Fishing Reports

Water temps at NOAA buoy 46042 are reading 56°F off Monterey, and that cool reading is precisely the signal salmon chasers have been waiting for. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports the Central Coast Chinook situation has shaped up to be "actually looking pretty good," with northwest winds driving an upwelling event that pulls nutrient-rich cold water to the surface and concentrates baitfish from the Santa Cruz area southward. Up at Half Moon Bay, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady (via Western Outdoor News — Saltwater) says water below Pigeon Point has fallen to 54°F after the season opened four degrees warmer, a swing he calls game-changing. The waxing gibbous moon and building northwest swell running at 6.6 ft at buoys 46042 and 46028 are keeping conditions sporty, so plan early-morning departures before afternoon wind builds. Rockfish and lingcod hold on structure throughout the region as typical for late May saltwater conditions.

1d ago

USGS gauge 11447650 on the Sacramento River recorded 69°F and 12,900 cfs this morning, the only direct conditions signal available for the Delta this cycle. At nearly 70 degrees, largemouth bass have largely cleared their beds and are shifting into post-spawn recovery patterns along tule edges and submerged grass lines. Striped bass, which finish their upper-Sacramento spawn earlier in the season, are dispersing back into the Delta's channel network and hunting baitfish wherever the elevated flow creates rip seams and back-eddies. Channel catfish are entering one of their most productive temperature windows of the year at this reading. No specific Delta captain or tackle-shop reports were available from our sources this cycle; conditions here reflect gauge data paired with what is typical for this region at this time of year. The building waxing gibbous moon is amplifying tidal swing in the lower channels — plan around moving water for the best bite windows this week.

1d ago

USGS gauge 15266300 recorded 3,060 cfs and a water temperature of 43°F on the Kenai drainage as of the morning of May 26, setting a cold, high-water baseline for the week. At 43°F, fish hold tight to slack water, seams, and hydraulic breaks rather than burning energy in the main current. No charter or tackle-shop reports specific to the Kenai or interior rivers appeared in this week's feeds; AK Sea Grant's current public coverage centers on coastal community work, a ComFish fishing-skills competition in Kodiak, and research partnerships with remote coastal communities, none of which speak to in-river conditions here. Based on historical late-May timing, the early king salmon run is typically underway or imminent on the lower Kenai, making this one of the most anticipated windows of the Alaska sport fishing calendar. Anglers should verify current regulations and any emergency order updates before targeting kings, as early-season openings can shift on short notice.

1d ago

Water temps reading 78°F at NOAA buoy 42012 confirm that the Gulf Coast's prime warm-season inshore window is open across Mobile Bay and the surrounding nearshore Gulf. Salt Strong's recent video content has been zeroing in on exactly the species that thrive in these conditions: redfish holding tight to oyster bar edges, black drum stacking under bridges and piers, and sheepshead demanding a patient, precise presentation to land. Winds are running light at 4 to 5 meters per second across both buoy stations, conditions that favor shallow poling and sight-casting when the weather cooperates. Anglers should keep an eye on the sky: isolated thunderstorm cells have been disrupting early departures in the Pensacola corridor this week, and similar pop-up activity can roll across Mobile Bay on short notice. The waxing gibbous moon building toward full should produce strengthening tidal push over the next few days, concentrating bait and gamefish on current edges and structure points.

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Shellcracker are producing memorable catches along the Savannah chain in late May. On May 20, GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News reported Phil Black setting a new Lake Tugalo record with a 2-lb., 3.26-oz. redear sunfish taken on a worm and spinning rod. That benchmark fits the broader picture: per the Georgia Wildlife Blog, warming water has pushed bream species onto shallow beds near brush piles, docks, and fallen timber. Bass are also in the mix. Joshua Barber's May 23 report in GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News noted that panfish and bass have been biting well this week, with Jimmy Zinker boating a 6-lb. largemouth on a Muskie Jitterbug during a night session. The USGS gauge on the Savannah River (site 02192000) logged 8,070 cfs this morning, reflecting stable managed releases through the chain. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge; check locally before heading out.

1d ago

The USGS Osage River gauge (06934500) clocked 69°F and a high-volume 145,000 cfs Tuesday morning, pointing to heavy dam discharge from Lake of the Ozarks following recent upstream rain events. At 69°F, bass across this stretch are squarely in the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish's deep-dive on late-May bass behavior flags what anglers here are likely seeing: a split field of aggressive fish gorging on shad spawns in the backs of creeks, plus spooky shallow males guarding fry that won't commit to a big bait. On the lake proper, main-lake points, long secondary coves, and any creek mouth drawing off the current are the likeliest staging zones. The elevated Osage River flow below Bagnell Dam is the biggest variable on the system right now. Catfish and white bass will be holding tight to current seams, while river wading and kayak access is limited. Crappie should still be findable in 8 to 14 feet near submerged brush. Check current conditions before launching.

1d ago

Water temperature clocking in at 51°F and flows measured at 6,790 cfs by USGS gauge 06192500 this morning tell the late-May story: snowmelt runoff is in full swing. Wading should be approached with genuine caution at these volumes, and productive fishing means targeting slower seams along cut banks, behind mid-channel boulders, and in any protected backwater rather than attempting to reach mid-river runs. Nymphing with heavier tungsten rigs will outperform most other presentations until flows begin to ease. Dry-fly opportunity is real but narrow: midday windows can produce PMD and early caddis activity on protected flats and spring creek tributaries where velocity drops. Per Flylab (Substack), veteran Yellowstone guide John Juracek notes that hatch timing and the relative importance of specific emergences have shifted measurably over the past three decades. It is a useful reminder to stay flexible with fly selection rather than relying on an older hatch calendar this spring.

1d ago

USGS gauge 12372000 put the Flathead River at 25,000 cfs and 54°F at dawn on May 26, textbook peak-runoff conditions for western Montana's late-May calendar. At flows this high, wading on the Flathead tributaries and Bitterroot main stem is difficult, and visibility in the faster channels will be marginal at best. No regional shop or charter reports for these specific waters appeared in this update's feed, so conditions below reflect gauge data and late-May seasonal patterns. Flathead Lake remains the most accessible option: lake trout (mackinaw) are holding in deeper columns where the cold, clear main-body water has not fully turned over, while westslope cutthroat and bull trout tend to stack near tributary mouths this time of year as snowmelt keeps rivers running swift. On the Bitterroot, expect fish tight to cut banks and inside eddies; weighted streamers and heavy nymphs are the practical play when turbidity limits visibility.

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MLF News reports the Arkansas River near Muskogee, Oklahoma, is 'currently on a high' with big bags more common now than they have ever been on the river, a strong signal for the Lake Eufaula corridor as the late-May fishing season hits its stride. USGS gauge 07331600 logged 79.8 cfs this morning, reflecting moderate and stable tributary flows into these reservoirs. The waxing gibbous moon, building toward full, should extend feeding windows at first light and again at dusk across both lakes. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn overview confirms that bass throughout the region are now transitioning off the beds. Some are feeding aggressively on shad spawns and bream activity, while others remain shallow but spooky and call for finesse presentations. At Lake Texoma, late May is historically the heart of the striper season. Lake Eufaula's largemouth are likely shifting to secondary points and channel drops. Per Tactical Bassin, swimbaits and chatterbaits are earning bites in comparable post-spawn conditions on similar southern reservoirs.

1d ago

Water temps at 56°F per NOAA buoy 44065 are anchoring a productive late-May striper run at Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Surf coverage captured a standout super slam at the Hook's tip this week: one angler landing striped bass, bluefish, fluke, black drum, and blackfish in a single session on live-killie bobber rigs out of Hazlet. Bug Light is producing big bass to 30 pounds on metal lip swimmers and glide baits, and Keansburg Pier is connecting on clam chunks. Blue Chip Sportfishing describes the current striper action as the best possible, with limits on every trip. OTW Northern New Jersey confirms stripers, bluefish, and black drum all on the beaches as of May 21. Sea bass remain the weak link: Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands reports the first keeper action of the season but with a 5-to-1 shorts-to-keepers ratio, and multiple party boat captains note numbers well below last season. A warming Memorial Day forecast is the catalyst anglers are counting on.

1d ago

NOAA buoy 44020 is reading 59°F, warm enough to flip the switch on Buzzards Bay's spring bite. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters reported a banner week: stripers from schoolies to the high 30-inch class throughout Buzzards Bay, with topwater action running from Fairhaven to the west end of the Canal. A worm hatch brought fly fishing into the mix. Red Top Sporting Goods described conditions as 'dealer's choice,' with bass schools working bait nearly all over the bay and the season's first bluefish spotted off Mattapoisett and Wareham. The Fisherman's Charley Soares confirmed both stripers and spotty bluefish schools in Buzzards Bay, adding that the Canal held strong at both ends. Jumbo scup have stacked up throughout the bay and the tautog bite remains active on green crab, though Red Top flagged tightening bait supply. Black sea bass are showing, but legal-sized fish remain scarce.

1d ago

The Lake Fork Trophy Bass guide service reported clients catching "a lot of big bass" through April as the spawn reached full swing, with fish running about 3 feet below pool on a reservoir the guide described as "in great shape." By late May, Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn are in the post-spawn transition: largemouth bass have cleared the beds and are recovering, a phase that per Wired 2 Fish splits the fish between aggressive shad chasers and finesse-oriented shallow loners. LakeForkGuy (YT) is calling this "the most aggressive crappie bite of the year" using post-spawn tactics, a promising signal for the timber-rich structure on these East Texas reservoirs. The Neches River, which feeds Sam Rayburn's watershed, is running at 2,060 cfs (USGS gauge 08030500), a moderate and stable flow that keeps water clarity in check. No gauge temperature is available, but late-May surface temps on East Texas lakes typically settle in the mid-to-upper 70s. A waxing gibbous moon sharpens feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

1d ago

NOAA buoy 46041 off the outer Washington coast recorded 15.4-foot wave heights on May 26, while buoy 46087 near the Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance measured 12.8 feet. Both stations show significant Pacific swell despite light surface winds under 9 mph, pointing to offshore energy rather than active local weather. Air temperatures are running cool, around 51°F at the outer coast and 49°F near Neah Bay, and no water temperature data was available from either station. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms statewide creel-interview monitoring is active across marine areas, but specific bite conditions for this reporting cycle were not available in the feed. Without direct charter or tackle shop reports in hand, species assessments below reflect typical late-May seasonal patterns: Chinook salmon begin building through Memorial Day weekend in Puget Sound and coastal zones, halibut season is typically open on the outer coast, and lingcod hold steady on rocky structure throughout the sound.

1d ago

Water at NOAA buoy 44009 reads 59°F this morning, landing squarely in the productive late-spring window for Virginia's coastal waters. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog confirms striped bass are actively schooling across Virginia's tidal system this spring, with fish stacking along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky coastal structure. The broader migration context is encouraging: The Fisherman (Northeast) reports a spring push of 20- to 30-pound fish "the likes of which we haven't seen in many years" working up the coast. On The Water's May 22 striper migration map notes the run is cycling through peaks and valleys tied to moon phases, and with a Waxing Gibbous building toward full, the next surge window is setting up now. Winds were light at 2 m/s this morning, keeping conditions calm and fishable. Summer flounder are seasonally present at the mouth, though specific Chesapeake-mouth intel was limited in this reporting cycle.

1d ago

Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report finds rockfish actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds throughout Virginia's tidal rivers this week. On The Water's May 22 striper migration map flags the period around moons as the spring run's peak windows, and the current waxing gibbous phase lines up squarely with that timing. On the freshwater side, USGS gauge 01646500 logged 31,800 cfs on the Potomac at Little Falls as of the morning of May 26, an elevated reading that will push smallmouth out of main-channel seams and into slower eddies, boulder pockets, and backwater structure. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge. Virginia DWR also flags a regional drought affecting southeastern Virginia's smaller tributary streams, which may concentrate fish in the deepest remaining pools on upper Shenandoah feeders. Focus on structure, fish slack water for smallmouth, and target tidal grass bed edges at dawn for stripers this weekend.

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NOAA buoy 41004 recorded 78°F water temperatures offshore on May 26, signaling warm conditions across South Carolina's nearshore zone heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Fisherman's Post (Carolinas saltwater) reports a strong red drum push along the Carolina beaches, with bull reds showing at nearshore shoals and surf action picking up from the Outer Banks southward. Black drum are also active, with Fisherman's Post noting catches around coastal structure. Offshore, a significant development adds incentive for blue-water runs: Sport Fishing Mag reports South Carolina is among the states granted expanded 2026 red snapper seasons through exempted fishing permits this summer. Anglers should verify current federal regulations before targeting snapper, as Coastal Angler Magazine notes a federal court action complicated the season opener in adjacent states. Today's 5.2-foot seas at buoy 41004 favor staying inshore; Charleston Harbor's tidal creeks, dock pilings, and nearshore structure are well-positioned to produce through the weekend.

1d ago

MLF News reports Lake Murray is 'loaded with quality bass' heading into the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American this week, with tournament organizers projecting 'a strong postspawn or early summer bite' for the Columbia, S.C. showdown. That assessment aligns with late May freshwater conditions across both systems: bass have largely completed spawning and are working back toward main-lake humps and channel bends, feeding aggressively to rebuild. Per B.A.S.S. News, Santee Cooper Lakes will host a Bassmaster Kayak Series event May 30–31, adding further evidence of strong regional confidence in the bite right now. USGS gauge 02160390 registered 407 cfs this morning, indicating moderate, stable flow on the watershed. No water temperature reading is currently available from local gauges. With a Waxing Gibbous moon building toward full, dawn and dusk feeding windows should remain productive through the holiday weekend.

1d ago

Water temps of 62°F logged this morning by USGS gauge 01540500 on the Susquehanna place smallmouth bass squarely in their post-spawn feeding window. Flows are running elevated at 19,200 cfs, pushing the main-channel bite off into eddies, protected bank seams, and slack water behind wing dams and mid-river boulders. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown notes that fish exiting the beds split into two camps: aggressors gorging on shad and baitfish, and shallower holdouts that are spooky and slow to commit. Reading which camp you are dealing with determines your presentation. No direct PA-specific bite reports from tackle shops or agency biologist feeds surfaced in today's intel pull; this snapshot is built from gauge data and regional behavior patterns consistent with this temperature range. Anglers targeting the upper Allegheny drainage should note PA Sea Grant's active monitoring of invasive Round Goby spread in Northwestern PA waterways.

1d ago

USGS gauge 05054000 recorded the Red River at 729 cfs and 62°F on the morning of May 26, placing these systems squarely in the post-spawn walleye feeding window. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) dropped 'May Walleye Craziness' and an 'Anything Goes on Devils Lake' episode this week, consistent with the elevated activity anglers typically see when ND waters warm into the low 60s. AnglingBuzz (YT) featured guide Jason Freed with a dedicated slip bobber breakdown for walleye, a presentation well-matched to the Red River's moderate current at current flow levels. The waxing gibbous moon should extend active bites into low-light morning and evening windows. Fishing the Midwest notes spinning gear has returned to favor for walleye jig presentations, a natural fit at these flow levels where fish concentrate along current seams. No direct charter or tackle shop reports from ND waters appeared in this cycle's intel feed; the picture here draws on gauge data, regional Midwest sources, and seasonal patterns for late May.

1d ago

Water temps holding at 56°F across both NOAA buoys (44065 and 44091) this morning, and the cool reading hasn't slowed the spring striped bass surge one bit. Fishermans HQ LBI reports the Long Beach Island surf bite "continues to fire on all cylinders," with clam baits producing fish from north to south end of the island on any tide. Blue Chip Sportfishing declares it "the best Striper Fishing possible," a sentiment echoed by shops and captains from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Just ahead of the holiday weekend, bluefish have arrived: The Fisherman's Central NJ roundup logged a 9.15-pound chopper on May 17, and OTW Northern New Jersey confirms blues, stripers, and black drum are all showing on the beaches as of May 21. Offshore, The Fisherman's NJ/DE offshore section reports an "all out crazy" yellowfin bite at the Bacardi with fish running to 90 pounds. Sea bass remain the weak link, with northern NJ party boats running well below last season's numbers.

1d ago

Walleye action on Lake Michigan's west side has been the highlight heading into Memorial Day weekend, with anglers on Michigan Sportsman Forum reporting consistent catches while jigging 30-35 feet in 62°F surface temps on May 25. A Memorial Day outing on the same stretch found a two-man limit on Flicker Shads trolled 35 feet back in 11-14 feet of water, a shallower approach that also paid off. Coho salmon are starting to show near the Thumb: a Harbor Beach angler landed a pair of spring cohos on May 25 per Michigan Sportsman Forum, though peak coho action is likely still a couple of weeks away. The Grand River is running elevated at 4,560 cfs as of May 26 per USGS gauge 04119000, conditions that typically push bass into slower eddy water and tributary mouths for cleaner current. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report flags active commercial netting gear near several popular Lake Michigan ports; watch for orange-flagged buoys on any early-morning run.

1d ago

The Patapsco River (USGS gauge 01589000) is running 148 cfs this morning, keeping flows in a fishable, wade-friendly range. No Potomac or Patapsco-specific shop reports surfaced this cycle, but regional context from The Fisherman (DE/MD/Chesapeake) places coastal Chesapeake-area water temps in the mid-to-upper 50s as of mid-May. The late-May warming trend should have pushed upstream tributary temps into the low 60s by now. On The Water's May 22 striper migration map confirms the spring striped bass run remains active across the mid-Atlantic corridor, timed well with this week's waxing gibbous moon. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown notes fish coming off beds split into two camps: aggressive feeders gorging on shad spawns and spooky, finesse-oriented fish holding near fry schools. Expect both patterns along Patapsco pools and Potomac tidal stretches through the Memorial Day weekend.

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NOAA buoy 42001 recorded 82°F Gulf surface water on May 26, a reading that signals the full arrival of summer-mode fishing across Louisiana's inshore marshes and coastal bays. Salt Strong's most recent coverage documents redfish positioning tight to oyster bar edges, with drone and underwater footage illustrating the ambush-ready structure that defines late-spring inshore action in these waters. Black drum around bridge pilings and pier structure are drawing attention as well, per Salt Strong's current technique content. Outer Gulf conditions at buoy 42067 show 3.6-foot seas and winds near 15 knots, pointing inshore skiff anglers toward protected bays and shallow backwater marsh runs this week. Louisiana Sportsman flagged LDWF and NOAA joint enforcement patrols in the Gulf on May 23, a timely reminder to verify your federal regulations before any offshore trip. The waxing gibbous moon is building tidal pull that should concentrate baitfish in passes and along marsh-edge drop-offs through the coming days.

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The Wabash River registered 5,890 cfs at USGS gauge 03335500 early Tuesday morning, running at a fishable spring flow with no water temperature reading available from this gauge. Bass across Indiana's inland waters are deep in the post-spawn transition for late May, a phase Wired 2 Fish describes as splitting fish into two distinct groups: aggressive feeders keyed onto shad and bream-bed activity, and spooky shallow fish that demand finesse presentations. Tactical Bassin's recent smallmouth coverage for Northern waters points to paddle-tail swimbaits as reliable producers during this stage. On the Lake Michigan side, Indiana's late May window typically lines up with the southern-lake coho push; Michigan Sportsman Forum chatter from May 25 notes spring cohos appearing at nearby ports just north of the state line, though this is unconfirmed forum chatter rather than verified testimony. Fishing the Midwest underscores rivers as productive destinations through summer, with current breaks and structure the primary focus. The waxing gibbous moon sets up active low-light windows for the week ahead.

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