Fishing Reports

Water temperatures of 54–55°F recorded across NOAA buoys 46029 and 46002 off the Oregon Coast this morning place nearshore conditions squarely in the temperature band spring Chinook salmon favor during their coastal migration. Winds are running at 7–8 m/s along the outer shelf — enough to warrant bar-crossing caution on smaller vessels. Specific Oregon Coast angler reports are sparse in current intel, but a useful regional signal comes from Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, which reported this week that Half Moon Bay boats found 'vastly improved salmon conditions' after nearshore water temperatures dropped to 54°F — the same reading our buoys show off Oregon today. The new-moon phase favors tidal bite windows around dawn and dusk, and the cool water may also push rockfish into more active feeding postures on nearshore reef structure. Verify current state fishing regulations before heading out.

May 17

USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 7,770 cfs and 64°F before dawn on May 17 — warmer than typical for mid-May, pushing Columbia River smallmouth bass squarely into post-spawn feeding mode while keeping the Rogue's spring Chinook window open. Specific on-the-water catch reports for this corridor are limited this cycle, but Tactical Bassin's current content confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing nationally, with big bass targeting shallow, heavy cover — a pattern that translates directly to Columbia smallmouth on riprap and rocky points. For fly anglers, Hatch Magazine's coverage of caddis emergences is well-timed: May is when Oregon's interior rivers typically ignite with caddis activity, and the Rogue canyon is no exception. Rogue spring Chinook remain the headline target for drift-boat and bank anglers through early June. At 64°F, fish will be seeking deeper, oxygenated lies — back-trolling plugs in canyon tailouts during early-morning windows is the typical approach. Verify current retention and hatchery rules before keeping any salmonid.

May 17

USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River put water temperature at 62°F this morning with flow running 889 cfs — a moderate, fishable level suggesting spring runoff has largely subsided. That 62°F reading lands squarely in the prime walleye feeding band, and timing lines up with post-spawn fish shaking off recovery and returning to aggressive feeding. Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been covering shallow walleye tactics this week — including trolling approaches and float-rig setups with forward-facing sonar — pointing to fish holding in nearshore zones and current seams. AnglingBuzz echoes the shallow-water walleye theme in their latest Midwest content. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain reliable river walleye producers at this stage of the season, with spinning gear making a comeback for finesse presentations. The New Moon phase arrives today, typically encouraging more spread-out daytime feeding behavior over the tight dawn-and-dusk windows seen under brighter phases.

May 17

Water at 53–54°F off New York's south shore — per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 — and big striped bass are the undeniable story heading into this weekend. On The Water's May 14 Long Island report had 'very big bass' coming from the South Shore surf and Western Sound, a finding corroborated across the entire island. The Fisherman — Long Island North Shore logged fish to 45 inches from Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington Bay on trolled umbrella rigs and parachutes, while The Fisherman — Long Island West End reported a boat limit of keepers out of Oceanside. The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore noted Captain Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters landing seven to eleven bass per morning-tide session. Fluke season is officially open per NY DEC, and the bite is building: Great South Bay has already produced a doormat past 8 pounds. Bluefish are trickling in at Shinnecock Inlet, Breezy Point, and the Narrows, per The Fisherman — Long Island Surf.

May 17

Water temps have reached 53–54°F per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091, and the Jersey Shore spring run is firing on all cylinders. Fishermans HQ LBI reports 'the spring fishery is as good as it gets for surfcasters working the sands of Long Beach Island,' with bass stacked in cuts and gutters from north to south. Boulevard Bait & Tackle (The Fisherman — Southern NJ) confirmed a 51-inch fish from the surf on fresh clam, and Grumpys Tackle (NJ) reported a 41-inch personal best at Seaside Park on an SP Minnow. Black drum have joined the party along the oceanfront, with The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf noting 'a push of black drum surprising many a clamslinger.' Stripers and drum to 38 inches are eating soaked clams in the wash. New Jersey's black sea bass season opened May 15 per The Fisherman — New Jersey edition — check current state regs for size and bag limits before keeping fish. The Garden State Surf Fishing Classic runs today at Island Beach State Park.

May 17

The Platte River logged 2,050 cfs at USGS gauge 06796000 early Sunday morning — a workable mid-spring flow that keeps wading and bank access open across much of the corridor. No water temperature reading was available this cycle; check conditions locally before heading out. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch calls this exact window 'a great time to be on the water,' highlighting a shallow-water casting approach for crappie, bass, and walleye on spinning gear with jigs and slip-sinker rigs. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the region — a reliable feeding trigger that pulls largemouth and smallmouth into shallow cover and heavy vegetation. Today's New Moon means minimal ambient light overnight and at dawn, historically concentrating feeding activity into early morning and evening windows. For catfish anglers working the Missouri River corridor, May is typically prime season in the warmer, slower side channels as water temperatures climb through late spring.

May 17

Water temps have reached 76°F at USGS gauge 06892350 as of early Sunday morning, signaling that bass are moving out of the spawn and into late-spring feeding patterns across both river systems. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn field coverage from comparable Midwest impoundments shows fish grouping in shallow cover and responding well to topwater frogs and swimbaits around active bluegill beds — a pattern typical for this temperature range. Fishing the Midwest reinforces the shallow-water approach for this part of the season, noting spring fish are cooperative over flats and secondary structure when presentations stay simple. No channel- or flathead-specific bite reports surfaced from the Kansas or Arkansas River corridor this week, but 76°F water sits squarely in the prime catfish window by seasonal norms. Flow is running at 1,780 cfs — moderate and accessible for most mainstem launch points on both rivers.

May 17

Water at USGS gauge 13340000 on the Snake River registered 47°F and 21,300 cfs at dawn on May 17 — classic late-spring snowmelt conditions that push spring chinook salmon upstream while limiting wade access on most reaches. No regional shop or charter reports covering the Snake or Salmon drainages appeared in this week's intel feeds, so this report leans on gauge data and established seasonal patterns. Spring chinook are the headliner right now; mid-May is historically the heart of the spring run as fish push deep into the system. Caddis Fly (OR) notes that giant salmonfly nymphs are emerging on Pacific Northwest rivers this spring — a hatch that typically sweeps into the Salmon River canyon as conditions warm. The new moon tonight opens low-light dawn and dusk windows that can trigger more aggressive feeding. Boat anglers hold a clear edge over waders until flows recede.

May 17

Water at 77°F (NOAA buoy 42036) has the Florida Gulf Coast locked into its most productive late-spring window. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is "fully underway," with captains intercepting push-through fish in the mornings before pivoting to afternoon sight-fishing for large permit — calling the current variety "as good as it gets for this time of year." Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) echoes the statewide scope, headlining "Big Tarpon Action Across Florida" this week. Offshore, the same Naples captains are pulling cobia, amberjacks, and kingfish on plugs and flies, rounding out a dynamic multi-species spread. The New Moon on May 17 is generating the strongest tidal swings of the cycle — a reliable trigger for tarpon pushing hard through the passes and permit staging on high-tide flats. Light winds of 2–3 m/s across both Gulf buoys are holding conditions favorable for flats sight-fishing and offshore runs alike.

May 17

Striped bass dominate the Long Island Sound scene this week, with sea-lice-fresh migratory fish mixing with resident bass from Norwalk to New London, per The Fisherman — Connecticut. Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports fish spread across inshore harbors, bays, and deep-water structure — reefs including 11B, Can 13, and the OB Buoy holding the freshest arrivals. Bobby J's confirms bunker chunks are producing bass into the 20-pound-plus class, while topwater plugs and plastics on jigheads are generating steady inshore action. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle notes over-slot 40s have turned heads alongside a consistent supply of slot fish (24–29 inches) on swimmers along the suds. Surface water sits at 52–54°F per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44025, still brisk but clearly warm enough to have the migration fully engaged. Tonight's new moon brings stronger tidal flows — classic feeding conditions after dark. Tautog and early fluke are beginning to register on the regional radar as secondary options.

May 17

Water temps registering 55°F on the Connecticut River (USGS gauge 01184000) confirm a classic mid-May window across Connecticut's inland fishery. The standout story this week comes from Rich at Fisherman's World, who reports two brown trout near 8 pounds pulled from Saugatuck Reservoir on shiners — caught by separate anglers fishing different sections of the same impoundment, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. That reservoir is also producing largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and perch. Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 calls trout action outstanding at stocked ponds, lakes, and streams, naming the Salmon River, Coginchaug River, Day Pond Trout Park, and Chatfield Hollow Pond and Brook Trout Park as reliable producers. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes spring stockings continued through early May on the Hammonasset River, Bantam River, Saugatuck River, and several TMAs. On the Connecticut River, the Middletown-to-Rocky Hill stretch is yielding shad, carp, and striped bass on sandworms and chunks, per Fishin' Factory 3.

May 17

Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, reported 'vastly improved salmon conditions' below Pigeon Point this week, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. The catalyst: water temps have cooled to 54°F after sitting at 58°F when salmon season opened April 11, and Davis noted the bonita 'took a hike' with the drop — a shift that typically favors Chinook, which thrive in cooler water. NOAA buoy 46042 backs the trend at 52°F, with buoy 46028 reading 56°F to the north. The immediate concern is sea state: wave heights of 15–16 feet across the offshore buoy network, combined with sustained winds of 11–16 m/s, will sideline most private-boat anglers this weekend. When conditions ease, the new moon's strong tidal swings should concentrate baitfish along upwelling edges and structure below Pigeon Point — the same productive zone Davis flagged for this fleet.

May 17

USGS gauge 11447650 logged the Sacramento at 69°F and 2,840 cfs early Sunday morning — water temperatures that put Delta largemouth squarely in post-spawn recovery mode with the bluegill spawn right on the doorstep. With no dedicated Delta captain or shop report arriving in this cycle, the clearest technique signal comes from Tactical Bassin, whose current coverage on bluegill-spawn bass fishing emphasizes shallow heavy cover and topwater frogs as the primary big-fish play right now. Striped bass remain an active presence across the Sacramento-Delta system at these temperatures, historically holding along channel edges and tidal rip points through late May. Catfish are coming alive with the warming trend. NorCal Fish Reports maintains a dedicated Delta regional section — pull their latest update before launching for the most current spot-specific intel. The new moon this weekend compresses the bite toward first and last light.

May 17

USGS gauge 09380000 recorded the Colorado River at 56°F and 6,150 cfs early Sunday morning — conditions that keep Lee's Ferry's rainbow trout in comfortable feeding territory and mark the tail end of the ideal pre-summer tailwater window. No local tackle-shop or charter reports for Arizona's river corridor surfaced in this week's feeds, so what follows blends gauge data with seasonal context. Mid-May typically finds the Salt River chain in the post-spawn bass transition, with largemouth and smallmouth scattering from beds into adjacent rocky structure. Tactical Bassin's current post-spawn breakdown points to topwater poppers and swimbaits as the high-percentage plays during this transition; that same read applies directly to the Salt River's shallow rocky flats. Tonight's new moon cuts ambient light; first light and the last hour before dark should be the most productive windows on both systems over the coming days.

May 17

Three NOAA buoys spanning the Gulf of Alaska are recording water temperatures of 41–43°F today (May 17), with significant wave heights between 10.8 and 14.8 feet — conditions that are keeping most small-boat operators dockside as of this morning. Direct charter, shop, or fishing-blog reports for this corridor are not represented in today's angler-intel feeds, so species outlooks below are calibrated to the live buoy data and mid-May seasonal norms. Pacific halibut is the anchor fishery right now: commercial IFQ and guided sportfish charters typically build through May, and the bottom-temperature shelf zones between 100 and 400 feet will be most productive. King salmon are likely entering coastal systems but may be holding deeper and offshore in this cold water column. AK Sea Grant noted active fleet engagement at Kodiak last month during the ComFish skills competition, signaling the community is geared up for the season. Watch the swell windows — 15-foot seas restrict safe offshore transit today.

May 17

USGS gauge 15266300 logged the Kenai system at 2,830 cfs and 44°F as of early May 17 — moderate spring-snowmelt flow consistent with mid-May in this drainage. None of the angler-intel feeds reviewed this week carried direct Kenai or interior Alaska river reports; coverage skewed heavily toward Lower-48 fisheries, so conditions here are grounded in gauge data and seasonal patterns typical for this point in the Alaska calendar. That acknowledged, the picture is familiar: water temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s keep fish active but deliberate, and rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char are the realistic targets ahead of the king salmon opener. Nymph and streamer presentations in softer current seams alongside the main push typically produce at these temps. The New Moon window (today) can suppress midday surface activity and concentrate feeding at dawn and dusk. Anglers planning early king salmon trips should check current state regulations for opener dates.

May 17

Bass fishing in Alabama's Tennessee and Coosa River systems is mid-transition off the spawn. Tactical Bassin's recent coverage of Lake Chickamauga — a benchmark Tennessee River impoundment near the state line — documents a split-personality fishery: finesse presentations including drop-shots and lighter swimbaits accounting for fish in clear-water stretches, while chatterbaits and heavier swimbaits draw reaction strikes in stained reaches. Most notably, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, pushing largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover to ambush prey; topwater frogs over matted vegetation and laydowns produced fish early morning. The Coosa River at Childersburg was running 836 cfs as of the morning of May 17, per USGS gauge 02339500, indicating moderate flow with readable current seams along channel edges. No water temperature reading was returned from the gauge this cycle. With bass largely through spawning, this is a high-opportunity window: fish are aggressive and positioned shallower than they will be by June.

May 17

LakeForkGuy is calling the current window 'the most aggressive crappie bite of the year' in his post-spawn transition coverage — a pattern that historically tracks across southern impoundments right in line with Toledo Bend's mid-May schedule. With Sabine River inflow sitting at just 12.3 cfs per USGS gauge 08025500, the reservoir is receiving minimal runoff, which typically keeps water clarity stable and holds baitfish tight to structure. Surface water temperature data is unavailable from remote sensors this week, but seasonal norms for northwest Louisiana put surface temps in the low-to-mid 80s — squarely in post-spawn territory for largemouth bass. Tactical Bassin's latest sessions from comparable southern impoundments highlight the bluegill spawn as the key trigger driving topwater and heavy-cover bites right now. Louisiana Sportsman notes the LDWF Enforcement Division has stepped up patrols May 16–22 for National Safe Boating Week — wear your PFD and keep running lights handy for early dawn launches.

May 17

GA Sportsman's May 10 Southern Waters report flagged that 'hot weather is now approaching and fish will probably start to move into deeper water' — a transition well underway on Lake Hartwell and Russell heading into the third week of May. Flow on the Savannah system reads 432 cfs at USGS gauge 02192000; no water temperature is on record, but ambient conditions leave little doubt that surface temps are climbing toward summer thresholds. Per Tactical Bassin's blog, the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing, pulling quality bass into shallow heavy cover — frog, popper, and swimbait presentations around laydowns and docks are the seasonal play. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's April reporting tracked crappie stacking on 3–8-foot brush and dock structure during the spawn wave; by mid-May that shallow crappie push is likely tapering. No charter captain or tackle shop reports specific to Hartwell or Russell surfaced in this week's feeds, so conditions here reflect the broader Georgia statewide signals and seasonal expectations for this fishery.

May 17

USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a strong tidal backflow of roughly −80,300 cfs late on May 16, indicating pronounced tidal cycling across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — consistent with the new moon's amplified tidal swings. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge. None of this week's citable regional feeds carried Delta-specific angler reports, so conditions here reflect seasonal patterns typical for mid-May in this system. Striped bass are typically winding down their spring spawning push by the third week of May and scattering from spawning reaches back into main channels and tule edges. Largemouth bass are similarly at or just past the spawn, staging near submerged structure in calmer sloughs. New moon transitions — particularly the first strong ebb-to-flood and flood-to-ebb windows each tidal cycle — traditionally concentrate feeding activity along current seams in the Delta, making timing your drift or anchor critical this weekend.

May 17

USGS gauge 09234500 recorded 1,270 cfs and 49°F on the Green River below Flaming Gorge early Sunday — flows that keep the wading fishery accessible and water temperatures poised to trigger more consistent surface action as the week progresses. No direct shop or captain reports for the Green River corridor appeared in current intel feeds; the on-the-water picture here is built primarily from gauge data and seasonal context. MidCurrent's current tying coverage specifically calls out the GFC Fly — a sparse midge-style pattern — as a top choice for "clear, pressured water of tailraces," a description that fits this stretch precisely. Hatch Magazine's ongoing coverage of caddis emergences is well-timed: May is the traditional peak window for caddis and emerging mayfly activity on Western tailwaters. Brown and rainbow trout should respond well to sub-surface nymph rigs now, with opportunistic dry-fly takes picking up as afternoon temps climb. Target the classic 10 a.m.–2 p.m. window when hatches typically fire on high-altitude tailwaters.

May 17

USGS gauge 09498500 logged the Salt River at 84.5 cfs early this morning — a low, stable reading that typically pushes fish off current seams and into the reservoir's coves, points, and deeper structure. No Arizona-specific catch reports came through this week's national feeds, so conditions here are grounded in seasonal patterns and transferable bass intelligence. Mid-May puts Roosevelt Lake squarely in the post-spawn transition: males may still be loosely guarding fry near shallow cover, while larger females have likely begun staging along their first drops before summer heat sets in. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that the early-summer transition can be exceptional once bass school up — 'when you locate them it can be fish after fish for hours' — and highlights topwater poppers, swimbaits, and chatterbaits as dependable producers at this stage. Tonight's new moon strengthens dawn and dusk feeding windows. Water temperature wasn't available from today's gauge; verify conditions at the ramp.

May 17

USGS gauge 09421500 returned no readings this cycle, and the current intel sweep produced no direct reports from Lake Mead or the lower Colorado striper corridor — this report draws on established seasonal patterns rather than live angler testimony. That said, mid-May is a well-recognized turning point for Nevada's landlocked striper fishery. The spring spawn run, which typically peaks through late March into April in this system, is effectively over. Stripers that gathered in shallow coves and river-arm flats to reproduce are now scattering, with fish already sliding toward main-lake structure and channel edges as surface temperatures begin their summer climb. Early-morning topwater windows — dawn through roughly two hours after sunrise — remain the best shot at intercepting schooling fish before heat-driven stratification pushes bait and predators below the thermocline. Check current Nevada fishing regulations before heading out.

May 17

At 69°F and 63,900 cfs, the Osage River is running warm and notably elevated this week (USGS gauge 06934500), flushing stained water into the upper coves of Lake of the Ozarks. That high flow is the key variable: expect off-color conditions in the upper lake arms while the main channel and lower lake body should hold cleaner water. The fishing picture is compelling despite it. Tactical Bassin's blog reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Midwest reservoirs right now, drawing big largemouth into shallow heavy cover—frogs, topwaters, and swimbaits are the featured presentations. Fishing the Midwest notes that spring shallow-water fishing remains highly productive, with bass often stacked when a school is located. Regionally, Missouri anglers Andrew Sell and Trevor Booth won the inaugural HOPE Classic on Table Rock Lake on May 9 (per Wired 2 Fish), a signal of healthy post-spawn bass populations across the state. New moon tonight sharpens those early-morning and evening feeding windows.

May 17