Fishing Reports

Joshua Barber's May 10 Southern Waters report via GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News noted that hot weather is approaching and fish "will probably start to move into deeper water" across South Georgia — a clear signal that the post-spawn transition is underway. The Savannah River at Clyo was reading 3.6 feet and falling as of May 14, consistent with the current USGS gauge 02197000 reading of 4,150 cfs on May 18. That dropping flow means clearer water windows are opening up in the river's backwater systems. Largemouth bass remain the headliner: the Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing documented an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken in Morgan County on a spinnerbait just after rain in late April, and the GHSA Bass State Championship on Lake Sinclair (May 9) produced a competitive five-fish winning limit per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. With heat building, mid-depth structure and bluegill-spawn edges are the key targets heading into this week.

May 19

Field & Stream reported a new Florida state record blue catfish — 73.6 pounds, caught on a live hand-sized bream — fell earlier this year, surpassing the previous mark by more than 4 pounds. That trophy catch underscores the live-bait potential across Florida's major freshwater systems heading into late May. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, with big largemouth stacking in shallow heavy cover and responding aggressively to topwater frogs. The USGS gauge on the St. Johns River (site 02232000) logged 155 cfs as of May 18 — a moderate, fishable flow. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this period. With a waxing crescent moon, low-light windows at dawn and dusk offer the best topwater timing. Anglers targeting Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns should focus on grass-edge ambush points where spawning bluegill are concentrated.

May 19

Snook Nook's May 2026 report from Stuart calls this 'one of the best months for inshore fishing on the Treasure Coast,' with snook heating up ahead of the pre-spawn push and excellent action across the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna flooding South Florida's Atlantic waters from the Keys north through Palm Beach — peak season for kite-fishing, trolling, and live-bait drifting over structure. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms big tarpon action running across Florida this week. On the regulatory front, CCA Florida and Saltwater Sportsman report that federally approved exempted fishing permits will deliver extended South Atlantic red snapper seasons for Florida anglers in 2026. NOAA buoys 41008 and 41009 recorded winds of 5–8 m/s overnight, with air temps in the upper 70s — comfortable late-spring conditions. A waxing crescent moon keeps overnight tidal swings modest heading into the week.

May 19

Water at 79°F (NOAA buoy 42036) has the southwest Florida Gulf Coast fishing at its late-spring best. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting quality fish each morning as they push through staging areas. The classic double-header is in play: mornings on the silver kings, afternoons pivoting to sight-fishing large Permit on the flats — a pattern Naples Offshore describes as "exactly how it should be" for this time of year. King mackerel are adding to the mix with steady action on plugs and flies offshore. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) echoes the headlines with a report of big tarpon action across Florida. Structure anglers after gag grouper and scamp have a clear directive from Coastal Angler Magazine: find the cigar minnows and sardines stacked on ledges, wrecks, and rock outcrops, and the fish will be right there. Offshore swells of 2.6–4.3 ft (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039) call for smart weather-window selection.

May 19

Water temps across Long Island Sound are reading 56–57°F per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065, and the fishery is fully awake. The Fisherman — Connecticut's Aaron Swanson reports that the May new moon "supercharged" striped bass activity throughout the Sound and its tributaries, with a massive bait influx — squid, bunker, mackerel, herring, silversides, and rain bait — pulling fish onto every type of structure from deep reefs to shallow flats. Fisherman's World Connecticut called it simply "bass, bass, bass," with customers connecting on virtually every technique. Bobby J's Connecticut notes inshore action is currently outpacing the deep-water bite, though an outgoing tide can flip the script on the reefs. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle adds that artificials and flies are easily keeping pace with bait. On The Water confirmed the spring striper migration has fully extended through the Northeast, with 40-pound-class fish now entering New England waters.

May 18

The Salmon River TMA and TTA received fresh stockings on May 13, and The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that one angler hit the river and caught 'as many trout as they wanted.' With USGS gauge 01184000 reading 59°F on the Connecticut River corridor, water temps are in a prime window for trout while nudging largemouth bass firmly into spawn mode. Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, notes largies are 'now spawning and proving trickier to entice than they were in prespawn,' while area reservoir bass action is 'steadily improving' with shiners leading over soft-plastic swim baits. Interest in Connecticut River shad and carp is building this week, with anglers gravitating toward the main stem alongside the traditional trout fisheries. Spring flows remain elevated — the CT River corridor is pushing 34,100 cfs per USGS gauge 01184000 — so reservoir and tributary fishing will offer the most comfortable conditions right now.

May 18

Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, calls conditions below Pigeon Point 'vastly improved' — a meaningful turnaround since the April 11 salmon opener, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. The catalyst is a temperature drop: water near Half Moon Bay has fallen from 58°F to 54°F, which Davis says pushed bonita off the grounds while pulling salmon back into productive form. NOAA buoy 46042 confirms the Central Coast chill at 52°F, with 7.9-ft seas running at the same station. Buoy 46028 to the south reads 59°F with similar swell heights, indicating a 7-degree north-to-south gradient that typically concentrates baitfish along transition zones. Rough surf will sideline smaller private boats this week, but sportfishing operations reaching the grounds south of Pigeon Point are finding the salmon bite. Rockfish offer an accessible fallback for anglers who can work calmer inshore structure.

May 18

The USGS gauge at site 11447650 recorded 67°F water and 15,300 cfs on the Sacramento River on the afternoon of May 18 — a temperature that falls squarely in the productive band for both striped bass and largemouth. No Sacramento-Delta-specific reports appeared in this week's regional angler-intel feeds; NorCal Fish Reports was present in the source rotation but returned only site navigation rather than current conditions. With that caveat noted, the seasonal picture is encouraging: at 67°F, striped bass remain active throughout the tidal channels and tributary confluences of the Delta complex, and largemouth are making the post-spawn transition to early-summer structure along tule edges and dock pilings. Flows near 15,300 cfs represent a moderate late-spring level on the Sacramento — enough current to concentrate baitfish on downstream seams without blowing fish off structure. The waxing crescent moon provides low overnight light, which typically sharpens the pre-dawn bite window for topwater presentations.

May 18

NOAA buoy 46080 is showing 43°F water temperatures and 5.9-foot seas with light 4 m/s winds — the most workable inshore window across the Gulf of Alaska this week. Further offshore, buoy 46001 logs 7.9-foot swells at 43°F while buoy 46066 registers 9.5-foot seas with 41°F water and sustained 10 m/s winds, underscoring an active spring weather pattern keeping open-ocean runs difficult. May is the prime early-season window for Pacific halibut in this region, when fish push from deep winter haunts onto shallower feeding banks — anglers who can find the weather windows should be working those grounds. AK Sea Grant's recent coverage of the ComFish competition in Kodiak signals the local fleet is engaged and tuned up heading into the season's peak weeks. No charter or shop intel is available this cycle; conditions on the water can shift fast, so verify locally before departing and check current state regulations before harvesting any species.

May 18

USGS gauge 15266300 recorded the Kenai system at 44°F and 2,740 cfs on May 18 — water conditions that put the early-run king salmon window squarely in play. No Kenai-specific charter or shop reports came through this cycle; AK Sea Grant's recent feeds covered the ComFish skills competition in Kodiak and coastal community programs rather than interior river conditions. Based on the gauge reading and typical mid-May patterns for this region, early king salmon are likely beginning their push into the lower Kenai corridor. Rainbow trout are feeding actively ahead of the peak snowmelt runoff that typically arrives later in May. On interior drainages, Arctic grayling are a classic mid-May target as surface temps begin climbing from winter lows. Water at 44°F responds well to slow, deliberate presentations. Verify current emergency order status before launching — early Kenai king runs are subject to in-season openings and closures.

May 18

The Coosa River is flowing at 11,000 cfs at Childersburg per USGS gauge 02339500, putting a premium on current seams and eddy pockets as bass complete the post-spawn transition across Alabama's impoundments. Tactical Bassin's recent on-water coverage of Lake Chickamauga — a Tennessee River system reservoir just across the state line — documents fish responding to swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations, with clearer pools demanding a finesse approach and murkier stretches rewarding power-fishing techniques. That same split-personality dynamic likely applies across Wheeler and Guntersville on the Tennessee, and on Logan Martin and Lay Lake on the Coosa. With the bluegill spawn in full swing per Tactical Bassin, early-morning topwater frogs and big-profile baits near mats and laydowns are worth a focused look at first light. No water temperature data is available from the gauge; check conditions locally before launching. The waxing crescent moon favors moderate activity windows concentrated around dawn and dusk.

May 18

The USGS gauge on the Sabine (site 08025500) recorded just 8.69 cfs midday Monday — a very low reading that points to stable, clear conditions heading into Memorial Day weekend. With the spawn largely behind them, post-spawn bass are staging on secondary structure and channel edges. Tactical Bassin (blog) calls this the 'early summer transition' and notes that once fish school up, it can be 'fish after fish for hours.' On the crappie side, LakeForkGuy documented what he called the 'most aggressive crappie bite of the year' during post-spawn sessions on nearby Lake Fork — a pattern that typically mirrors conditions across Toledo Bend's deep timber. Louisiana Sportsman's May 17 column flags topwater as a prime springtime play for finesse-focused anglers, though that report covered coastal trout; the technique translates well to early-morning bass sessions on the reservoir. Blue catfish become increasingly active as May water temperatures climb. The Waxing Crescent moon favors dawn and dusk bite windows.

May 18

Georgia Wildlife Blog's May 15 roundup kicked off with 'another great week of fishing' across the state, and that optimism extends to the Savannah chain — though the window is shifting. GA Sportsman's May 10 Southern Waters report cautioned that 'hot weather is now approaching and fish will probably start to move into deeper water,' a transition now well underway on Hartwell and Russell. Recent rains provided timely relief: that same report credited the precipitation with helping 'knock the fires down and helped our rivers and lakes,' and the USGS gauge on the Savannah River logged a moderate 425 cfs on May 18, suggesting stable post-rain levels. Bass have exited the spawn and are staging along main-lake points, channel ledges, and brush piles. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage identifies swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse rigs as the confidence baits for this early-summer transition. Crappie, which stacked in 3–8 feet around structure during Georgia's spring spawn per Georgia Wildlife Blog's April reports, are now pulling to deeper timber as surface temps climb toward summer highs.

May 18

USGS gauge 11455420 on the Sacramento River is registering 102,000 cfs as of May 18 — a robust late-spring snowmelt pulse pushing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta system. NorCal Fish Reports, which maintains Delta coverage among its regional beats, had no specific catch dispatches available in this feed cycle. With direct angler testimony sparse, current conditions are pieced together from gauge data and seasonal patterns typical of this waterway. At that flow volume, main channels run strong and turbid; striped bass and largemouth bass characteristically retreat to slower backwater sloughs, flooded tule margins, and the downstream lee of riprap where bait concentrates and the current breaks. Channel catfish stage in soft-bottom pockets away from the heavy push. The waxing crescent moon favors low-light ambush windows at first and last light — typically prime for stripers working the slack edges. Check state regulations for current striped bass and sturgeon seasons before launching.

May 18

USGS gauge 05407000 clocked 64°F and 9,850 cfs on the Wisconsin River corridor this afternoon — elevated spring runoff that's pushing Driftless tributaries high and, in places, off-color. Despite the extra water, the season is primed: MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday this week spotlighted Root River Rod Co's go-to Driftless streamer, a pine squirrel jig built to bounce rocky bottoms without fouling — exactly the right tool when flows are still running off. MidCurrent also flagged that hatches are beginning to fire across the region, with patterns spanning the full water column as caddis emergences ramp up through mid-May. At 64°F, brown trout are in an active feeding range; look for fish tucked into seam water and undercut banks, out of the main current push. Hatch Magazine notes that trout key hardest on caddis during the pupal transition — soft-hackle wets and emerger patterns will outperform dry adults during this window. Wading is technical right now; scout entry points carefully before stepping in.

May 18

Water temperature at 65°F as of May 18 (USGS gauge 04232050) places the Finger Lakes — Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles — squarely in the post-spawn transition for smallmouth bass. At this temperature, most fish have completed their spawning cycle on rocky shoreline flats and are now feeding aggressively to recover weight. Tactical Bassin reports that the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing across freshwater bass fisheries, drawing big bass into shallow cover with topwater frogs, swimbaits, and chatterbaits proving most effective. Walleye, which typically spawn in early-to-mid April in the Finger Lakes, should be actively feeding on transition structure between shallow and mid-depth zones. Lake trout are retreating toward thermocline depth as surface temps push past the 60°F comfort threshold. Low tributary inflow on the gauge (39.7 cfs) points to excellent water clarity — a distinct advantage for finesse presentations and sight-fishing along rocky shorelines. The waxing crescent moon favors low-light windows at dawn and dusk.

May 18

USGS gauge 01054200 on the Androscoggin headwaters recorded 287 cfs on May 18 — a moderate spring flow suggesting snowmelt runoff is tapering. Mainely Fly Fishing logged ice-out at a southern Maine pond as early as April 4 this year; Rangeley-area lakes at higher elevation typically clear 2–3 weeks later, putting them ice-free for roughly three to four weeks by mid-May and well into the prime post-ice-out salmon window. Direct condition reports specific to Rangeley are sparse in this cycle's feeds, but The Fisherman's New England Freshwater contributors confirmed brook and rainbow trout actively feeding across the broader Northeast region as recently as May 13, with fish hitting inline spinners and streamers. Caddis and mayfly hatches are beginning to fire across northeastern trout streams — a trend Hatch Magazine and MidCurrent have both documented in recent coverage — extending evening surface activity on outlet rivers. Anglers covering the water column with smelt imitations and light hardware should find landlocked salmon accessible, while brook trout are taking streamers and dry flies in moderate-flow river sections.

May 18

USGS gauge 01030500 recorded 3,030 cfs on the upper Penobscot on May 18 — elevated spring flow pointing to active snowmelt drainage from the central Maine highlands. Direct on-the-water reports for Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot were not represented in this week's angler-intel feeds, so conditions here are read primarily through the gauge and regional context. High river water typically moves landlocked salmon and brook trout out of the main current and into slack-water pockets, cove mouths, and eddies behind structure. Per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, cold-water trout species across the broader Northeast remain active as late-season snowmelt holds temperatures in productive range. At Moosehead, the lake has likely been ice-free for several weeks by mid-May, and the waxing crescent moon creates low-light windows at dawn and dusk — historically the most productive timing of the season for togue and landlocked salmon.

May 18

Water temps logged at 48°F by USGS gauge 04294500 on May 18 put Lake Champlain's smallmouth bass squarely in pre-spawn staging mode — water needs another 5–7 degrees before spawning activity kicks off in earnest. No direct on-the-water reports from Champlain surfaced in this cycle, but regional freshwater intel helps frame the picture: The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes that smallmouth action "keeps steadily improving" as cold water warms across northern New England impoundments, with shiners and finesse swimbaits leading the way. Tactical Bassin confirms that pre-spawn smallmouth school up and are best approached with fast-moving search baits in clear, cold conditions — a description that fits Champlain well. Landlocked salmon, which thrive at these temperatures, should remain active in open water before a summer thermocline establishes. The waxing crescent moon offers moderate low-light windows at dusk and dawn, favorable for both species.

May 18

The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's 2024 season recap — record coho harvests topping 210,000 fish and Chinook numbers not seen since 2012, both driven by abundant alewife year classes — sets a strong lake-wide backdrop for Indiana shoreline anglers heading into 2026. No real-time buoy or gauge readings were available for this report, so water temperatures and wave conditions are unconfirmed; consult NOAA or a local marina before launching. Mid-May typically finds Chinook staging in harbor mouths and transitioning offshore as nearshore water warms, while coho linger near tributary structure. Smallmouth bass are finishing or just completing spawn on rocky and gravel nearshore areas, and the post-spawn feeding window is opening — often the most aggressive bite of the year. Tactical Bassin identifies swimbaits and finesse presentations as top producers for Great Lakes smallmouth in the clear nearshore water typical of this season.

May 18

The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record-setting 2024 salmon season on the lake — over 210,000 coho and 160,000 Chinook harvested, the best Chinook number since 2012 — driven by strong alewife year classes that boosted stocked-fish survival rates. That population foundation carries into spring 2026. No live NOAA buoy readings for the Chicago nearshore zone were available at report time; IL/IN Sea Grant notes its three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys are in active spring deployment, so confirm current water temps via the IISG buoy portal before launching. Mid-May typically puts coho finishing their nearshore run while smallmouth bass move onto shallow rocky structure in aggressive prespawn feeding mode. Tactical Bassin identifies swimbaits and finesse rigs as top producers for Great Lakes smallmouth when clear, cool prespawn conditions prevail — a window that historically peaks right around this point on the calendar.

May 18

Water registered at 73°F by USGS gauge 07060710 on the afternoon of May 18, with flow at a minimal 5.06 cfs — a strong indicator that the generators at Bull Shoals or Norfork are between cycles. At that temperature, rainbow and brown trout have moved off open mid-river runs and are concentrated near cold-water inputs: the immediate tailrace below each dam, spring seeps along cut banks, and deep shaded pools. None of this week's angler-intel feeds include a direct White River report, so this update draws on gauge data and established tailwater behavior. When water is this low and clear, small flies are the prescription — MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights midge-style patterns built for "the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," while Flylab (Substack) observes that trout key on midge larvae, pupae, and adults at every life stage. Target the first two hours of daylight before warming air amplifies surface temperatures, and fish as close to dam outlets as access allows.

May 18

Water at the Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam reads 50°F at 636 cfs (USGS gauge 02334430), keeping that stretch productive for trout well into late spring. On the impoundments, the Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing flagged "another great week of fishing" as of May 15. The dominant pattern right now is the bluegill spawn: Tactical Bassin (blog) notes largemouth are pushing into heavy shallow cover wherever bluegill are fanning beds, making topwater lures and frogs the go-to presentation during low-light hours. GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News (report through May 14) warns that summer heat is arriving and fish are beginning the push toward deeper structure — plan morning sessions before that transition accelerates. Crappie have largely completed their spawn and are likely dropping to 8–15 feet around submerged brush. A waxing crescent moon favors early-morning bite windows on both reservoirs this week.

May 18

Water temps touching 70°F on the Little Tennessee River watershed — recorded at USGS gauge 03512000 on May 18 — are pushing Smokies trout into classic heat-avoidance behavior. With flow running at a wade-friendly 194 cfs, fish are accessible, but expect them bunched in the deepest, shadiest lies through midday. Severe drought conditions flagged across the Southeast by Flylords Mag have kept many smaller tributaries running lean and warm; anglers willing to hike to high-elevation headwaters will find the coolest, most fishable water. Wild brook trout, temperature-sensitive above 65°F, are likely concentrated in the uppermost reaches. Late May is prime time for caddis flights and early Sulphur hatches in the southern Appalachians — evening rises should be the most productive window of the day, with elk-hair caddis and parachute patterns covering the surface through dusk. Bring a stream thermometer and plan your day around the early and late windows.

May 18