Fishing Reports

Water temperature at USGS gauge 04294500 reads 47°F as of May 18 — the classic prespawn threshold for Lake Champlain smallmouth bass, with landlocked salmon still operating comfortably in that cold range. No Lake Champlain-specific field reports surfaced in this week's feeds, so the picture here is assembled from gauge data and broad regional intel. At 47°F, smallmouth are typically staging on rocky transitional structure — points, shoals, and drop-offs adjacent to eventual spawning flats — feeding actively ahead of the push toward shallower water. Tactical Bassin, covering clear-water Great Lakes-type fisheries, notes that prespawn smallmouth school together and respond well to swimbaits and finesse rigs when covering water quickly. Landlocked salmon remain in their prime comfort zone below 55°F and should be actively chasing smelt and alewife in the mid-column. The new moon tonight eliminates ambient light, likely concentrating feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

May 18

USGS gauge 03512000 is reading 62°F on the western NC drainages this morning — right in the heart of the trout comfort zone — with flows at 191 cfs offering clear, wadeable conditions across the Smokies watershed. Mid-May is when caddis and sulphur activity traditionally peaks on these mountain streams, and warmer spring temperatures appear to be nudging those hatches earlier than usual; Gink and Gasoline recently noted that unusual warmth is pulling sulphur and Light Cahill emergences ahead of their normal late-April to May window on comparable mountain water. MidCurrent's current fly-tying coverage zeroes in on surface-to-film patterns — caddis emergers, CDC spent-wings, and soft-hackle wets — which maps directly to what should be productive in the Smokies right now. Tonight's New Moon keeps overhead light minimal, concentrating evening hatch activity. Drought conditions flagged across the broader Southeast by Flylords Mag are worth monitoring, though current gauge readings remain workable.

May 18

NOAA buoy 44009 put Delaware Bay water temperature at 58°F on May 18, placing conditions squarely in the prime spring window. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports a "phenomenal week" of surf fishing across NJ beaches, with a surprise wave of black drum mixing into the striper bite along the surf and bayfront. Per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, Boulevard Bait & Tackle confirmed a 51-inch bass from the surf and black drum to 38 inches eating fresh and salted clams; Fin-Atics added back-bay flounder to 20 inches on live minnows and strip baits. New Jersey's black sea bass season opened May 15 with a 12.5-inch minimum and 10-fish bag limit through June 21 — verify current state regulations — per The Fisherman (Northeast). With today's new moon, The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf flags tidal windows as prime for weakfish along bay and inlet edges, a Delaware Bay specialty worth targeting before this window passes.

May 18

Schools of oversize striped bass—reportedly very few below 37 inches—are crushing a topwater bite across upper Buzzards Bay, per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands. The action stretches west toward Fairhaven and east toward the Cape Cod Canal, with shops and captains reporting fish from slots to jumbos breaking on bait. Westport River Outfitters notes bass are coming over the rail in "very good numbers," though finding legal slot fish has been the main challenge. Water readings of 52–56°F (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) put the bay squarely in the striper feeding window. Today's New Moon sets up maximum tidal swing and peak rip-line action across the region. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands also reports tautog fishing "very good and getting better" around Canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light. Scup schools are just arriving, with huge concentrations expected on rock piles from West Island to Wareham.

May 18

USGS gauge 12484500 logged the Yakima River at 1,970 cfs at 5:15 a.m. this morning — a moderate late-spring flow that keeps the river accessible to wading anglers targeting rainbow trout in eddies and pocket water. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks stocking activity across Eastern Washington lakes and streams, with late May typically representing peak placement on many interior stillwaters. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin's western-fisheries breakdown identifies this pre-spawn window in clear-water western reservoirs as among the most productive times to target big smallmouth, with fish schooling up and covering water aggressively before committing to beds. The New Moon underway eliminates surface glare and extends low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk — historically among the most reliable conditions of the season for both species. Water temperature data was not available from gauge telemetry this morning; verify current levels and be cautious of fast spring current before wading.

May 18

Two NOAA Gulf buoys are clocking 78–79°F — textbook temperature for one of Florida's most sought gamefish right now. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report (S22 E7) flags big tarpon action across the state, putting Tampa Bay passes and Sarasota-area beaches squarely in play. May is the peak of the migration window, with fish stacking through the passes on incoming tides and along beaches at night. Inshore, Snook Nook's May report from Stuart, Florida describes late-spring snook fishing "heating up" as fish enter pre-spawn mode — a pattern that typically mirrors Gulf coast timing around Tampa Bay's mangrove shorelines and bridge pilings. On the nearshore bottom, Saltwater Sportsman's Tampa Bay hogfish feature details a flourishing rod-and-reel fishery on Gulf hard bottom and wrecks, with that orange-and-brown wrasse drawing growing interest for both the fight and the table. Winds near 14 knots at both buoy stations suggest choppy afternoons; early-morning departures will find smoother conditions.

May 18

NOAA buoy 45005 logged 57°F lake surface water on May 18 — squarely inside the prime feeding range for Erie walleye — alongside light 11-mph winds and pleasant air temps near 63°F. With the Western Basin spawn cycle typically wrapping in late April through early May, fish are now dispersing from their rocky shoal staging areas and transitioning toward summer offshore feeding patterns. Fishing the Midwest flags slow trolling as the classic spring walleye approach as fish scatter across structure. The Michigan Sportsman Forum reflects active regional angler interest in walleye this week, with at least one member asking for real-time river color and depth intel — a sign the bite is on anglers' minds even if on-the-water reports are thin. A new moon phase on May 18 adds a tactical edge: Erie walleye are well-known to activate during low-light periods coinciding with new and full moon cycles. No specific Western Basin charter or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this data pull — corroborate with a local source before making the run.

May 18

Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky structure throughout Virginia's tidal systems — a strong signal the season has reached its stride at the Chesapeake mouth. OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration update confirms the wider picture: 50-pound-class stripers that had been staging in Chesapeake waters are now tracking north through New Jersey and Long Island ahead of the new moon, meaning the post-spawn flush of big fish is in full motion. NOAA buoy 44009 logged light winds of 3 m/s and air temperatures near 61°F on Monday morning; no water temperature reading was available at time of report. The new moon on May 18 generates spring tides with amplified tidal range and stronger current, which concentrates bait on structure and can produce sharp feeding windows at the tide changes. Weakfish are starting to appear across mid-Atlantic nearshore waters per Saltwater Edge Blog, offering a secondary target for inshore anglers working the bay mouth.

May 18

Chris Johnston just won the 2026 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with 113 pounds, 12 ounces over four days, per B.A.S.S. News — the clearest possible signal that Santee's post-spawn largemouth bite is fully engaged. Johnston's winning pattern centered on the Coike and other urchin-style soft plastics, baits that drew competitive lines at the Classic before tournament week even began. Runner-up Brandon Palaniuk and third-place Drew Cook (72-1) both remained productive in heavy cover through Championship Sunday in Clarendon County. USGS gauge 02160390 on the Broad River reads 117 cfs this morning, pointing to stable, low-normal inflow into the Santee watershed — favorable for water clarity and predictable current seams. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes the bluegill spawn is running in full swing across Southern reservoirs right now, a proven trigger for topwater frog and heavy-cover action on big largemouth. Tonight's New Moon compresses the best feeding into low-light dawn windows.

May 18

Water at 54°F (NOAA buoy 44097) and the Narragansett Bay fishery is hitting its stride. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports quality stripers being caught inside the bay by both boat and surf anglers this week — bass keying on adult bunker and herring, responding best to larger soft plastics and topwater plugs. The Frances Fleet, per The Fisherman (Rhode Island), ran a productive squid trip Friday and has added squid dates to their calendar, with squid now spreading from the islands toward the mainland beaches. Tautog are improving steadily in the bay and around the islands, with The Fisherman (Northeast) noting the tog bite remains strong across Rhode Island. That same regional forecast calls the wider New England striper run 'supercharged,' with fish in the 40-pound class now entering area waters. On The Water's May 15 migration map confirms the push has fully extended through the Northeast — arriving right alongside today's New Moon.

May 18

USGS gauge 14211720 logged 63°F on the Columbia system this morning — a reading that puts smallmouth bass squarely in their spawning window and keeps spring Chinook on the move through the mainstem. With today's new moon and water in the low 60s, smallmouth are pressing into rocky shallows; Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage highlights swimbaits, topwater frogs, and drop-shot rigs as confidence baits when fish are staged near heavy cover. Specific bite reports for the Columbia and Rogue were thin in this cycle — IFish.net Fishing Reports shows Oregon anglers active in the region, including recent activity around Meldrum Bar near the Columbia confluence, though posts centered on lost-gear notices rather than confirmed catch accounts. Spring Chinook are typically moving through Columbia mainstem reaches by mid-May, but no charter or shop source corroborated run strength this week. Confirm current run status and regulations before heading out.

May 18

Red drum are making a strong push onto Outer Banks beaches, with Ryan of Hatteras Jack reporting that surf action has come alive and anglers are catching good numbers along the Hatteras/Ocracoke stretch. Water temps at NOAA buoy 41025 (Diamond Shoals) have reached 78°F — right in the wheelhouse for the late-spring drum run that defines this coastline each May. The wider region confirms the trend: Steve of Chasin' Tails out of Morehead/Atlantic Beach reports schools of bull red drum working the Cape Lookout shoals, with solid bluefish mixed in. Inland, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication notes slot-sized drum holding across the full Neuse River corridor in the Pamlico system. Sheepshead are also on the radar — state managers have adopted a temporary harvest rule affecting joint and inland waters, so verify current regulations before keeping any. New Moon tides this week produce clean, predictable current changes that favor first-light and last-light surf sessions.

May 18

The Grand River registered 3,870 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 this morning — a moderate spring volume that keeps walleye positioned in current seams without washing fish off their feeding lanes. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report (May 13) reminds Great Lakes anglers to watch for commercial netting gear marked by tall, orange-flagged buoys near several popular ports. No water temperature data was available from gauges this morning. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, driving big largemouth into shallow heavy cover where topwater frogs are producing explosive strikes. AnglingBuzz is currently spotlighting shallow walleye patterns and Lake Superior sturgeon activity as prime mid-May targets. Today's New Moon alignment typically opens a stronger low-light feeding window at dawn and dusk — a favorable setup for walleye anglers drifting jigs or live bait through mid-depth current breaks on the Grand River.

May 18

The St. Johns River is running at 72.8 cfs as of this morning per USGS gauge 02232000, offering stable, navigable freshwater conditions heading into the back half of May. The seasonal picture is squarely post-spawn for largemouth bass across both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns corridor — and with the bluegill spawn now in full swing, the bite on big bass in shallow heavy cover is on. Tactical Bassin's crew reports catching giant bass on topwater frogs worked over active bluegill beds, with shallow, heavy-cover presentations outperforming finesse rigs in warm conditions. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report (S22 E7) highlights big tarpon action unfolding across Florida this week, a signal that the broader spring migration is at or near peak. Tonight's new moon sets up the darkest low-light windows of the month — prime for topwater at dawn and dusk. Water temperature data was unavailable from the available gauge; check a local thermometer before committing to a specific pattern.

May 18

Water at 67°F as of early Monday morning at USGS gauge 11447650 (Freeport) puts the Sacramento-Delta squarely in late-spring mode — ideal conditions for multiple resident species. Flow is running at 2,890 cfs, a moderate pace that keeps tidal-influenced channels fishable without the fast-water complications that arrive in higher-runoff years. No specific local charter or shop reports came through in this cycle from NorCal Fish Reports' Delta section, so seasonal and gauge-based context guides most of what follows. At 67 degrees, largemouth bass are wrapping up spawning activity and beginning the post-spawn transition toward deeper adjacent structure. Striped bass, which push through tidal reaches of the Delta each spring, remain opportunistic feeders at this temperature range. Wired 2 Fish's current coverage of tight-lining and finesse techniques for suspended post-spawn fish is directly applicable here — bass are often holding just off primary structure rather than actively chasing on the surface.

May 18

USGS gauge 09380000 logged 55°F and 6,180 cfs on the Colorado River early this morning — cold tailwater conditions that keep the Lees Ferry reach in productive trout territory through late May. On the Salt River, mid-May typically puts largemouth and smallmouth squarely in post-spawn mode, with fish recovering off redds and staging along deeper adjacent structure. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing across comparable late-spring fisheries, a pattern that pulls big largemouth into heavy shoreline cover — frog and topwater presentations in flooded brush are the reported play right now. Wired 2 Fish highlights tight-lining ("moping") as a reliable method for targeting suspended bass in clear conditions, keeping a finesse minnow in the strike zone without triggering refusals. No Arizona-specific shop or charter reports were available this cycle; this update draws on gauge data and broadly applicable seasonal patterns from comparable fisheries.

May 18

Water temps of 41–43°F across three Gulf of Alaska NOAA buoys mark a characteristic cold-water mid-May in the northern Pacific — well within the normal range for this region at this time of year. AK Sea Grant reports that Kodiak's fishing community turned out in strength last month for the ComFish skills competition at the city harbor, a clear signal that the spring commercial and charter season is in motion along the central Gulf coast. Direct bite reports from charter captains or tackle shops are absent from this cycle's intel feeds, so species activity levels here reflect seasonal norms and environmental readings rather than on-the-water testimony. Winds running 14–20 knots across the monitoring array could limit smaller-vessel access to offshore grounds. With the new moon underway, bottom feeders may be feeding more freely in the coming days. Confirm current conditions with your charter operator before heading out.

May 18

The bluegill spawn is in full swing across Alabama's warmwater systems this week, and big largemouth are shadowing shallow cover hard. Tactical Bassin's Matt, fishing heavy cover with a frog and topwater, reports "big bass on the prowl" with the bluegill spawn driving a legitimate shallow bite. On the broader Tennessee River corridor, a Tactical Bassin post-spawn report from Lake Chickamauga details a highly variable fishery: Tim found clear-water finesse conditions at one end and power-fishing opportunities in stained water at the other, working swimbaits, chatterbaits, and soft plastics throughout the day. USGS gauge 02339500 shows the Coosa at Wetumpka holding at 1,080 cfs — a moderate, fishable stage. No instrument water temperature is available today, but mid-May in Alabama typically places these river systems in the low-to-mid 70s°F range — an ideal post-spawn window for bass regrouping along channel edges and shaded nearshore structure.

May 18

USGS gauge 11455420 logged a strong tidal reversal of -94,800 cfs at 12:30 a.m. on May 18, indicating a powerful flood-tide pulse pushing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — the kind of water movement that historically stacks striped bass and American shad at slough mouths and channel junctions. No Delta-specific angler reports were available from our feeds this cycle; NorCal Fish Reports was reachable but no current region text loaded. Working from the tidal data and seasonal context: mid-May is typically the heart of the Delta's striper post-spawn feeding window, with fish scattered across main channels and tributary mouths. The American shad run, which peaks April through June in the Sacramento system, should be in full swing. Largemouth bass are transitioning post-spawn in the backwater sloughs. Tonight's New Moon amplifies tidal swings, creating strong low-light feeding opportunities at dawn and dusk. Water temperature was unavailable from gauge 11455420 at time of publication.

May 18

Water temperatures on the Finger Lakes watershed have reached 60°F, recorded at USGS gauge 04232050 early this morning — a threshold that marks the tail end of smallmouth bass spawning on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Post-spawn fish are leaving the beds and beginning to stage on adjacent structure. Per Tactical Bassin's recent on-water coverage, the bluegill spawn is in full swing, pulling big bass into shallow heavy cover and making topwater frogs and walking baits productive right now. Lake trout and brown trout remain active as surface temps move through the low 60s, and caddis emergences are beginning to fire; MidCurrent's current fly-tying roundup features sparse nymph and emerger patterns well-suited to this transition window. Walleye on Seneca are in post-spawn recovery and will likely be found on deeper structure. New Moon conditions today extend the low-light feeding window at dawn and dusk. No local shop or charter reports were available in this feed cycle.

May 18

The Flathead River is running 30,100 cfs and 48°F (USGS gauge 12372000) as of May 18 — peak spring snowmelt territory for northwest Montana. This is big, fast water, and trout across both the Flathead watershed and the Bitterroot corridor are responding by tucking into current seams, bank eddies, and inside bends away from the main channel push. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday series this week spotlighted a beaded nymph "built for low-light, overcast days when high-contrast color is doing the work" — the same principle applies to the turbid, high-flow conditions defining this region right now. On Flathead Lake itself, Mackinaw are holding in cold-water depths well-suited to the 48°F range. Anglers fishing still waters near Kalispell should also take note: Outdoor Hub reports Montana FWP is offering a reward for information on illegally introduced northern pike discovered in Pine Grove Pond — a sign that invasive species pressure near the lake remains a live concern.

May 18

The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record 2024 coho salmon harvest exceeding 210,000 fish — plus more than 160,000 Chinook, the highest since 2012 — crediting a strong alewife forage class for improved stocked-fish survival across the lake. That forage base underpins what should be an active spring salmon fishery for Indiana's southern shoreline as of mid-May 2026. No real-time buoy readings are available for this update; the Michigan Sportsman Forum logged late-April water temps in the low-50s°F in adjacent Michigan waters, consistent with typical southern Lake Michigan surface conditions for this period. With no Indiana-specific angler intel in current feeds, our picture draws on lake-wide trends and general seasonal knowledge. Salmon trolling, steelhead near tributary mouths, and yellow perch jigging are all historically productive at this calendar date; check the IL/IN Sea Grant's active nearshore buoy network for the latest temperature and wave data before launching.

May 18

LakeForkGuy is calling the current crappie bite 'the most aggressive of the year' in post-spawn conditions — a strong signal that the Texas freshwater transition from spawn to early summer is well underway on the Highland Lakes chain. The USGS gauge on the Colorado River (site 08158000) recorded 728 cfs early this morning, indicating moderate inflow into Travis's upstream margin with no water temperature reading available at the gauge. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn now in full swing, the annual trigger that pushes big largemouth bass into heavy shallow cover for frog and topwater presentations — expect that same dynamic across the cedar-studded flats and rocky points of LBJ and Buchanan. Direct real-time reports specific to Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are limited this week; Lone Star Outdoor News notes 2025 set record angling benchmarks for Texas waters broadly, suggesting the underlying fishery health heading into this season remains strong.

May 18

Captain Jared Davis aboard the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay reports vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. Water has cooled to 54°F from the 58°F reading logged at the April 11 season opener — the four-degree drop pushed bonita offshore but firmed up the chinook bite. Unfortunately, NOAA buoy 46013 off Bodega recorded 10.5-foot seas and 10 m/s winds Monday morning, and buoy 46026 showed comparable 9.5-foot swells, keeping most private vessels at the dock. A New Moon phase now underway sharpens tidal swings and can improve low-light bite windows for both offshore and bay-side anglers when conditions allow a run. Inside SF Bay, halibut and striped bass should be in their typical late-spring pattern along channel ledges, though no specific charter or shop reports for bay-side action came through this cycle's feeds. Watch for the next swell window before booking an offshore run.

May 18