Fishing Reports

Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop in Minocqua reports that lakes across the Northwoods have warmed to the mid-50s to low-60s in late May 2026, with both walleye and musky beginning to stage in shallower water after a cold start to the season. Fish remain somewhat scattered, but the shop's current advice is to lead shallow and work progressively deeper, a search pattern well-suited to the post-spawn transition these species are navigating. Adding to the season's early interest, the 2026 musky opener coincided with the walleye opener for the first time since the early 1980s, giving Northwoods anglers simultaneous access to both trophy fisheries from day one. The First Quarter moon this weekend favors moderate feeding activity around low-light windows. USGS gauge 05400650 returned no data this period, leaving lake-level conditions unconfirmed by instrumentation. Expect improving bite consistency as temperatures continue climbing toward the mid-60s.

3d ago

Record coho numbers from 2024 set the tone for this season: the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirmed 210,000-plus coho harvested statewide, a new record, alongside 160,000-plus Chinook, the best King total since 2012. The DNR credits strong alewife year classes with boosting stocked-fish survival through critical early-life stages. For Door County this week, a key access note: the Rowley's Bay boat launch near Newport State Park remains closed until approximately 4 p.m. on May 31 while concrete ramp improvements are completed; plan for alternate launches in the Sturgeon Bay area. No current buoy readings or on-water charter reports are available this cycle, leaving water temperature unconfirmed. With the First Quarter moon aligned with late-May timing, salmon trolling and smallmouth bass action are seasonally expected to be building. Confirm conditions locally before launching and monitor marine forecasts closely, as Lake Michigan can build significant wave heights on short notice.

3d ago

The USGS gauge 04059500 is recording 394 cfs as of May 24, placing UP tributary flows at a fishable late-spring level. Water temperature data is unavailable from current sensors. On Lake Superior's western arm, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program has documented a growing whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay region, with survey data confirming strong angler participation by boat through the open-water season, a pattern that typically mirrors conditions along Michigan's Lake Superior shoreline at this stage of the calendar. AnglingBuzz has recently published Lake Superior content focused on walleye and sturgeon tactics, species that stage near tributary mouths and nearshore structure in late May. UP brook trout streams are in their late-spring prime: moderate flows suggest comfortable wading with enough water to hold fish in riffles and runs. Nymph and emerging dry-fly approaches typically produce well during this window ahead of the summer low-water period.

3d ago

Real-time sensor data for this region came up empty this cycle: USGS gauge 04157000 returned no flow or temperature readings, and no buoy data was available for Lake Huron. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was also inaccessible. Despite the data gap, late May typically opens one of the stronger multi-species windows on this water. Tactical Bassin highlights that Great Lakes clear-water fisheries call for finesse presentations and paddle-tail swimbaits to locate big prespawn smallmouth bass — fish approaching their spawn on Lake Huron's rocky shoals this week. Fishing the Midwest notes that spring shallow-flat approaches and slow-trolled setups produce walleye across the Upper Midwest, a pattern that translates directly to Saginaw Bay's western reaches. Michigan Sportsman Forum chatter from May 8 included pike casting footage, suggesting northern pike remain an active target ahead of full post-spawn recovery. The First Quarter moon this week tightens the productive walleye window to dawn and dusk rather than running all night.

3d ago

The USGS gauge on the Grand River (site 04119000) logged 3,360 cfs on May 24, a workable late-spring flow that keeps the river-to-lake transition zone fishable. Direct bite reports for this stretch are thin this cycle — the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was inaccessible in the data feed. The strongest nearby signal comes from the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report, which puts the lake's salmon stocks in excellent shape: more than 210,000 coho were harvested in 2024 (a record) alongside over 160,000 Chinook, the best tally since 2012, driven by strong alewife forage classes. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin notes that Great Lakes smallmouth are actively schooling in prespawn mode this time of year, with late May representing one of the prime windows to cover water quickly using swimbaits and finesse presentations in the lake's clear shallows. Steelhead have largely retreated from Grand River tributaries for the season.

3d ago

The Mahoning River feeding Mosquito Reservoir is running at 846 cfs (USGS gauge 03110000), a late-May inflow reading that reflects active spring drainage into one of northeast Ohio's premier walleye fisheries. No on-water dispatches from Mosquito or Pymatuning came through this cycle's intel feeds directly, but regional coverage fills in the picture. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass content tracks largemouth transitioning off beds and stacking around shallow cover, a rhythm that fits both reservoirs entering Memorial Day weekend. Wired 2 Fish contributor Justin Lucas calls early-morning topwater over grass, reeds, and dock edges the most reliable low-light trigger right now, with calm surface conditions drawing reaction strikes. Walleye, the signature species on both lakes, are typically in post-spawn scatter mode by this date, beginning to collect on main-lake structure and rocky points. Crappie remain accessible in shallow timber as their spawn winds down through the holiday weekend. The First Quarter moon sharpens dawn and dusk feeding windows.

3d ago

NOAA buoy 45005 put Western Basin surface temps at 55°F early Sunday morning, sitting in the transitional range that typically pushes post-spawn walleye off shallow spawning reefs and onto mid-depth structure. A tributary gauge (USGS 04193500) logged 4,030 cfs and a notably warmer 65°F water temperature, signaling warm inflows that tend to concentrate emerging baitfish near river plumes and draw predators behind them. No charter or shop reports from the Western Basin came through this cycle's feeds, so this update leans on instrument readings and seasonal context rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain the foundation of a walleye setup through late spring, a point worth keeping in mind as fish settle into their post-spawn roaming pattern. A First Quarter moon building toward full should sharpen low-light bite windows. Light 2 m/s winds at buoy 45005 make for comfortable drift and troll conditions. Always verify current Ohio regulations before harvesting.

3d ago

Flylords Mag this week pinpoints East Coast green drake emergences running from early May through late June, placing Penns Creek and Spring Creek squarely in prime time for one of Pennsylvania's most celebrated annual hatches. USGS gauge 01546500 shows regional flow at 104 cfs, a manageable wading level for these central PA limestone corridors; water temperature data was unavailable at time of reading, though spring-fed limestone creeks typically hold in the ideal 58-65°F range through May. Hatch Magazine's current spring creek coverage underscores the technical demands of these gin-clear, pressured waters, where fine tippets and deliberate presentation separate fish from frustration. MidCurrent's hatch-season tying features highlight patterns spanning the full water column, from high-floating attractors to CDC emergers to subsurface nymphs, reflecting the multi-layer feeding behavior common when hatches overlap. Gink and Gasoline notes that warm spring weather can push hatch timing earlier; sulphurs are the expected follow-on hatch and should be in play through evening windows for the remainder of May.

3d ago

USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny River clocked 15,700 cfs just after midnight on May 24, elevated well above late-May norms, making wading a non-starter and concentrating fish in slack-water pockets, eddy lines, and current breaks behind structure. Water temperature data is unavailable from the gauge at this cycle; expect cool-to-moderate conditions typical of late-spring Pennsylvania tailwaters. PA Fish & Boat biologist reports have not surfaced specific Allegheny tailwater intel for this reporting window, so conditions here are drawn from gauge data and seasonal patterns. Tactical Bassin's recent coverage of paddle-tail swimbaits in tough conditions points toward slow, bulky reaction presentations when fish are less likely to chase. For fly anglers targeting tailwater sections below the upstream dams, MidCurrent's current tying roundup highlights a midge-style pattern built explicitly for tailrace and stillwater environments, alongside pine-squirrel jig streamers for rocky, technical water. Catfish are typically on the move in late May as water temperatures build toward their feeding window.

3d ago

NOAA buoy 45005 logged 55°F on Lake Erie at dawn Sunday, placing PA anglers in a productive transitional window for walleye and smallmouth bass at Presque Isle. Wave heights held near 1.6 feet with winds nearly flat, offering comfortable offshore access that spring's typical chop rarely allows. A tributary gauge (USGS gauge 04213000) reported 926 cfs, indicating elevated runoff from recent rainfall; anglers should expect some color in nearshore bay water and may find cleaner conditions by moving to offshore structure. Direct on-water reports specific to Lake Erie PA were limited in this cycle. PA Sea Grant has been actively engaging Northwestern Pennsylvania anglers around invasive Round Goby management, a relevant factor for live-bait and bottom-targeting rigs throughout this fishery. Tactical Bassin notes that Great Lakes smallmouth school heavily in the post-spawn period and respond to swimbaits and finesse presentations in clear water. With the first quarter moon overhead, low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk are worth planning around.

3d ago

Water temps at 59°F per USGS gauge 04231600 mark the late-May transition across Western NY's Lake Erie and Niagara corridor. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes smallmouth breakdown identifies clear-water Erie-style fisheries as the prime moment for paddle-tail swimbaits and tube jigs, with bass moving off gravel spawning beds and turning aggressive on rocky nearshore structure. Walleye are scattering from post-spawn staging areas and settling into summer feeding patterns along mid-lake humps, where jig-and-minnow and bottom-bouncer rigs remain productive. Fishing the Midwest flags shallow flats as an underutilized spring target before warming water pushes fish deeper, a window still open across Erie's western basin right now. Yellow perch stay reliable on eastern basin reefs through late May. Tributary flow at 2,910 cfs at gauge 04231600 signals moderate runoff; check water clarity at your launch before committing to open-lake runs.

3d ago

Flylords Mag places the East Coast green drake hatch squarely between early May and late June, and late May is the prime window for Catskills and Adirondack trout streams. USGS gauges show the region carrying 229 cfs and 68.5 cfs as of May 23, both within wading reach with enough current to stack feeding fish along seams and outside bends. Water temperatures are not available from either gauge at this reading. For the pre-hatch hours, MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage highlights beaded dark nymphs for overcast, low-light conditions and sparse midge-style patterns for clear, selective water, both staples on technical Catskills limestone sections. Gink and Gasoline has noted that warm weather can push Sulphur and Light Cahill emergence ahead of their typical late-April-to-May schedule, so carry a full range of emerger sizes even if conditions look textbook. First Quarter moon extends productive twilight windows through late evening, when Catskills browns are most likely to commit to a dry.

3d ago

Strike Zone Charters is reporting excellent salmon fishing on Lake Ontario this past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixing into the action. The productive zone sits in 100 to 160 feet of water; Mag Dipsey Divers are the go-to tool when the temperature layer pushes fish deep, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chips have been producing results. On the tributary side, the USGS gauge on the Salmon River (site 04250750) shows flow at 125 cfs as of May 24, a manageable level that should allow wade access in the lower river. Water temperature data was unavailable from gauges this cycle. With the First Quarter moon coinciding with this active offshore period, anglers targeting Lake Ontario's mixed trolling spread heading into Memorial Day weekend are in a solid window. The lake bite is clearly the headline story this week.

3d ago

Trout Unlimited's feature on the Wind River Reservation called out Wyoming's central drainage as prime angling habitat, a timely backdrop as late-May snowmelt pushes both the Wind River and North Platte into peak runoff. USGS gauge 06259000 returned no data at press time, so confirming current flows before launching is essential. Freestone mainstem stretches are almost certainly running high and turbid at this stage of snowmelt. Regulated tailwater sections below the major reservoirs are the smarter target right now; flows are managed there and water clarity holds even when surrounding tributaries blow out. Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage this season emphasizes slowing down and reading water carefully when conditions are off, advice that applies directly to the spring creeks and off-channel pockets that hold fish when main stems are pushing hard. Flylords Mag flagged green drake emergences as one of the season's marquee hatches, and as runoff recedes the Wind River and North Platte drainages will move into their prime dry fly buildup.

3d ago

Wisconsin's general fishing season, open since May 2 per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News, is hitting its stride in the final week of May. The Wisconsin River is reading 666 cfs at USGS gauge 05391000, a moderate, workable flow that keeps walleye concentrated on current edges and rocky structure rather than scattered into flooded cover. Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been documenting this stretch as 'May Walleye Craziness,' pointing to active post-spawn feeding in shallower zones, while AnglingBuzz has covered shallow walleye tactics alongside Lake Superior-specific patterns. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing reports the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery has grown into a popular open-water target the DNR is now formally managing. Fishing the Midwest identifies jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs as the go-to walleye presentations at this stage of the season. First Quarter moon conditions this weekend favor active feeding at dawn and dusk across all three target species.

3d ago

The New River is flowing at 2120 cfs as of early Sunday morning per USGS gauge 03051000 — a moderate, workable level that keeps the river in solid shape heading into the Memorial Day weekend. No water temperature data was available from the gauge; late May on the New River typically places water in the low-to-mid 60s°F range, right where post-spawn smallmouth feed most aggressively off structure. Tactical Bassin's recent breakdown of post-spawn bass tactics documents how fish transition from bed-guarding to active, reaction-bite feeding, with paddle-tail swimbaits and chatterbaits the top tools for covering water efficiently in changing conditions. A Wired 2 Fish feature from pro angler Justin Lucas reinforces that early mornings and late evenings are the key topwater windows, working a loud, aggressive presentation quickly over shallow cover near docks, reeds, and grass edges. With the First Quarter moon building toward full, evening feeding activity is strengthening through the week — timing that lines up well for a productive weekend.

4d ago

Northwest winds at 7 m/s off NOAA buoy 46041 and 4 m/s at buoy 46087 this morning signal calm-to-moderate offshore conditions, with air temperatures hovering in the low 50s°F along the Washington coast. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both buoy stations this cycle. The WA WDFW Fishing Reports page confirms active statewide creel monitoring across state waters, though this feed returned no specific current catch summaries from Puget Sound or Pacific coast access sites. Seasonal norms for late May in this region point squarely to spring Chinook salmon as the marquee Puget Sound target, with Pacific halibut season underway along the outer coast and lingcod and rockfish rounding out the bottomfish card. First Quarter moon this week produces moderate tidal exchange — a favorable setup for both salmon mooching and halibut drifts. Verify current season dates, retention limits, and any emergency closures with WA WDFW before launching, as Puget Sound salmon rules can change on short notice.

4d ago

USGS gauge 14113000 logged 1,120 cfs and 61°F on the evening of May 23, placing conditions at the seasonal crossover point on the Columbia system. Spring Chinook, which typically peak through April and early May on Columbia tributaries, are winding toward the close of their run at these temperatures, while warm-water species are moving into more active summer patterns. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel surveys and stocking data, though specific on-water conditions from Columbia and Puget Sound river corridors were not detailed in this reporting cycle. Smallmouth bass in the mid-Columbia's rocky reaches are typically at their most responsive once water tops 60°F, and the American shad run on the Columbia tends to crest between late May and mid-June -- both windows appear on track given current readings. Confirm emergency closures and hatchery-mark requirements with WA WDFW before targeting salmon or steelhead, as regulations can shift quickly at this point in the season.

4d ago

Water temperature sitting at 57°F per NOAA buoy 44009 early this morning frames an encouraging late-May window at the Chesapeake mouth. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog has published a dedicated spring striped bass field report with biologists documenting rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines throughout Virginia's tidal waters. Fish are keying on hard structure that earned them the local 'rockfish' name. Regionally, On The Water's Striper Migration Map (May 22) confirms the spring run is tracking a lunar-driven building phase, and The Fisherman (Northeast) reports a push of 20- to 30-pound stripers up the coast that observers describe as among the stronger quality runs in recent years. Weakfish are beginning to show regionally per Saltwater Edge Blog, and bluefish are pressing into the mid-Atlantic from the north. The waxing First Quarter moon sets up solunar peaks over the coming week, timing perfectly with the Memorial Day weekend.

4d ago

Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report confirms rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds across the state's tidal rivers; the lower Potomac's freshwater-tidal transition zone is a prime intercept point late in the season. A historic southeastern drought documented by the Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog has trimmed regional flows; USGS gauge 01646500 shows the Potomac at 7,990 cfs, and lower, clearer water on the Shenandoah's limestone runs typically benefits smallmouth bass anglers working crayfish patterns and soft plastics along gravel bars. Per On The Water's May 22 striper migration map, the spring run moves in peaks and valleys keyed to moon phases; with the First Quarter moon arriving this weekend, a short-lived uptick in striper activity is plausible before the run winds down. Focus on early-morning windows before afternoon heat sets in, and check Virginia regs before targeting stripers above the fall line.

4d ago

The USGS gauge 01135300 registered 55.3 cfs on the upper Connecticut River watershed at its early-morning read on May 24, a low, clear-water mark that opens wade-fishing options on Vermont tributary streams. No water temperature data is available from this cycle. The closest regional intel comes from The Fisherman's New England Freshwater correspondents: Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown reports shad and carp moving through the Connecticut River corridor this week, with largemouth bass now locked into spawn mode and described as decidedly trickier than prespawn. Rod Teehan connected with brook and rainbow trout over deep water in western Massachusetts on May 13, suggesting Vermont trout are similarly staged on cooler thermal pockets as surface temps climb. Fisherman's World reports smallmouth bass action is steadily improving as water temperatures trend upward. On Lake Champlain, no direct source reports landed this cycle; conditions there reflect seasonal expectation rather than fresh on-water testimony.

4d ago

USGS gauge 09234500 recorded the Green River at 1,240 cfs and 51°F on May 23, a moderate, fishable tailwater reading that places conditions squarely in the trout's preferred late-spring feeding range. No angler-intel sources in this week's data directly covered the Green River or Uinta region, so this report draws primarily on gauge readings and seasonal patterns typical for the area. At 51°F, brown and rainbow trout along the tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam should be actively feeding throughout the day. MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday highlighted midge-style patterns suited to "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," precisely the conditions found in this stretch. Up in the Uinta Mountains, high-elevation lakes are approaching or just past ice-off by late May; cutthroat and brook trout action builds steadily into June as surface temperatures climb. Waders should use caution at 1,240 cfs: drift boats are the more comfortable option at this level.

4d ago

North Texas Catfish Guide is reporting exceptional blue catfish action on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, with fresh inflows carrying the reservoir to nearly full pool. Per North Texas Catfish Guide, rising lake levels are triggering aggressive feeding: crews are landing limits of big blue catfish, with 30-plus-pound fish showing up on multiple trips through late May. Channel catfish are active alongside them in the main lake. LakeForkGuy's recent content points to a post-spawn crappie bite ramping up across Texas impoundments, described as among the most aggressive of the year. USGS gauge 08211200 recorded a flow of 157 cfs as of May 23, reflecting moderate freshwater movement in the system. With the First Quarter moon overhead and late-May metabolism on the rise, most freshwater species statewide are in an active pre-summer feeding mode. Early morning and late evening windows offer the best action on shallow presentations.

4d ago

Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass actively feeding on Lake Chickamauga, with angler Tim targeting fish through swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations across varying water clarity. At the clear-water end of the lake, light finesse rigs drew deliberate bites; in the murkier upstream sections, power fishing with reaction baits triggered aggressive fish. That dual-condition approach is worth keeping in mind across Tennessee and Cumberland basin reservoirs as late-May post-spawn fish scatter off beds and push toward adjacent cover. The Cumberland River at Nashville is reading 1,380 cfs per USGS gauge 03434500, a moderate and fishable flow that should keep river catfish accessible without pushing bass far off their post-spawn staging edges. Kentucky Lake's recent Bassmaster Open produced a 62-pound, 2-ounce three-day winning bag (per B.A.S.S. News), confirming fish quality across west Tennessee waters remains strong heading into the Memorial Day weekend.

4d ago