Fishing Reports

USGS gauge 07374000 logged 479,000 cfs and 72°F at Baton Rouge in the early hours of May 19 — elevated spring flow forcing fish off main-channel structure and deep into the Atchafalaya Basin's flooded hardwoods and oxbows. Louisiana Sportsman reported strong angler turnout statewide this week, with the 2026 red snapper season opening to 8,307 pounds landed in the first three days, signaling peak participation across Louisiana fisheries. On the freshwater side, 72°F puts largemouth bass squarely in the post-spawn transition with the bluegill spawn in full swing — Tactical Bassin confirms that topwater frogs and hollow-body presentations over matted vegetation are producing nationally right now, a setup that maps directly onto Atchafalaya flats. Wired 2 Fish notes post-spawn bass are staging in mixed-visibility water where swimbaits and chatterbaits are the confidence picks. High water typically concentrates blue catfish on current seams where the river pours into slack backwaters; cut bait on bottom rigs in those transition zones is the standard play.

May 19

USGS gauge 06892350 clocked the Kansas River at 76°F and 2,300 cfs early Tuesday — temperatures that mark the tail end of the bass spawn and the onset of aggressive summer catfish feeding. At this thermal window, largemouth and channel cats are the primary targets. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing right now, a key feeding trigger for big bass in shallow, heavy cover; topwater frogs and walking-style baits are drawing strikes in matted vegetation and woody structure. Fishing the Midwest highlights that shallow-flat casting is a dependable early-season approach for mixed-bag action on crappie and bass before fish transition deeper with warming water. White bass in river current remain a realistic secondary target, responding well to blade baits and small jigs fished through current seams. The waxing crescent moon limits surface light overnight, nudging the most productive windows toward first light and the final hour before dark.

May 19

The Illinois River is running at 25,700 cfs (USGS gauge 05586100) — a substantial spring flow concentrating gamefish in protected backwaters, flooded timber, and slack-water bays where current is manageable. No water-temperature reading is available at the gauge; expect turbid main-channel conditions with clearer water in tributary sloughs and creek mouths. Fishing the Midwest recommends targeting shallow flats and current breaks for crappies and walleyes this time of year, with jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs among the top walleye producers for Midwest rivers running high. On Lake Michigan, IL/IN Sea Grant confirms its three nearshore monitoring buoys are now deployed for the season, providing real-time surface-temperature and wave-height data as the lake enters its late-spring window. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Midwest waters, pushing largemouth and smallmouth bass to shallow cover where topwater frogs and walking baits are drawing aggressive strikes. A waxing crescent moon provides low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

May 19

The USGS gauge on the Salmon River recorded 16,900 cfs and 48°F water on the evening of May 18 — high, cold conditions that define the drainage's snowmelt peak. Spring Chinook salmon are the marquee target at this stage; these fish push through the lower Salmon Canyon from April into June, navigating turbid runoff flows to reach spawning grounds deep in the central Idaho mountains. No direct shop or charter reports from the region surfaced in this week's feeds, but Caddis Fly (OR) is already tying and discussing articulated salmonfly nymph patterns, noting these giant stonefly nymphs have been making their spring emergence across Pacific Northwest drainages — a signal that the salmonfly hatch on Snake and Salmon tributaries could arrive within the next two to four weeks. With flows this high, classic technique favors heavy presentations in protected slack water, inside seams behind boulders, and eddy lines where fish hold without fighting peak current. Smallmouth bass in the lower Snake canyon will remain sluggish until water temperatures climb above 55°F.

May 19

The Savannah River is running at 4,050 cfs as of the pre-dawn hours of May 19 (USGS gauge 02197000), with the Clyo gauge at 3.6 feet and falling as of May 14 per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Georgia Wildlife Blog noted another strong week of fishing across the state on May 15, with warming conditions pushing the post-spawn transition into full swing. Joshua Barber's May 10 Southern Waters report (GA Sportsman) flags that hot weather will drive fish progressively deeper — early-morning topwater and spinnerbait runs near structure are the play before midday. Spring crappie remain accessible per Georgia Wildlife Blog, which noted fish stacking on brush piles, fallen timber, and dock pilings in 3–8 feet during the spawn window. Catfish should be findable in deeper river bends as levels stabilize, typical for this point in the season on the Savannah system.

May 19

With the bluegill spawn in full swing, Tactical Bassin reports largemouth bass are locked into shallow heavy cover and eating topwater frogs at a high clip — a pattern that translates directly to Lake Okeechobee's hydrilla flats and the slower reaches of the St. Johns. Field & Stream documented a new Florida state record for blue catfish — 73.6 pounds caught on a live, hand-sized bream earlier this season — underscoring how productive live panfish can be as bait across the state's freshwater systems right now. The USGS gauge on the St. Johns (site 02232000) recorded 108 cfs as of early this morning, signaling stable, low flows on that system. On Okeechobee, mid-May marks the post-spawn push, with bass filtering off spawning flats into nearby vegetation edges. With the waxing crescent moon providing modest overnight pull, weedless frog presentations through submerged mats and lily-pad fields remain the top morning play.

May 19

Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, reports vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point — water temperatures have settled at 54°F, down from the 58°F recorded when the season opened April 11, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. The cooler shift pushed bonita out of the area but is drawing salmon back into productive range. NOAA buoys confirm the trend: buoy 46026 recorded 50°F surface water with 6.9-foot wave heights Tuesday morning, buoy 46042 read 51°F with 7 m/s winds, and buoy 46028 showed warmer 59°F water farther south — a temperature gradient worth tracking as the season builds. Rough offshore seas are a real factor this week, giving larger charter vessels a clear advantage when swell is elevated. A waxing crescent moon brings modest tidal movement, which typically concentrates bait along kelp edges and rocky structure through the weekend.

May 19

USGS gauge 09380000 clocked the Colorado River at 8,770 cfs and 54°F on the evening of May 18 — high but fishable flow that strongly favors boat anglers over waders at Lee's Ferry. The tailwater rainbow trout fishery below Glen Canyon Dam is typically at its most productive in these mid-spring conditions: 54°F sits squarely in the trout feeding window, and elevated current concentrates fish in seams and eddies where nymphs and small streamers shine. No Arizona-specific angler intel reached us from this cycle's source feeds, so this update leans on gauge data and seasonal patterns. Downstream on the Salt River chain of lakes, largemouth and smallmouth bass are typically transitioning off spawning beds by mid-May, pushing toward channel edges and deeper brush piles. Channel catfish remain broadly active across both systems as water temperatures begin their slow climb toward summer. Check current Arizona Game and Fish regulations before keeping any catch.

May 19

Water temperatures across the Gulf of Alaska are running 41–43°F as of May 19, per NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 — cold but seasonally normal for this stretch of the North Pacific in late spring. Conditions at these temperatures are well-suited for Chinook salmon staging along nearshore corridors ahead of river systems, and for Pacific halibut building on offshore banks as the season moves toward its early-summer peak. Alaska Sea Grant's recent coverage of ComFish in Kodiak reflects a fishing community actively mobilizing for the productive months ahead, though no charter or tackle-shop bite reports were captured in this update's data pull. Species status entries below reflect mid-May seasonal patterns for the Gulf rather than confirmed on-the-water testimony. Winds registered at 5–9 m/s across buoy stations with no wave height readings available. Verify current sea state before any offshore departure — Gulf of Alaska conditions can deteriorate quickly.

May 19

USGS gauge 15266300 on the Kenai River recorded 2,790 cfs and 44°F water temperature as of May 18 — cold, steady spring conditions that align with the traditional opening window for the Kenai's early king salmon run. Kings typically begin staging and pushing into the lower river during the second and third weeks of May, and the current gauge reading suggests the river is in manageable shape for both drift boats and bank anglers. AK Sea Grant's recent coverage of the ComFish competition in Kodiak reflects a broader Alaska fishing community actively gearing up for the season. No direct sport-fishing field reports from the Kenai corridor or interior rivers appeared in the angler-intel feeds this cycle — conditions here are synthesized from gauge data and typical mid-May seasonal patterns. Anglers should verify current emergency orders and regulation updates with state fish and game before heading out, as in-season adjustments on the Kenai king run are common.

May 19

Tactical Bassin documented the bluegill spawn in full swing this week, with big largemouth pushing into shallow heavy cover and taking topwater frogs and walking baits in thick vegetation. That same pattern — post-spawn bass keying on bluegill — is the dominant story across the Tennessee River system right now. Swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations are all producing fish, with water clarity dictating the call: clean-water sections reward drop-shots and small-profile baits, while stained stretches respond to reaction presentations. The pattern received tournament-level confirmation when Carter Nutt claimed his first MLF Pro Circuit win at Douglas Lake on the Tennessee River drainage (per Outdoor Hub), building his winning bag on that same post-spawn approach. USGS gauge 02339500 shows current flow at 1,090 cfs — moderate and fishable. No temperature reading is available at the gauge; typical mid-May conditions on these rivers put surface temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, well into prime post-spawn feeding range.

May 19

The USGS gauge on the Sabine River (site 08025500) recorded just 8.69 cfs on the evening of May 18 — an extremely low reading suggesting drought-lean inflow along the border reach. On a reservoir like Toledo Bend, reduced inflow typically concentrates fish around standing timber and brush piles as the waterline slowly recedes. The timing is favorable: mid-May marks the heart of the bluegill spawn, and Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass breakdown confirms that largemouth follow bluegill aggressively onto shallow flats through this window, with frogs and hollow-belly topwaters as the highest-percentage presentations. Post-spawn bass are transitioning from beds to adjacent wood structure, staying shallow as long as bluegill remain active on beds. The waxing crescent moon supports productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk — plan launches around these transitions. Crappie have likely retreated to deeper brush following their own spawn, while blue and channel catfish grow increasingly active as water temperatures climb through late May.

May 19

GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News flagged in their May 10 Southern Waters report that hot weather was arriving in Georgia and fish would likely begin moving to deeper water — a pattern now taking hold across the Hartwell-Russell chain. The Savannah River gauge (USGS site 02192000) recorded a stable 415 cfs as of May 18, reflecting controlled dam releases and steady pool levels ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Bass are working through the classic post-spawn transition, shifting off beds toward main-lake points, channel drops, and secondary structure as they follow shad schools. The Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing highlighted a productive spring statewide, including an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken on a spinner bait in Morgan County just after late-April rains cleared. Crappie, which the Georgia Wildlife Blog described staging in 3–8 feet around brush piles and docks during the peak spring spawn, are edging slightly deeper now as surface temperatures climb toward summer levels.

May 19

USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a reverse flow of -54,800 cfs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta on May 18 — a strong tidal-push signature that shifts fish out of main channels and into protected secondary sloughs, tule banks, and dock structures. Water temperature data was unavailable this cycle. Delta-specific angler intel did not come through in this feed window, so conditions here blend gauge readings with established mid-May seasonal patterns for this system. Striped bass are typically at or near their annual peak in the Delta by the third week of May, staging along current breaks and rip lines. Post-spawn largemouth are beginning their early-summer transition to shaded cover, and channel catfish are responding to warming shallows. The waxing crescent moon favors early morning and evening bite windows. Verify current conditions at your launch ramp before heading out, as reverse flows can shift fish locations from day to day.

May 19

The Androscoggin headwaters gauge (USGS 01054200) recorded 262 cfs late on May 18 — a moderate late-spring flow that keeps riffle wading manageable without blowing out holding water. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME)'s early-spring 2026 report placed ice-out on Dundee Pond as early as April 4, putting the Rangeley chain roughly seven weeks into its post-ice window — the heart of landlocked salmon season and prime time for brook trout in tributary mouths and lake outlets. No water temperature was captured at the gauge this cycle; mid-May conditions in this drainage typically hold the upper 40s to low 50s°F, a range that keeps salmonids near the surface in low-light periods. Field & Stream's current overview of brook trout in the Northeast underscores that brookies — the region's native char — remain the backbone of these headwater drainages despite competition from introduced species. Waxing crescent moon overhead favors concentrated dawn activity. Check current Maine IFW slot and bag rules before heading out.

May 19

USGS gauge 01030500 on the Penobscot recorded 2,910 cfs late on May 18, reflecting active spring runoff through the upper watershed. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge; mid-50s°F conditions are typical for this drainage in the third week of May, keeping cold-water species well within their prime feeding windows. The current intel feeds contained no direct on-the-ground reports from Moosehead Lake or upper Penobscot tributaries — coverage this cycle ran heavily toward coastal and southern New England saltwater fisheries. Drawing on seasonal patterns and the gauge signal, togue (lake trout) and landlocked Atlantic salmon remain the flagship targets on Moosehead right now, with both species still keying on cold-water structure before summer stratification sets in. Brook trout should be active in upper-watershed tributaries. The waxing crescent moon favors feeding activity, and the window before Memorial Day weekend is a historically productive stretch for smelt-pattern trolling and streamer work near inlet streams. Verify current regulations with state authorities before heading out, as spring rules can vary by water body.

May 19

The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a standout 2024 harvest across the lake — more than 210,000 coho salmon (a record) and over 160,000 Chinook (the best since 2012), fueled by strong recent alewife classes. That healthy forage base carries into 2026 and benefits the entire southern Lake Michigan system, including the Indiana shoreline. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for the nearshore Indiana zone at report time; water temperature and wave height should be confirmed locally or via IL/IN Sea Grant's nearshore buoys before launching. Mid-May is historically prime territory on this stretch — coho and Chinook work the southern end of the lake near pier structures and offshore thermoclines, while smallmouth bass are moving through or past spawning mode. Tactical Bassin notes the Great Lakes as a premier clear-water environment for big smallmouth and highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations as the post-spawn transition unfolds.

May 19

Mid-May on Lake Michigan near Chicago puts anglers squarely in the heart of the spring salmon run. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report provides the clearest season-shaping signal: more than 210,000 coho salmon were harvested lakewide in 2024 — a record — and over 160,000 Chinook were landed, the highest total since 2012, with strong alewife classes credited for exceptional post-stocking survival. Those year-classes are now maturing into catchable fish for 2026. No NOAA buoy temperature readings are available at press time; IL/IN Sea Grant notes that spring buoy deployment of their three nearshore Lake Michigan stations is underway, with real-time data expected online shortly. Smallmouth bass are another key target as the post-spawn window opens along rocky nearshore structure, and yellow perch remain accessible near the Chicago lakefront breakwalls through mid-spring.

May 19

The USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam reads 636 cfs at a cold 48°F — a figure that reflects hypolimnetic dam releases rather than open lake surface conditions, which typically run considerably warmer by mid-May. Bass fishing across Georgia is in the post-spawn transition, and per Tactical Bassin, the bluegill spawn is now "in full swing," opening a prime window for topwater frogs and heavy-cover largemouth. The GHSA Bass Fishing State Championship at Lake Sinclair on May 9 drew 111 anglers and produced strong limits, confirming solid statewide reservoir productivity this spring per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing documented an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth on a spinnerbait in late April under post-rain conditions — fish were actively shallow heading into May. Crappie staged in 3–8 feet around structure through late April per Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing are likely completing their spawn and beginning to scatter toward deeper summer haunts.

May 19

The USGS gauge on the Little Tennessee drainage (03512000) logged water at 68°F and 181 cfs late Sunday evening — a temperature that puts Smokies trout squarely at the upper edge of their thermal comfort zone as late May settles in. Flylords Mag flagged the Southeast as one of the regions currently experiencing drought stress, which aligns with these elevated readings. With no tackle-shop or guide reports in this data cycle, gauge data is our primary window into current stream conditions. At 68°F, rainbow and brown trout retreat to shaded seams, spring-fed tributaries, and cool pool edges — particularly through midday. Morning windows before 10 a.m. will offer the most reliable activity. Caddis emergences, which Hatch Magazine details as critical dry-fly opportunities in late spring, should be triggering in lower-gradient stretches at dusk. Nymph techniques remain the most consistent all-day option, while higher-elevation brook trout water will run cooler and provide a productive midday alternative.

May 19

Schools of bull red drum are working the Cape Lookout shoals this week — Steve of Chasin' Tails reports strong beach and nearshore action at Morehead City/Atlantic Beach, with plenty of good-sized bluefish mixed in, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Up in Pamlico Sound, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized reds pushing through the entire Neuse River corridor. On the Outer Banks, Ryan of Hatteras Jack confirms the surf has come alive with a strong red drum push onto the beaches. Swansboro and Emerald Isle surf anglers are pulling sea mullet, black drum, and early pompano per Fisherman's Post, where Morgan of The Reel Outdoors notes the surf bite has finally picked up. Water temperature from NOAA buoy 41037 was unavailable this reading, but an air temp near 77°F and light winds of around 10 knots signal favorable mid-May conditions. The waxing crescent moon sets up productive low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk.

May 19

Water at NOAA buoy 44014 has climbed to 60°F offshore the Eastern Shore — a reliable trigger for peak late-spring action. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog confirms striped bass are actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and hard coastal structure throughout Virginia's tidal waters this spring, with DWR biologists reporting fish holding tight to rocky shorelines and structure. The broader migration picture reinforces this: On The Water's May 15 striper migration map shows the push fully extended through the Northeast, while OTW Saltwater reports Chesapeake-origin fish staged along the mid-Atlantic coast. With 3-foot seas at the offshore buoy, anglers may find calmer conditions in Chincoteague's back bays and inlet channels. Summer flounder are beginning their own push inshore — The Fisherman notes the fluke bite warming across the NJ/DE region, a leading indicator that typically reaches Virginia waters within days as the same baitfish-following pattern advances southward.

May 19

The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds throughout Virginia's major water systems — a pattern that holds for Buggs Island (John H. Kerr Reservoir) and Smith Mountain Lake, both well-established landlocked striper fisheries. USGS gauge 02075045 on the Staunton River upstream of Buggs Island logged 493 cfs Monday evening — a moderate late-spring inflow that keeps baitfish stacked in predictable channel structure without pushing unsettled conditions into the impoundment. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge at press time, though mid-May on these reservoirs typically falls in the upper 60s to low 70s — prime striper and bass feeding range. With the bluegill spawn now in full swing, Tactical Bassin reports largemouth moving aggressively on topwater frogs and shallow presentations over heavy cover. The waxing crescent moon favors early-morning and dusk bites. Check local regulations before targeting stripers, as slot and size limits apply on both lakes.

May 19

Water temperatures measured at 55°F by NOAA buoy 44065 early Monday, and the striper bite around Sandy Hook is delivering. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf's Tackle Box report has Sandy Hook tip producing elevated action heading into Memorial Day weekend, including a standout multi-species session on bobber-and-live-killie rigs that turned up bass, bluefish, fluke, black drum, and blackfish in one outing — plus quality fish to 30 pounds on metal lip swimmers at Bug Light. Blue Chip Sportfishing is calling it "the best Striper Fishing possible." OTW Northern New Jersey's May 14 report confirmed the bite has shifted from Raritan Bay to the beaches, where momentum continues to build with bunker schools active throughout northern NJ waters. The new sea bass season (opened May 15) is a different story: Capt. Ron's Atlantic Highlands fleet is grinding ling with throwback sea bass in the mix, and The Fisherman — Northern NJ reports the Golden Eagle sees numbers well below last season's early-May pace.

May 19