spawning and are in recovery, males guarding fry near shallow cover while larger females hold along the first depth break. Over on Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline, IL/IN Sea Grant reports spring nearshore buoy deployment is underway, reopening the agency's three-station monitoring network for the season. Channel catfish are entering a seasonal uptick on the Wabash — typical late-May timing as river temperatures climb toward the mid-60s.

15h ago

The Illinois River at USGS gauge 05586100 logged 15,800 cfs on May 26, an elevated late-May reading that typically pushes bass and catfish into slack backwaters, wing-dam eddies, and flooded timber rather than main-channel current. No water temperature was available from the gauge. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn breakdown this week captures conditions across the region: largemouth coming off the beds are splitting behavior, with some "gorging themselves on shad spawns" and responding to aggressive presentations while others hold shallow and spook easily from larger baits. Tactical Bassin confirms that finesse approaches, including the Neko rig and paddle-tail swimbaits, are dialing in on clear-water bass across Great Lakes-region fisheries. On Lake Michigan, IL/IN Sea Grant reports that their three nearshore buoys have just been deployed for the season, giving offshore boaters real-time surface temperature and wave data. Fishing the Midwest flags river systems as prime targets through summer. Channel catfish and Lake Michigan salmon are seasonally active; no current on-water reports are available for those species specifically. Verify current regulations before keeping fish.

15h ago

NOAA buoy 51004 is reading 79°F off the southeast face of the island chain — right in the range that gets offshore boats moving in late May. Buoy 51001 to the northwest confirms similar warmth at 77°F, and trade winds are holding steady at 8–10 m/s across all three sensors. The Waxing Gibbous moon puts anglers two to three days from full, a window many Hawaii captains plan offshore runs around, when larger pelagics tend to be active near the surface. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper, tracks moon and tide rhythms as central context for planning runs. No charter or shop field reports were available this cycle, so species assessments below reflect seasonal norms for late May in Hawaiian waters rather than direct on-water testimony. Blue marlin are building through this month, mahi-mahi are active in the upper water column, and yellowfin tuna (ahi) are a consistent presence across the warm blue-water band.

15h ago

A new Lake Tugalo shellcracker record headlines the week: Clarkesville native Phil Black landed a 2-lb., 3.26-oz. redear sunfish on a worm and spinning rod on May 20, certified by DNR scales, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Bass action has matched that momentum. Joshua Barber's May 23 Southern Waters report in GA Sportsman describes panfish and bass biting well across Georgia river systems, with Jimmy Zinker boating a 6-lb largemouth on a night trip using a Muskie Jitterbug. The Savannah River at Clyo (USGS gauge 02197000) is running at 8,270 cfs and holding steady, offering fishable conditions on the main stem. The Georgia Wildlife Blog notes another strong week of fishing underway statewide, with the Georgia Bass Slam and Trout Slam challenges drawing anglers to explore multiple species and waters. Rain is forecast nearly every day next week, which could open additional aggressive feeding windows.

15h ago

The USGS gauge 02232000 on the St. Johns clocked 59.9 cfs on the evening of May 26, signaling low, deliberate flow that concentrates fish along channel edges and submerged structure. Bass fishing is firmly in the post-spawn window across Lake Okeechobee and the upper St. Johns. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn breakdown describes two distinct camps right now: fish gorging aggressively near shad and bream spawns, and shallower, spooky bass still guarding fry. Covering both moods on a single outing is the move this week. Bluegill and bream are peaking on their own beds in late May, creating an easy secondary bite on small poppers, beetle spins, and cricket rigs. Outdoor Hub reported a new Florida state blue catfish record this month, a 73.6-pound fish pulled from the Suwannee River, reflecting the strong catfish season now underway across Florida's freshwater systems. No temperature reading is available from the gauge; anglers should expect surface temps typical of late May in this region, generally in the mid-80s range.

15h ago

Snook Nook in Stuart reports late-spring snook fishing "heating up" along the Treasure Coast as fish position ahead of early summer patterns, with excellent action expected in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. Tarpon are also in their typical late-May migration window, though no specific local reports have surfaced this cycle. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag identifies May through July as prime time for blackfin tuna, noting the fish are already "flooding offshore waters from the Keys up to Palm Beach" — a fishery suited for kite fishing, live bait drifts, and trolling over wrecks. One significant development: the anticipated expanded Atlantic red snapper season was halted by a federal court injunction just before opening day, per CCA Florida and Coastal Angler Magazine, with Florida pivoting to state-level rules. Anglers should verify current regs before targeting snapper. NOAA buoys 41008 and 41009 are reading 4.3-foot seas with winds around 12–16 knots. A waxing gibbous moon should support strong feeding windows inshore.

15h ago

With water temps at 65°F on the Connecticut River (USGS gauge 01184000) and the Middletown-to-Cromwell stretch packed with shad and stripers, late May is delivering one of the year's strongest inland fishing windows. Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown called the Connecticut River "the most popular fishing destination at this time," with the Rocky Hill boat launch area also running hot. White perch are showing up as a consistent bycatch for striper anglers drifting sandworms. On the trout front, Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports the Wilton section of the Norwalk River is fishing well on recently stocked fish, with Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Mepps Spinners all getting strikes. Smaller tributaries are running at moderate levels, giving wading anglers good access to their best runs. The waxing gibbous moon should keep feeding windows elevated through the upcoming weekend.

16h ago

USGS gauge 09095500 recorded the Colorado River at 2,840 cfs and 64°F on the evening of May 26 — a temperature sitting squarely in the prime trout-feeding zone. The story behind that flow reading is significant: Cutthroat Anglers' May update describes this winter as "historic for all the wrong reasons," with Colorado snowpack at historically low levels reshaping expectations across the region's river corridors. But the shop's Matt Campanella frames the low-water year as an opportunity, noting that fish are grouped up in predictable seams and actively feeding for anglers willing to downsize their presentations. AvidMax has been showcasing midge emergers, pheasant tail nymphs, and jigged CDC patterns — consistent with the technical subsurface game Colorado tailwaters demand in lower, clearer flows. Pat Dorsey noted earlier this spring that BWO hatches arrived ahead of schedule given warm trends, with caddis now entering the picture. With 64°F water and a Waxing Gibbous moon this week, morning and evening windows will be the most productive.

16h ago

Chinook salmon are showing strongly along the Central Coast, with Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reporting a genuine upgrade in conditions after northwest winds drove upwelling that dropped sea surface temperatures four to five degrees. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay confirmed water temps fell to 54°F below Pigeon Point, a stark improvement from the 58°F readings that opened the season in April. NOAA buoys are backing that picture: buoy 46042 (Monterey) reads 59°F while buoy 46026 shows a cooler 51°F farther offshore, reflecting the active upwelling cell. The nutrient-rich cold water is pulling baitfish to the surface and setting up feeding lanes the Chinook are beginning to exploit. Conditions are rough — buoys 46028 and 46026 report wave heights between 10.8 and 11.5 feet with winds near 11–12 m/s — so offshore runs should wait for a calmer window. A Waxing Gibbous moon this week favors low-light bite windows at dawn.

16h ago

USGS gauge 09380000 logged 8,140 cfs and 58°F on the Colorado River the evening of May 26 — elevated flows that are pushing fish out of the main current and into back-eddies and inside seams. At 58°F, the Lees Ferry tailwater sits squarely in the rainbow trout's preferred range, though wading is largely impractical at these volumes; drift-boat and bank access from calm side channels are the practical routes. No regional shop, charter, or state agency source reported conditions for the Colorado or Salt Rivers in this cycle, so local intel is limited. Across the Salt River reservoir chain, largemouth and striped bass are in the post-spawn transition typical of late May in the Desert Southwest. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown notes that fish in this phase split between aggressively feeding and shallow-spooky — covering both modes is the weekend play. Tonight's Waxing Gibbous moon should extend low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

16h ago

Water temperatures holding at 42–44°F across the Gulf of Alaska (NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080) place late May squarely in prime territory for Pacific halibut and king salmon. The urgent caveat: sea state is severe. Buoy 46066 is reading wave heights near 26 feet, and buoy 46001 registers 21 feet; both readings will ground most charter and private vessels. Buoy 46080 presents a comparatively manageable 10.8-foot swell, hinting that sheltered nearshore zones may offer a window for hardy skippers willing to watch conditions closely. AK Sea Grant's coverage of the ComFish skills competition in Kodiak earlier this season reflects an active commercial sector on the water, though no specific recreational bite data is available from current intel feeds. Anglers should monitor local harbormasters and charter boards; the waxing gibbous moon sets up strong tidal movement that, once seas ease, should concentrate fish on feeding edges.

16h ago

USGS gauge 15266300 recorded 3,060 cfs and 44°F at 4 p.m. on May 26, signaling peak spring runoff is still rolling through the Kenai drainage. Water this cold keeps fish metabolisms in check, but it won't stop early-season king salmon from pushing upriver; Chinook are built for these temperatures. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried specific catch reports from the Kenai or interior Alaska rivers, so conditions here are drawn from the gauge reading and late-May seasonal patterns typical for southcentral Alaska. With flows running strong and water staying in the low-to-mid 40s, expect kings to hug the soft-water edges and back eddies rather than burning energy bucking mid-channel current. Grayling in interior rivers tend to be active at these temperatures on sunny afternoons, and Dolly Varden follow the first smolt pulses into the tributaries. Check local forecasts and current regulations before heading out, as king harvest windows can shift quickly this time of year.

16h ago

The USGS gauge on the Sabine (site 08025500) logged 89 cfs as of May 26, signaling low, stable inflow that settles fish onto structure rather than spreading them across the reservoir. Toledo Bend is firmly in post-spawn mode heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown describes this as a split period: one contingent of fish feeds aggressively on shad and bream spawns near shallow flats and laydowns, while another drops to channel bends and brush piles demanding finesse tactics. Crappie are well-positioned for their best window of the year, with LakeForkGuy highlighting post-spawn conditions as the most aggressive crappie bite of the season. Jigs and small swimbaits around submerged timber are the proven approach. Hatch Magazine's Sabine River retrospective is a reminder that gar are a signature species on this border water, running warm and active through the late-spring months. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle.

19h ago

A new Lake Tugalo shellcracker record headlined the Savannah chain this past week: Phil Black of Clarkesville weighed in a 2-lb., 3.26-oz. redear on a worm and spinning rod on May 20, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. That same outlet's May 23 regional report confirms panfish and bass have been biting well across the region, with rain likely to arrive most days next week. The Savannah River at Clyo is holding steady at 3.0 feet, and USGS gauge 02192000 shows the mainstem running at 6,600 cfs as of May 26, consistent with normal late-spring levels. Late May puts Hartwell and Russell bass firmly in the post-spawn transition: males that recently guarded fry are pushing off beds toward deeper structure, while larger females are already recovering on nearby points and creek channels. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's May 22 report flags the Georgia Bass Slam as an active multi-species challenge worth pursuing this season.

19h ago

USGS gauge 11455420 registered a strong tidal backflow of -63,800 cfs on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta at midday on May 26, reflecting an active flood-tide push through the slough network — a reliable trigger for feeding activity along current breaks and tule edges. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this period. NorCal Fish Reports covers Delta conditions in their weekly roundup, though no Delta-specific catch details surfaced in this week's available feeds. Late May typically marks the tail end of the striped bass spawn, with fish transitioning back from upriver staging areas into the broader tidal network and entering a post-spawn feeding recovery. Largemouth bass are in classic post-spawn mode: males guarding fry in shallow tule margins, females recovering and pushing toward adjacent mid-depth structure. The waxing gibbous moon supports amplified tidal swings and stronger dawn and dusk feeding windows through the week. Confirm current conditions at NorCal Fish Reports before launching.

19h ago

Root River Rod Co, featured in MidCurrent's most recent Tying Tuesday, spotlights their go-to Driftless streamer — a pine squirrel jig built to bounce the rocky bottom without hanging up in the tight, technical spaces of these spring creeks — as a direct signal that late-May stream action is building. USGS gauge 05407000 on the Wisconsin River registered 9,780 cfs on May 26, indicating elevated regional flows from recent precipitation; the groundwater-fed nature of most Driftless streams should buffer that pulse, but smaller rain-fed tributaries may carry off-color water for a day or two. No surface temperature reading was available from the gauges we checked. MidCurrent's surface-and-film pattern roundup also notes hatches beginning to fire across the region, with anglers building full water-column toolkits from dry film to subsurface. Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage underscores this as a pivotal window: selective, pressured fish reward fine tippets and patient presentation over hardware.

19h ago

Water temperatures logged at 64°F this afternoon at USGS gauge 04232050 on a Finger Lakes tributary, placing Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles squarely in the post-spawn transition window for smallmouth bass, historically the most productive stretch of the season on these lakes. Fish that were on beds a week or two ago are now regrouping along rocky points and deeper transitions in the 5 to 15 foot zone, actively feeding to rebuild after the spawn. Tactical Bassin notes that in clear northern fisheries at this stage, paddle-tail swimbaits and finesse presentations both earn bites, with the Neko rig becoming a reliable follow-up for pressured fish. The Waxing Gibbous moon should extend feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. No region-specific charter or shop reports arrived in this cycle, so conditions reflect gauge readings and seasonal patterns typical for Finger Lakes in late May.

19h ago

Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) documented an on-schedule spring this year, with Dundee Pond — a southern Maine benchmark — clearing ice on April 4. That timing points toward a normal seasonal progression for the Rangeley highlands, where major lake ice-outs typically follow by several weeks, setting up a late-May peak for brook trout and landlocked salmon. USGS gauge 01054200 on the upper Androscoggin reads 178 cfs as of May 26 — a moderate, wading-accessible level, with no temperature data returned this cycle. Surface temps across the Rangeley basin are likely in the mid-to-upper 50s°F based on seasonal norms, which puts brook trout in their most active pre-summer feeding range. The waxing gibbous moon building toward full should extend low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Lake trout (togue) are expected to be transitioning off the shallows into deeper water as the season advances.

19h ago

USGS gauge 01030500 on the upper Penobscot logged 1,740 cfs on May 26 — a moderate late-spring level consistent with post-peak-runoff conditions that typically open solid access to river tributary sections. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. Direct angler-intel feeds for Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot drainage are sparse in this report cycle; The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's current coverage focuses on Connecticut and Massachusetts rivers rather than Maine inland waters. Without on-the-ground reports from this specific drainage, conditions here draw on seasonal patterns rather than attributed catch reports. Late May at Moosehead traditionally places landlocked salmon in prime feeding territory — surface temperatures are generally still below the 60°F mark that pushes fish deep, and smelt forage continues staging near tributary mouths. Brook trout remain accessible in inlet streams before midsummer warmth sets in, and lake trout (togue) are transitioning off spawning structure toward deeper summer haunts. The waxing gibbous moon this week can extend low-light feeding windows worth planning around.

19h ago

Water temperature at USGS gauge 04294500 on Lake Champlain registered 55°F on May 26, placing conditions squarely in the smallmouth bass spawn window. Male smallmouth should be actively fanning beds on shallow rocky and gravel substrate, with larger females moving through transition edges. Wired 2 Fish's overview of post-spawn bass behavior notes that fish coming off beds split sharply between aggressive feeders and finesse-only biters, so presentations should stay flexible as the cycle progresses. Tactical Bassin's smallmouth playbook for clear-water fisheries emphasizes soft plastic tubes and drop-shots in natural colors when fish are locked on beds in the 55 to 65°F band. Landlocked salmon, meanwhile, are likely pressing deeper as late-May surface temps rise, making vertical jigging and trolling at depth the more reliable approach. No Lake Champlain-specific shop or charter reports were available in this update cycle; the picture below draws on gauge data and regional smallmouth coverage from Tactical Bassin and Wired 2 Fish.

19h ago

The Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs (USGS gauge 06192500) registered 8,390 cfs and 54°F on May 26, placing the drainage squarely in peak spring-runoff territory. High, turbid water defines the mainstem picture across both the Yellowstone and Snake drainages this week, and wading access on most reaches is limited to side channels and protected bank edges. Fly angler John Juracek, revisiting his landmark 'Fishing Yellowstone Hatches' reference in a recent Flylab (Substack) piece, cautions that Yellowstone's emergence calendar has shifted measurably over three decades, with late-May windows now less predictable than historical tables suggest. With flows elevated and visibility limited on mainstems, nymphing deep along inside bends and slower tail-outs is the productive play right now. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights surface-film and open-water patterns, including CDC emergers and attractor dries, that will come into play once the mainstems begin their drawdown, typically one to two weeks after the seasonal crest.

20h ago

Per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' May 23 Southern Waters report, panfish and bass have been biting well across the region this week, with a 6-pound largemouth boated on a night trip using a topwater Muskie Jitterbug. At Lake Allatoona, the Wildlife Resources Division has launched a formal investigation into suspected illegal smallmouth bass stocking, with anglers reporting what appear to be smallmouth-Alabama bass hybrids over a 30- to 40-day stretch, also per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. The Georgia Wildlife Blog notes the Georgia Bass Slam is now active, giving anglers added incentive to target multiple species across both lakes. USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam reads 49°F at 4,550 cfs: that is cold tailwater from deep dam releases, not lake surface temperature. On-lake surface temps at Lanier and Allatoona typically run well above that reading in late May. A waxing gibbous moon overhead favors feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

20h ago