Fishing Reports

Water temperature at 62°F and flow at 2,390 cfs on USGS gauge 14211720 this morning puts both the Columbia and Rogue systems squarely in the late-spring productive zone. At this temperature, spring Chinook are well within their comfort range, early summer-run steelhead are beginning their push into Oregon's freshwater drainages, and trout are feeding actively as aquatic insect hatches ramp up. No charter or shop reports from this corridor surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here are grounded in gauge readings and seasonal norms typical for mid-May Oregon. MidCurrent's current tying roundups feature beaded nymphs for overcast, low-light conditions and streamers for rocky-bottom rivers — both well-suited to the water stage we're tracking. The waxing crescent moon this week creates productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk worth timing around. Verify hatchery retention rules through state regulations before keeping any Chinook or steelhead this season.

May 19

The Grand River is carrying 3,870 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of May 19, running elevated for mid-May and nudging fish toward slower seams, eddies, and sheltered bays along its lower reaches. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report (May 13) flags active commercial netting near several popular Great Lakes ports — orange-flagged buoys mark gill-net gear and can be widely spaced, so anglers should plan their routes accordingly. On the bite, Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth breakdown puts this window squarely in peak prespawn territory, with fish schooled and covering water fast — swimbaits and reaction baits are the recommended play before fish lock onto beds. Walleye and yellow perch — Great Lakes staples — typically show their most active spring feeds through late May into early June. No water-temperature reading was captured this cycle; consult the DNR's weekly temperature map before heading out. The waxing crescent moon keeps low-light windows productive at dawn and dusk.

May 19

Brook and rainbow trout stacked over deep water at Hampton Pond in Westfield on May 13, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, with trolling producing consistent action — including fish responding to a Bobby Garland Baby Shad fished near the surface. USGS gauge 01111500 reads 83.7 cfs and gauge 01105500 reads 14.5 cfs this morning, both within manageable spring ranges with no flood-stage concerns. No gauge water temperatures are available. Waxing Crescent moon and mid-May timing put Central MA squarely in a transitional window: trout remain accessible in ponds and lakes ahead of full summer stratification, while largemouth and smallmouth bass are pushing through spawn or into early post-spawn. Regional freshwater reports from The Fisherman — New England Freshwater echo that theme — stocked trout are still producing across southern New England and bass are responding more aggressively as water temperatures climb. Expect this mixed-bag window to hold at least through the coming weekend.

May 19

Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown reported the Salmon River TMA and TTA were freshly stocked on May 13, with one regular pulling as many trout as he wanted from that stretch. Largemouth bass are a different story — most are in full spawn mode now, which is making them "trickier" to entice than the eager prespawn fish of a few weeks back. The bigger shift in angler attention, per Fishin' Factory 3, is toward the Connecticut River, where shad, carp, and even stripers are drawing crowds away from traditional trout waters. At Saugatuck Reservoir in Norwalk, Fisherman's World reports that bass fishing — both largemouth and smallmouth — is "steadily improving" as water warms; shiners are leading the way, though Keitech paddletails and Lunker City swim baits are also producing. USGS gauge 01184000 on the Connecticut River recorded 60°F and 27,700 cfs as of this morning — prime conditions for the spring shad migration.

May 19

Flow on the Colorado River near Cameo touched 3,200 cfs at 51°F early this morning, per USGS gauge 09095500 — a notable jump from the approximately 1,380 cfs Crystal Fly Shop (CO) recorded near Glenwood Springs in late April, signaling that snowmelt is actively building toward runoff. That rise hasn't killed the fishing, but it is changing the game. Cutthroat Anglers (CO), guiding Summit County rivers since 1999, offered the most direct seasonal read in their May update: Colorado's 2026 snowpack is "historically bad," meaning the runoff window will likely run shorter in duration and lower in peak volume than most years. The practical upside — tailwater reaches fed by reservoir releases are holding clearer water and should remain productive while the mainstem colors up. Midge and BWO presentations remain core patterns on tailwaters, per Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO), with caddis beginning to enter the mix as water temperatures edge above 50°F.

May 19

USGS gauge 11447650 logged 5,370 cfs and 66°F before dawn on May 19 — water temps that mark the typical late-season close of the striper spawn run and the start of an aggressive post-spawn bass window across the Delta's tidal sloughs. No Delta-specific angler reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions below draw on gauge data and well-established seasonal patterns for this fishery. At 66°F, striped bass finishing their upstream migration are expected to be staging back toward the main channels; topwater at first light and swimbaits on deeper structure mid-morning historically produce during this transition. Largemouth are likely shifting from spawn to recovery in tule-edged backwaters, where the concurrent bluegill spawn — noted as "in full swing" for late-May largemouth fisheries by Tactical Bassin — creates a reliable topwater trigger near the banks. Channel catfish grow more aggressive as temps hold through the mid-60s.

May 19

USGS gauge 04232050 logged 62°F at 32.4 cfs in the early hours of May 19, placing the Finger Lakes corridor squarely in one of its most productive spring windows. That temperature sits at the heart of the smallmouth bass pre-spawn transition — males are likely staging on rocky shoals and gravel points across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles, making them aggressive and accessible. Tactical Bassin identifies this as peak timing for big smallmouth in clear northern fisheries, recommending swimbaits to cover water quickly and finesse presentations once schools are located. Walleye, now post-spawn, should be actively feeding along structure through the weekend. Lake trout are approaching the upper edge of their comfort zone and may begin retreating toward deeper, cooler water if surface temps continue their seasonal climb. No direct Finger Lakes shop or charter reports are available this week; conditions here are drawn from temperature data and broader regional seasonal patterns.

May 19

USGS gauge 04294500 logged 54°F in the Lake Champlain watershed early on May 19 — right in the thick of the pre-spawn sweet spot for smallmouth bass. At that temperature, fish are moving from deep winter haunts onto rocky banks, gravel points, and sunken humps but have not yet locked onto beds. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that "smallmouth bass action keeps steadily improving" across the region as water gradually climbs, with live shiners leading the bait column and Keitech swimbaits and Lunker City paddletails getting results on the artificial side. Landlocked salmon, Lake Champlain's other signature spring species, are still comfortable at 54°F and should be holding in open-water transition zones in the upper water column, reachable by trollers. Tactical Bassin notes that pre-spawn smallmouth school in predictable staging areas, making it productive to cover water quickly with swimbaits before zeroing in on concentrations. The waxing crescent moon means darker nights — a slight edge for low-light windows at dawn and dusk.

May 19

USGS gauge 07060710 clocked 71°F water and a near-trickle 5.06 cfs on the North Fork River early Tuesday, placing the tailwater trout fishery in a thermal pinch heading into the Memorial Day weekend. At 71°F, rainbow trout are bumping against their upper stress threshold, and the combination of minimal generation and warming May air means fish are concentrated wherever cold-water seams persist close to the dam face and in deeper, shaded pools. None of this cycle's regional feeds carried direct White River tackle-shop or guide reports, but Flylab (Substack) reinforces what every tailwater regular knows: midges are a year-round staple, and trout "always seem to take them" whether larva, pupa, or adult. MidCurrent's recent tying roundup singles out sparse midge-style patterns as standouts in "the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces." Dawn sessions on fine tippet are the play right now.

May 19

Water temps holding at 64°F across LA Bight buoy stations are energizing a surf bite that Surf Fishing in So Cal describes as 'starting to come together in a big way' after a patchy April, with the best fishing of the season potentially still ahead. Corbina and leopard shark headline the inshore action along Southern California beaches, with corbina responding well to sand crab presentations during calm mid-tide windows. Offshore, the headline story is an unusually early pelagic push: Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reported bluefin and yellowfin tuna already within one-day range southwest of San Diego by late April, with the first San Diego fleet albacore in several years gaffed April 30 aboard the Tribute out of Mission Bay. The same source flagged California water temps running 10-plus degrees above normal — anomalous even by El Niño standards — raising genuine optimism for early yellowtail and pelagic action extending into Channel Islands range. Waxing crescent moon provides favorable low-light windows through the end of the week.

May 19

NOAA buoy 45005 logged a lake-surface temperature of 58°F in the western Lake Erie region on May 19, placing walleye firmly in their most active post-spawn feeding mode. Angler intel specific to the Western Basin is limited in this cycle's feeds, but Fishing the Midwest confirms that slow trolling is a reliable spring walleye approach, and the basin's seasonal rhythms strongly support fish on the move right now. The Maumee River — the Western Basin's dominant tributary and primary spawning corridor — is running at a moderate 1,930 cfs (USGS gauge 04193500), meaning the spring flood pulse has receded and walleye that pushed upriver for the spawn are filtering back into open-water structure. Typical for mid-May in this region, fish are staging on shallow reefs and sand flats in the 8–15-foot range. Jigging with blade baits or trolling stick baits along the river plume edge are the proven approaches for this post-spawn phase.

May 19

USGS gauge 01546500 logged 103 cfs early on May 19 — a moderate, wadeable flow that holds Spring Creek and Penns Creek in fishable shape heading into the week. No water temperature came through from the gauge, but limestone springs typically lock these corridors in the low-to-mid 50s°F range through May, supporting prime brown trout activity. Mid-May marks the heart of sulphur season on central Pennsylvania's limestone corridor, and Gink and Gasoline recently noted that warm-weather spikes earlier this spring pushed Ephemerella hatches ahead of their typical calendar on similar spring-creek water — worth factoring in if you're timing an evening visit. Compounding the picture, Flylords Mag reports severe drought tightening its grip across much of the Mid-Atlantic, raising concern that flows could tighten further in the weeks ahead. Fish this window while conditions hold. The evening rise — sulphur duns and spinner falls over flat limestone glides — is the signature payoff of the season.

May 19

NOAA buoy 46041 recorded 8.2-foot seas off the Washington outer coast at 07:50 UTC this morning, with buoy 46087 near the Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance logging 6.6-foot swell — conditions that push the Pacific coast fleet toward protected anchorages and careful launch timing. Air temperatures at both buoys sat around 50–52°F. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks real-time creel data statewide, though specific catch tallies from this week were not detailed in the available feed; anglers should consult that resource directly for the latest harvest figures. Mid-May is historically a strong window for spring Chinook (blackmouth) in Puget Sound, and Pacific halibut season is underway on the outer coast. WA Sea Grant's Crab Team documented Pacific tomcod at two Grays Harbor monitoring sites last fall — a forage fish signal that speaks to the estuary productivity salmon depend on. No charter captain or tackle shop reports were available in this week's data pull.

May 19

Virginia DWR's spring striped bass (rockfish) report has fish stacking on channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky structures throughout Virginia's tidal rivers — biologists are tracking the run from both shore and boat right now. Per OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration update, trophy-class fish that overwintered in the Chesapeake have been pushing north toward New Jersey and Long Island, narrowing the window for big fish at the mouth. Slot-sized and resident rockfish remain active on structure. Buoy 44009 recorded a light-to-moderate breeze around 12 knots and air at 61°F at 7:50 a.m. — manageable spring conditions; no water temperature reading was available from the buoy at time of publication. The waxing crescent moon means modest tidal swings this week, giving anglers predictable current-transition windows before the approaching full moon amplifies the next significant bait push.

May 19

With USGS gauge 01135300 recording just 99.4 cfs on the Connecticut River this morning — well below typical mid-May runoff levels — Vermont anglers are finding the water running low and clear heading into the Memorial Day stretch. No temperature reading is available from the gauge. Per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, a Connecticut River tackle shop reported customers in the Massachusetts and Connecticut reaches actively targeting shad and carp, with largemouth bass now cycling into the spawn and proving trickier to entice than in the prespawn weeks. Trout are stacking in deeper water across the region; a Massachusetts angler on May 13 located brook and rainbow trout holding in cold, deep water where the bite required patient trolling and varied presentations, per the same source. On Lake Champlain, smallmouth bass are likely pressing through the spawn window; Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across northern fisheries, with big bass responding to topwater lures worked over shallow, heavy cover. The waxing crescent moon sets up productive low-light dawn windows worth targeting through the weekend.

May 19

NOAA buoy 46002 is logging 56°F water along the outer Oregon Coast this morning, with buoy 46029 confirming 55°F near the Columbia River Bar — both readings squarely in the band that supports active spring Chinook salmon and productive nearshore rockfish. Winds across the buoy network are light to moderate at 2–8 m/s, with no significant swell data recorded, suggesting workable conditions for the near term. For the closest regional analog available this week, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that Half Moon Bay captains noted markedly improved salmon activity after Pacific water temps dropped into the mid-50s following a warmer early-season stretch — a temperature pattern now mirrored across Oregon's buoy array. With stable readings and surface temps holding firm, anglers targeting Chinook in nearshore lanes and rockfish over rocky structure should find favorable conditions. Tight-line jigging over structure is the standard approach when temperatures are this settled.

May 19

USGS gauge 02142900 clocked just 2.06 cfs on the Catawba system early Tuesday morning — exceptionally lean for mid-May and a cue to concentrate on deeper pools and channel edges rather than scattered shallow flats. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge, but typical NC Piedmont conditions this week put surface temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, timing squarely with the post-spawn transition for largemouth and the opening of the shad and bluegill spawn cycles. The strongest NC freshwater signal in this cycle comes from MLF News, which reports that Mount Airy's Troy Watson won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on High Rock Lake by keying an early-morning shad spawn bite before making a midday depth adjustment. High Rock sits on the Yadkin drainage rather than Catawba or Roanoke, but shad spawn timing typically runs in lockstep across NC Piedmont reservoirs. Crappie are likely easing into post-spawn lethargy, while landlocked stripers and channel catfish should be picking up steam as water temps climb.

May 19

Water temperatures of 55–56°F (per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091) are keeping the Jersey Shore's spring striper run firing coast-wide into the third week of May. Blue Chip Sportfishing describes the current bass action as "the best Striper Fishing possible," with fish on every trip. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf confirms fresh clam is the dominant daylight producer from Sandy Hook to the LBI beaches, while swim plugs and glide baits shine on the night shift. Black drum have entered the surf mix — The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports oversize fish to 46 inches from Cape May to Atlantic City eating clams and bunker. The newly opened sea bass season (check NJ state regs for current size and bag limits) is off to a rough start; captains speaking to The Fisherman — Northern NJ report ling dominating catches while sea bass run well below last year's pace. Everyone is eyeing the warmth forecast into Memorial Day weekend as a potential turning point.

May 19

Striped bass are running hard through the tidal Delaware River from Trenton south through Lambertville, with Old School Outdoors in Ewing reporting solid action that should hold into early June. American shad remain in the mix on the upper river but are expected to taper off around early June — anglers have a closing window on this migration. Largemouth bass are fully on spawning beds across area lakes and ponds, and Dow's Boat Rentals confirms crappie are schooling near bridges and pilings as they begin their transition toward summer haunts. Chain pickerel continue to hold in the cedar-stained Pine Barrens backwaters, consistent with late-spring patterns here. USGS gauge 01408000 on the Toms River clocked 26.8 cfs early this morning; The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater sources warn a dry stretch is pushing stream levels down regionwide, and smaller tributary fishing could tighten if rainfall stays absent through late May.

May 19

The USGS gauge at site 06796000 put the Platte River at 2,690 cfs early this morning — moderate, fishable flow that keeps riverside access open without the turbidity of peak spring flood pulses. Water temperature data wasn't available on this cycle, so carry a thermometer; mid-May on this corridor typically sees surface temps climbing through the 60s, which accelerates post-spawn bass movement and starts catfish staging. Nationally, Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Midwest fisheries — a trigger that pushes big largemouth into shallow, heavy cover and makes topwater and frog presentations productive. Fishing the Midwest describes this as an ideal early-season window for shallow casting presentations, and highlights spinning gear paired with jigs and live-bait rigs as the go-to walleye approach along current edges. No regional charter or shop intel reached us this cycle; the outlook below draws on available sources and seasonal patterns for this corridor.

May 19

Air temperatures near 78°F over the Mississippi Sound and a moderate 3.3-foot chop recorded at NOAA buoy 42067 signal a typical mid-May Gulf Coast setup. Regional fishing coverage points toward structure as the most productive focus right now — Coastal Angler Magazine notes that May is peak time for gag grouper and scamp to stack on ledges, wrecks, and rock outcrops wherever cigar minnows and sardines have congregated, advising anglers that "a live sardine or live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of fish." Inshore across the Sound's grass flats and oyster edges, late May typically brings speckled trout and redfish into reliable feeding patterns. A waxing crescent moon is building tidal push, which Salt Strong's inshore coverage suggests is the right moment to match fish position against specific tide stages rather than hunting blind. No Mississippi Sound–specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available at publication; confirm conditions locally before launching.

May 19

Water temps at 52°F (NOAA buoy 44013) mark a key warming threshold for Cape Cod Bay, and stripers have responded in force. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reports stripers — along with spotty bluefish — making "impressive appearances" along the Cape Cod Bay shoreline and through Buzzards Bay, with the Canal delivering steady action at both ends. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters (per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands) logged fish from schoolies up to the high-30-inch class, mixed with legal sea bass and jumbo scup. Red Top Sporting Goods confirms bass are "working bait almost all over Buzzards Bay," with mackerel beginning to push into the Canal's east end — a strong signal that the forage base is stacking up. The Fisherman (Northeast) describes New England's spring striper run as "supercharged," with sizes averaging upper-teens to 20 pounds and 40-pound class fish now entering local waters. Tautog remain a solid secondary bite, with action holding strong on green crab.

May 19

Water temps at 51°F near Portland (NOAA buoy 44007) and 45°F further down east (NOAA buoy 44027) haven't slowed one of the more impressive spring striper arrivals in recent memory. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, stripers up to 40 inches have pushed as far north as the Saco River in Maine, with the spring run declared officially underway. The Fisherman (Northeast) describes New England's 2026 striper season as "supercharged," with fish averaging upper-teens to 20 pounds and 40-pound-class bass now entering regional waters. On The Water confirmed migratory fish arriving in Maine as of May 15, completing the coastal push. River-mouth herring runs are still "very much on" per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, making herring imitations the first-call bait. Mackerel are showing close to shore, and haddock reportedly lit up over the past 10 days, adding a solid offshore option for those willing to make the run.

May 19

Red snapper season kicked off with 8,307 pounds landed in the first three days of the 2026 opener, per Louisiana Sportsman — a solid early showing for offshore anglers. NOAA buoy 42001 logged 80°F water this morning, while buoy 42067 recorded 3.3-foot swells and winds around 13 mph, keeping offshore conditions fishable but lively. Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as prime time for gag grouper and scamp, advising anglers to work structure — ledges, wrecks, and rock outcrops — wherever cigar minnows and sardines are concentrated, noting that a live sardine near fish "has a life expectancy of under ten seconds." Inshore, the warming delta marshes are pulling speckled trout and redfish into their early-summer staging patterns. With a waxing crescent moon providing minimal nighttime light, dawn-to-midmorning windows should offer the sharpest feeding activity across the region this week.

May 19