Fishing Reports

Water temps at 58°F per NOAA Buoy 44009 put the Delaware Bay's NJ shoreline in a prime spring window, and the fish are cooperating. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports Big Dave's Tackle calling the week 'firing on all cylinders' for striped bass, with oversized fish ranging 36 to 46 inches off the bayfront beaches on bloodworms, bloodworm balls, and clam. Higbee's Bait and Tackle at Fortescue backs that up with another stretch of oversize bass from the beaches. Black drum have entered the picture, with Dockside Café and Marina logging fish to 15 pounds on clam baits. Flounder has been the casualty of persistent winds; Tuckerton Bait and Tackle described 'whitecaps on the bay all week long' with dirty water limiting the bite — though early-morning anglers managed flounder limits to 20 inches on outgoing tides using live minnows and Gulp. The Fisherman (Northeast) notes black sea bass season opened May 15, giving bottom-fishers a fresh option as water warms.

May 19

Rod Teehan, reporting in The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, found brook and rainbow trout stacked over deep water at Hampton (Pequot) Pond in Westfield on May 13, marking fish on sonar but logging a modest three-and-three troll across two-plus hours — a signal that central Massachusetts reservoir trout are present but selective in this mid-spring window. Outflow at USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River below Quabbin registered 93.9 cfs on the evening of May 18, a moderate level suggesting stable reservoir conditions without notable flood or drawdown pressure. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge. On the warmwater front, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater contributors report largemouths "now spawning and proving trickier to entice than in prespawn" across southern New England — a pattern that typically applies with equal force to the coves and shallows of Wachusett Reservoir at this date. Check state access permits and special regulations before fishing either reservoir.

May 19

Water readings of 54–57°F across the bay (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) have unlocked a genuine striper push into Buzzards Bay. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters — reporting through The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands — enjoyed a week running from schoolies to high 30-inch class bass, with fish taken on topwater from Fairhaven to the Canal's west end during a worm hatch and a handful landed on the fly. Red Top Sporting Goods, also in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, confirmed bass schools working bait "almost all over Buzzards Bay," with the first bluefish of the season surfacing off Mattapoisett and Wareham. Correspondent Charley Soares noted spotty bluefish schools making their first real appearances alongside stripers on the Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay shorelines. The Canal is producing at both ends, mackerel have been reported in the east end, and jumbo scup have moved into the mix alongside scattered legal-size black sea bass. The spring run is firmly on.

May 19

USGS gauge 12484500 clocked 1,960 cfs on May 18 — a clear signal that Eastern Washington river systems are carrying a robust spring snowmelt load, with no water temperature data available from the gauge. No dedicated Eastern WA on-the-water reports came through our feeds this cycle, but MidCurrent's current fly-fishing coverage zeroes in on caddis emergences as the go-to late-May hatch sequence for inland trout rivers, and Hatch Magazine runs a detailed breakdown of caddis timing that aligns with what Eastern WA fly anglers typically encounter this week of the season. On the warm-water side, Tactical Bassin (blog) documents active post-spawn smallmouth patterns on clear-water western fisheries, citing swimbaits and finesse rigs as top producers as fish transition from spawning flats to main-channel structure — a seasonal playbook that translates well to the Snake and Columbia tributaries accessible from Yakima and Spokane. WA WDFW Fishing Reports is tracking statewide stocking activity; check there for the latest lake plants before your next outing.

May 19

USGS gauge 12041200 logged 1,000 cfs and USGS gauge 12035000 registered 722 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — moderate levels that typically keep Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers in fishable shape heading into the late-May push. No water temperature data was recorded at either gauge. Direct on-the-water reports for this corridor are sparse in current feeds; WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes that creel monitoring continues statewide, but specific session-by-session intel for these drainages was not available at press time. Seasonally, mid-to-late May is the heart of the spring Chinook window on Olympic Peninsula rivers, when returning kings that have been staging in the lower reaches begin pushing more aggressively upstream. Steelhead opportunity is shifting from the tail end of winter-run fish toward early summer-run arrivals, a transition period that typically rewards anglers willing to adapt presentations from heavier swung flies or eggs to lighter, faster-drifting setups.

May 19

Water temps holding at 76°F per NOAA buoy 42012, and Coastal Angler Magazine is calling May prime time for gag grouper and scamp throughout the Gulf. The publication puts it plainly: find ledges, rock outcrops, and wrecks holding cigar minnows and sardines, because "a live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of fish." Seas are running 3 to 3.3 feet with light 10-knot winds per buoys 42012 and 42039, giving offshore boats a manageable run to structure from Destin and Pensacola. A waxing crescent moon keeps tidal movement moderate but still enough to push bait and trigger feeding windows near passes and inlets. Red snapper season openings for the Gulf are typically limited — verify current federal and state windows before targeting them. May structure fishing should be the primary focus right now.

May 19

A new boat record at Boca Grande says it all: Capt. Brandon Naeve at CB's Saltwater Outfitters put angler Mike from Pittsburgh on a 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook on May 9th — May is prime time for the pass. NOAA buoy 42013 is logging 80°F water, the sweet spot that keeps inshore species active and aggressive ahead of the summer spawn. Meanwhile, Capt. Chuck Cress at CB's Saltwater Outfitters is reporting steady upper-slot Redfish action, with Trout and 20-to-25-inch Reds being caught and released across the flats. Jack Crevalle have also taken center stage in Sarasota Bay — CB's Saltwater Outfitters notes they're schooling near the surface through May, ambushing baitfish near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets. Early-morning topwater with poppers and fast-retrieved jigs is the play when birds are working. Calm Gulf conditions — winds under 2 m/s and 2.3-foot swells per NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — make this an ideal window for inshore and nearshore runs alike.

May 19

Mutton snappers are in full feed in the Florida Keys this May, with ALL IN Key West reporting the bite at 'an all-time high' ahead of the full moon spawn cycle. Yellowtail snappers are equally fired up, described by the same charter as 'practically jumping in the boat.' Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna have flooded South Florida waters — May through July is peak season, with fish ranging from the Keys northward along the Atlantic coast. Gulf-side trips from ALL IN Key West are producing mixed bags of grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in a single outing. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 show winds running 17–18 knots and air temps near 82°F, adding some chop to offshore runs but keeping conditions fishable overall. The waxing crescent moon is building toward the full moon, and the snapper spawn peak should only intensify in the days ahead.

May 19

USGS gauge 08158000 on the Colorado River at Austin recorded 761 cfs on the evening of May 18, reflecting moderate inflow into the Highland Lakes chain — not elevated enough to muddy the clear-to-lightly-stained water Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are known for this season. Water temperature is unavailable from the gauge, but mid-May typically pushes surface readings into the upper 70s°F across Hill Country impoundments. Direct angler intel for these three lakes is limited this cycle, but Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is fully underway — a reliable seasonal trigger that moves largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover and ignites aggressive topwater and hollow-body frog bites. Post-spawn fish not actively feeding shallow are transitioning to first-break structure: submerged points, creek-channel ledges, and flooded timber. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes 2026 has been a record year for Texas anglers broadly, pointing to favorable statewide fishery conditions entering this spring-to-summer window. Nearby, My Canyon Lake Fishing reports Canyon Lake ramps are open and conditions are ideal for on-water recreation, consistent with stable reservoir levels across the region.

May 19

NOAA buoy 46026 registered 50°F water off San Francisco in the early hours of May 19 — the cold upwelling signal NorCal Chinook anglers have been waiting for. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, told Western Outdoor News — Saltwater that salmon conditions have become "vastly improved" below Pigeon Point after water temperatures dropped from 58°F at the April 11 season opener to 54°F. Davis noted that the four-degree drop "makes a huge difference on the water" and confirmed that bonita, which had been showing in the warmer early-season water, have moved offshore — clearing near-shore zones for salmon. Buoy 46013 near Bodega Bay registered winds of 12 m/s overnight, making offshore runs choppy; morning departures ahead of the afternoon sea breeze are the recommended window. Inside the Gate, Bay halibut and striped bass enter their seasonal spring window, though no charter reports surfaced this week to confirm current bite intensity for either species.

May 19

WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing confirms a "popular fishery" for lake whitefish in Chequamegon Bay — on Lake Superior's western shore just south of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula — with open-water angler interest strong enough to prompt an ongoing DNR survey and management meetings through spring 2026. Meanwhile, USGS gauge 04059500 recorded 403 cfs on May 18, placing at least one UP-area tributary in a moderate spring-flow range — enough current to concentrate trout in eddies and pool heads without the high, off-color blow-out conditions that can shut down the bite. AnglingBuzz recently published Lake Superior-specific content covering shallow-water walleye and sturgeon tactics, signaling active pursuit of both species on the big lake. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across Great Lakes clear-water fisheries, which historically concentrates predators — especially smallmouth bass — on shallow structure. Brook trout, the UP's signature stream species, are in their prime mid-May window with early-season hatches beginning across UP tributaries.

May 19

An angler on the Michigan Sportsman Forum reported planning a Saginaw River run near the Edson area this coming Sunday — noting they expected the walleye push to be 'probably done' and asking whether white bass had moved in. That question, uncorroborated by any shop or agency report this week, is the sharpest on-the-ground signal available for Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay: the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report content was inaccessible in this data cycle, and USGS gauge 04157000 returned no flow or temperature readings. On the technique side, Tactical Bassin's recent coverage of Great Lakes clear-water smallmouth tactics — swimbaits and finesse presentations across a range of depths — translates directly to Lake Huron's thumb-area rocky shoreline, where bass are typically moving through spawn transition by mid-May. With a waxing crescent moon overhead, early-morning and dusk windows should provide the best bite timing across both Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron's nearshore structure.

May 19

The Grand River is running at 4,040 cfs as of May 18 per USGS gauge 04119000, marking a healthy late-spring flow that carries the final wave of steelhead toward Lake Michigan. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report highlighted a landmark 2024 salmon season — record coho numbers topping 210,000 harvested and the best Chinook returns since 2012, driven by strong alewife forage classes — suggesting a well-fed staging population in the nearshore zone heading into summer. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across Great Lakes fisheries, a reliable trigger that pulls largemouth and smallmouth bass onto shallow rock and wood structure in force. No water temperature data was available for this reporting window, but mid-May conditions in this corridor typically run 56–64°F — right in the zone for late-run steelhead and the onset of smallmouth spawning. The waxing crescent moon favors active feeding at dawn and dusk.

May 19

NOAA buoy 45005 put Western Basin surface temperatures at 57°F on May 19 — right in the wheelhouse for actively feeding walleye following the spring spawn. Waves were running 1.6 feet with winds around 20 mph, creating manageable if lumpy trolling conditions for boats willing to handle some chop. Post-spawn walleye typically disperse from nearshore reef staging areas and push into open-water feeding lanes once lake temps climb into the mid-50s, and this year's mid-May read sits squarely in that zone. Fishing the Midwest contributor Mike Frisch notes slow-trolling as a go-to spring walleye technique during transitional windows like this one. The Maumee River tributary (USGS gauge 04193500) was flowing at 2,240 cfs, a moderate rate that pushes color into the western end of the basin and can concentrate forage fish near the plume edge. No Western Basin charter or shop reports surfaced in this cycle's feeds; condition synthesis here draws on environmental readings and seasonal patterns.

May 19

Flow in the Bald Eagle Creek watershed (USGS gauge 01546500) registered 81.2 cfs on the evening of May 18 — a workable level for wading Spring Creek and Penns Creek, though Flylords Mag recently flagged intense drought conditions gripping much of the Mid-Atlantic with limited relief in sight. No water temperature reading was captured in this gauge cycle. The more encouraging news: mid-May is the seasonal apex on these limestone fisheries, and Gink and Gasoline reported that 2026's unseasonably warm spring pushed Sulphur and Light Cahill emergences well ahead of their traditional late-April onset — meaning the hatch may already be running near peak or transitioning to spinner falls by now. Hatch Magazine's recent guide to caddis emergence behavior points to tan and olive caddis as a reliable complement during the same evening window. The waxing crescent moon sets early, leaving dark, calm evenings that favor the last 90 minutes of light as the prime feeding window on these heavily pressured, clear-water streams.

May 19

USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny River registered 19,800 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — elevated well above seasonal norms and the dominant factor shaping the Pittsburgh tailwater bite this week. With no direct on-the-water reports surfacing from the Allegheny or Ohio corridors in this cycle's intel feeds, conditions are being read through the gauge and the calendar. At nearly 20,000 cfs, the main stem is running fast and likely turbid, pushing smallmouth bass and walleye out of open current and into slack-water eddies, bridge pylons, and wing dams. May marks the classic post-spawn transition for Pittsburgh-area bass; Tactical Bassin notes that this stretch of the season rewards anglers who concentrate on structure and slow presentations — swimbaits and finesse rigs over fast horizontal lures. PA Sea Grant flagged ongoing Round Goby pressure in Pennsylvania river systems, a reminder to clean all gear when moving between watersheds.

May 19

NOAA buoy 45005 logged 58°F on central Lake Erie early Tuesday, placing Presque Isle Bay squarely in the pre-spawn smallmouth window. Tactical Bassin flags this as prime time for Great Lakes clear-water smallmouth, pointing to swimbaits and finesse presentations as top producers right now. The same outlet notes that bass across the region are zeroing in on the bluegill spawn, making shallow, heavy-cover zones productive for morning topwater sessions — a pattern that applies directly to Presque Isle's rocky bay shoreline. PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports remains the authoritative local source for current walleye, perch, and stocking data by district; their biologist updates should be checked before launching. Winds near 18 mph at the buoy are keeping open-lake conditions choppy; the bay's protected interior offers calmer water for most rigs. USGS gauge 04213000 on a local tributary shows 161 cfs — manageable flow for anglers still exploring Erie creek mouths for late-season steelhead.

May 19

USGS gauge 04231600 logged 63°F water and a flow of 4,600 cfs on May 18 — conditions that place Western NY's Lake Erie tributaries and Niagara-corridor waters squarely in the heart of the smallmouth bass prespawn window. At this temperature range, smallmouth stages on shallow rocky structure and outside weed edges ahead of the spawn. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes content highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations as high-percentage plays during this prespawn phase, noting that fish school tightly — locating one often means locating many. Walleye, typically in a post-spawn feeding mode by mid-May on Lake Erie, should be working tributary mouths and nearshore flats aggressively. Yellow perch remain a reliable all-day target through this stretch. No charter or regional tackle-shop reports reached our feeds this cycle; conditions described here reflect gauge data and seasonal norms — verify current activity with a local shop before launching.

May 19

NOAA buoys 46041 and 46087 logged light overnight winds of 6 and 3 m/s respectively on May 19, with air temperatures holding at 12°C and 11.1°C — comfortable surface conditions heading into the late-May window. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both stations this cycle. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department's ongoing statewide creel survey program, though no species-specific bite bulletins were available at pull time. Late May is typically when Puget Sound marine areas see the spring Chinook fishery building toward its June peak, with Pacific halibut quota days running concurrently and lingcod holding on nearshore structure. A waxing crescent moon favors dawn and dusk feeding windows over the next several days. WA Sea Grant's active Salish Sea research on larval forage fish dynamics signals an engaged baitfish chain — a positive underlying indicator for salmon and larger predator activity as the region moves deeper into the spring run.

May 19

USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 57°F water and a flow of 1,200 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — placing this Columbia tributary in a productive late-spring window. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide angler activity through creel interviews and documents hatchery stockings across Columbia and Puget Sound drainages, though specific catch data from the current feed is limited. Based on seasonal norms and gauge readings, 57°F sits squarely in the range where spring Chinook remain metabolically active before summer warmth pushes fish to deeper lies. Columbia basin smallmouth bass are pushing through the final stages of spawning or entering early post-spawn feeding at this temperature. American shad, which typically push up the Columbia mainstem in May and June, may be beginning to appear at accessible reaches. The waxing crescent moon favors crepuscular feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Anglers planning a trip should verify current regulations and access conditions through WA WDFW Fishing Reports before heading out.

May 19

The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog is spotlighting spring striped bass across Virginia's tidal system, with rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and hard structure at the Bay mouth — textbook late-May staging behavior. NOAA buoy 44009 puts water temperature at 58°F, a productive transitional zone for both lingering stripers and incoming summer species. OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration report adds crucial context: post-spawn trophy fish in the 50-pound class that originated in Chesapeake waters are now staged off New Jersey and Long Island, meaning the peak large-fish push has largely cleared the lower Bay. Mid-size and resident stripers remain the primary target. The Fisherman (Northeast) notes the fluke bite warming across the NJ/DE corridor, a leading indicator for flounder action moving into VA waters. Cobia, a signature late-May species at the Chesapeake mouth, have no confirmed sightings yet in the current intel but are tracking squarely with seasonal timing.

May 19

Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report finds rockfish 'schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds' in Virginia's tidal rivers this spring — a strong sign the upper-tidal Potomac bite remains accessible. Freshwater flows on the upper Potomac sit at 2,450 cfs at USGS gauge 01646500 as of Monday evening, a moderate level that keeps wade and float access open. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, but mid-May conditions in the Potomac and Shenandoah systems typically put smallmouth bass in the final stages of the spawn and early post-spawn recovery. The Tactical Bassin blog notes post-spawn bass 'tend to school together,' making locating one fish a signal for sustained action. Wired 2 Fish highlights tight-lining with a minnow on traditional 2D sonar as a productive option for suspended fish that have pulled off shallow structure. For tidal sections, Virginia DWR points to rocky shorelines and hard structure as prime striper holding spots.

May 19

Water temperatures have climbed to 80°F per NOAA buoy 42035, and the bite along the Galveston-to-Corpus stretch is confirming what warming conditions promise. The second leg of the Galveston Redfish Series wrapped May 9 — teams entering three redfish each in a live-video weigh-in — signaling that inshore action is solidly on track. Per the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report, Capt. Greg Ball reports the Galveston jetties and ship channel are "heating up in a big way" as nearshore water temperatures climb. Three veteran captains contacted by the Reel Report confirm the south Texas bite is strengthening as air and water temps align. Offshore wave heights have moderated significantly per NOAA buoys, making nearshore access far more practical than it was earlier this month. The 37th CCA Texas STAR Tournament is now underway per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing. Speckled trout and flounder should be in the mix for anglers working bay structure and grass flats.

May 19

Water temps offshore Charleston have reached 76°F (NOAA buoy 41004), placing conditions squarely in late-spring territory. The headline for SC offshore anglers: federally approved exempted fishing permits have opened a greatly expanded red snapper season along the South Atlantic coast this summer, covering South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida recreational anglers, per both Sport Fishing Mag and Saltwater Sportsman. Closer to the beach, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports paint an encouraging picture from nearby North Carolina waters: red drum are making a strong push onto beaches at Hatteras, bull reds have been working Cape Lookout shoals, and black drum have joined early pompano in the Swansboro and Emerald Isle surf — migration patterns that historically extend south toward Charleston Harbor. Sheepshead remain a dependable target around the harbor's bridge pilings and dock structure. The waxing crescent moon keeps tidal swings moderate and manageable this week.

May 19