Fishing Reports

The Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam is running 636 cfs at 48°F (USGS gauge 02334430, measured early May 17) — cold hypolimnetic releases typical of Lanier's deep-draw dam, not representative of warming main-lake surface temps. For bass, the moment that matters most this week is the bluegill spawn: Tactical Bassin (blog) reports it is fully underway across the Southeast, a reliable trigger that pulls big largemouth into shallow heavy cover for topwater action. Frogs over vegetation mats, poppers near dock pilings, and weedless rigs are the go-to presentations. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing noted in April that crappie were stacking in 3–8 feet around brush piles and timber statewide during their spawn — by mid-May those fish are transitioning to deeper summer structure. GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News flagged advancing warm weather already pushing fish toward deeper water, a transition that will steepen through June. Tonight's new moon adds a feeding-edge that should extend into the weekend.

May 17

The USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 61°F and a flow of 194 cfs in the early hours of May 17 — conditions sitting squarely in the trout comfort zone for Great Smoky Mountains streams. Direct on-the-water reports for this specific region were limited this cycle, so this update blends sensor data with seasonal context. Hatch Magazine's current feature on caddis emergences speaks directly to what southern Appalachian trout streams typically serve up in mid-May: twilight caddis flights drawing rainbows and browns into feeding lanes that stay quiet most of the day. Gink and Gasoline (fly) recently flagged warm spring temperatures accelerating hatch timelines on mountain streams — meaning sulphurs and light cahills may be appearing earlier than usual. With flows at 194 cfs providing wading-friendly conditions and the New Moon reducing overnight light, conditions favor a productive nymph bite mid-day and quality dry fly windows at dawn and dusk.

May 17

Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports red drum making a strong push onto the surf at Hatteras and Ocracoke — and the pattern holds coast-wide. Steve of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach is seeing bull reds schooling around the Cape Lookout shoals, accompanied by good-sized bluefish working the same water. Inland on the Pamlico, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication says slot-sized red drum are spread across nearly the entire Neuse River corridor. NOAA buoy 41037 recorded winds near 14 knots with comfortable air temperatures around 74°F this morning — conditions that should keep nearshore boats in play. Atlantic bonito continue to produce excellent action, according to Tex of Tex's Tackle, with fish hitting well from the Liberty Ship out to the 5-mile range off Wrightsville Beach. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors at Swansboro and Emerald Isle adds that surf fishing is finally picking up, with sea mullet, black drum, and the first pompano of the season coming off the beach.

May 17

Water temperatures at 66°F per NOAA buoy 44014 put Chincoteague's nearshore zone squarely in prime spring striper territory. Virginia DWR's spring striped bass fishing report confirms rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and coastal rocky structure throughout Virginia's tidal and coastal zones — exactly the habitat that defines the Eastern Shore's nearshore fishery. On The Water's May 15 migration map shows the spring striper run has now fully extended through the Northeast; OTW Saltwater's May 12 report noted large Chesapeake-class fish pushing into New Jersey and Long Island ahead of the new moon, suggesting Virginia's nearshore waters remain an active staging area for mid-season fish. A 4.9-foot wave height logged this morning at buoy 44014 signals rougher conditions for smaller vessels — check sea state before launching. With the new moon arriving today, tidal current will be pronounced; working inlet mouths and channel drop-offs on the moving water is the primary play.

May 17

Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass fishing report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and rocky structure across Virginia waters this season — a pattern that applies directly to both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island. Landlocked stripers at both reservoirs are likely staging along main-lake channel ledges and points as they recover from the post-spawn scatter. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing on Southern reservoirs, drawing big largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover and setting up an aggressive topwater window — frog fishing through thick vegetation and dock pilings is prime right now. Flukemaster (YT) flags the concurrent shad spawn as a key May trigger, stacking bass near creek mouths and cove flats. USGS gauge 02075045 logs 502 cfs on the Roanoke River below Smith Mountain Dam — stable, moderate flow signaling fishable conditions. Tonight's New Moon focuses feeding activity into the first and last hours of daylight.

May 17

Water at 51°F per NOAA buoy 44065 hasn't slowed the striped bass bite one bit. Capt. Pete Wagner of the Hyper Striper called it "another super week" in Raritan Bay, landing fish to 25 pounds on every trip and noting more linesiders still pushing north (The Fisherman — Northern NJ). On the beach side, the Tackle Box in Hazlet reported Sandy Hook "lit up" with bass hammering bunker chunks and clams, with Jersey Cape Glides and NLBN rubbertails also producing; black drum and a few bluefish mixed into the wash at The Hook on clam baits and yellow mag darts (The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf). OTW Northern New Jersey noted the bay bite eased slightly heading into May 14 while beach action picked up. Black sea bass season opened May 15 — Capt. Ron at Atlantic Highlands found water still too cold for a strong opener on day one, though the bite should improve as temperatures climb through the week.

May 17

Water temps at NOAA buoy 44009 are running 56°F this morning — right in the zone for a productive mid-May window on the Delaware Bay's New Jersey shore. Per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, it's been a phenomenal week of surf fishing statewide, with a fresh push of black drum arriving alongside an already-strong striper run. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports clam-soaking anglers landing stripers to 51 inches and black drum to 38 inches from the surf, with back bay, oceanfront, and jetties all producing on bloodworms and fresh clams. Summer flounder season is open but off to a slow start; pool fish are running 19–22 inches with keeper counts expected to improve as waters warm. Black sea bass season opened May 15 per NJ Fish & Wildlife News — verify current regs before heading out — adding a bottom-fishing option for bay crews. Today's new moon is worth flagging for weakfish along the bay, a timing window specifically noted by The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf.

May 17

Red Top Sporting Goods, reporting via The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, notes that Massachusetts freshwater fishing 'has not missed a beat,' with big trout and largemouth providing steady action heading into mid-May. For Quabbin and Wachusett anglers, that optimism aligns with current conditions: the Swift River outflow below Quabbin is logging a moderate 171 cfs (USGS gauge 01174500), indicating stable reservoir levels ahead of summer drawdown. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this cycle, but mid-May in central Massachusetts typically places surface temps in the low-to-mid 50s°F — prime territory for landlocked salmon and lake trout at Quabbin, and stocked rainbows at Wachusett. Spring trout stocking in Massachusetts is ongoing, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. This weekend's New Moon phase compresses active feeding into low-light windows, so prioritize dawn and dusk launches for the best shots at surface-oriented fish.

May 17

Buzzards Bay is firing on all cylinders this week. Charley Soares in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reports schools of stripers — "very few of them below 37 inches" — breaking on a topwater bite stretching from Fairhaven west toward the Canal's east end. Red Top Sporting Goods confirms slots to jumbos crashing bait in mid to upper Buzzards Bay. Water temperatures of 53–55°F, per NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020, sit squarely in the productive spring striper window. Tautog is also well underway: Red Top notes excellent fishing around canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light. Scup schools are moving onto rock piles from West Island to Wareham, per Charley Soares. Black sea bass season opened May 16, with Capt. Sebastian at Fish Linked Charters and Capt. Carl at Westport River Outfitters already planning dedicated structure trips. The Fisherman (Northeast) calls the regional striper run "supercharged," with 40-pound-class fish now entering New England waters.

May 17

Hatch Magazine's current deep-dive on caddis emergences is well-timed for the Deschutes corridor, where mid-May historically overlaps the salmonfly hatch and the season's first strong caddis push — the river's most celebrated dry-fly window. USGS gauge 14070500 returned no flow or temperature data for this report cycle, leaving us without a hydrograph. With today's New Moon, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should concentrate redside rainbows in riffles and tailouts. MidCurrent's pattern roundup this week highlights midge-style ties for clear, pressured tailrace water, a practical note for lower Deschutes sections where clear-water finesse often outpaces attractor patterns after heavy angling pressure. Upper Klamath Lake trout typically push into shallower margins through May before warming water encourages a deeper retreat. No shop, charter, or agency reports specific to this drainage appeared in this cycle — treat condition notes as seasonal baseline, not confirmed on-the-water intel.

May 17

USGS gauge 14105700 recorded 261,000 cfs and 58°F on the evening of May 16 — a reading that places the Columbia squarely in peak spring Chinook territory. Water at 58°F sits at the upper edge of the prime migration range for spring kings, and the elevated flow reflects active Cascade snowmelt typical for mid-May. No charter, tackle-shop, or state agency catch reports for this region appeared in this cycle's intel feeds; the assessment below is grounded in gauge data and seasonal patterns. IFish.net Fishing Reports posts for the Columbia corridor lean toward lost-and-found items rather than catch tallies, offering no specific current-conditions signal. White sturgeon are a year-round Columbia resident; elevated flows typically push them into deeper mid-channel structure and reward heavy anchor rigs over lighter setups. Verify current retention windows with state regulations before targeting either species — both spring Chinook and sturgeon seasons carry specific harvest rules that vary by reach.

May 17

USGS gauge 12484500 on the Yakima River recorded 1790 cfs as of late May 16, a flow level consistent with active snowmelt drainage typical of mid-May in Eastern Washington. Water temperature was unavailable this cycle. At that flow, the Yakima typically carries light turbidity that pushes trout off mid-current and into softer seams along cutbanks and inside bends — a cue to fish slower water with weighted nymph rigs or soft-hackle swings along the edges. No on-the-water creel or guide reports from the Yakima or Spokane corridors arrived this cycle; WA WDFW Fishing Reports remains the most reliable check for stocking updates and weekly creel counts in the region. With the New Moon arriving today, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should outperform midday surface activity. Post-spawn smallmouth bass in the Spokane River drainage are likely transitioning toward summer feeding structure this week, making rocky current breaks and woody cover worth targeting.

May 17

USGS gauges recorded the Hoh River at 1,260 cfs (gauge 12041200) and the Bogachiel River at 854 cfs (gauge 12035000) on the evening of May 16 — moderate late-spring levels that leave both Olympic Peninsula systems accessible as flows transition away from peak freshet. No water temperature readings were available from either gauge. Angler-intel feeds this cycle returned no Olympic Peninsula-specific reports; no charter dispatches, tackle-shop posts, or creel summaries for the Hoh or Bogachiel appeared in available sources. Based on typical mid-May patterns for the region, late spring Chinook salmon are the primary target on hatchery-supported reaches, with sea-run cutthroat available as a year-round secondary option in the lower river systems. Winter steelhead opportunity has largely wound down for the season; summer steelhead builds slowly through June. Conditions appear fishable at current flows, though clarity and holding-water quality will depend on recent precipitation in the Olympic Mountains headwaters. Verify current WA regulations and per-river hatchery retention rules before launching.

May 17

NOAA buoy 42012 recorded Gulf waters at 75°F this morning, and the Panhandle's bottom bite appears to be responding. Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum noted a productive run out of Ft. Morgan on May 16, landing 15 beeliners (vermilion snapper) and 2 lane snapper despite moderately choppy seas on the outbound leg. Spadefish were encountered in numbers around offshore structure, while triggerfish were present but mostly undersized. A separate forum post noted conditions "slicked off midday," fitting the classic Gulf Panhandle pattern of rough mornings smoothing into workable afternoons. Both buoys 42039 and 42012 are reporting light winds (3–4 m/s), pointing to manageable seas for the days ahead. Salt Strong included the Florida Panhandle in their May 15–17 regional weekend game plan as a region worth targeting. Today's New Moon should amplify tidal flow, a recognized trigger for deepwater feeders on the reef structure south of Destin and Pensacola.

May 17

Water temperatures of 77–79°F — recorded this morning at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — have southwest Florida's inshore fishery firing on all cylinders. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) set a new boat record on May 9th with a 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook at Boca Grande, a catch that confirms what the shop calls "prime time" for the species as fish push toward passes and beaches ahead of the summer spawn. Capt. Chuck Cress from the same shop reports steady action on upper-slot Redfish (20–25 inches) with Trout also appearing on recent trips. Jack Crevalle are actively schooling in Sarasota Bay near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — CB's weekly reports note that early-morning topwater lures and poppers are drawing the most aggressive strikes from these hard-pulling fish. Today's New Moon brings the month's strongest tidal movement through the passes, setting up prime conditions for anglers targeting Snook and Redfish through the weekend.

May 17

ALL IN Key West captains report mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" during the May spawn run, with yellowtail snappers practically jumping into the boat on reef drifts. A Gulf-side trip from the same fleet recently hauled grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish — live bait getting full credit for the action. Winds at Sombrero Key (SMKF1) and Sand Key (SANF1) are running a manageable 11–12 knots this morning with air temperatures near 82°F. The most recent offshore water-temp reading comes from buoy 41114, which showed 78°F in late April; surface temps across the Keys flats and nearshore reef structure have likely climbed into the low 80s by mid-May. On the flats, May is the heart of the tarpon migration through the Keys — a seasonal rhythm no captain's report this week specifically calls out, but one that typically peaks right now. Bottom fishing on deep wrecks and reef structure is the clear standout, with live bait and deep presentations both producing.

May 17

Water temps have climbed to 80°F as of mid-May per NOAA buoy 42043, putting the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre zone squarely in late-spring feeding mode. Texas Fish & Game Magazine reports speckled trout showing in two distinct settings: the open surf at daylight, where topwater lures are drawing explosive strikes, and ship channels, where anglers running electronics to identify depth and structure are locating consistent trout holds. The 37th annual CCA Texas STAR Tournament kicks off this month per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing, which historically concentrates reports and angling pressure across the Texas coast; the same outlet also notes 2026 is shaping up as a record year for Texas anglers statewide. Redfish are seasonally on pace for seagrass flat activity as temps warm, though no source this week specifically called them out for the lower laguna corridor. The new moon on May 17 should drive stronger tidal exchange — a plus for both bay and wade-fishing windows.

May 17

USGS gauge 08030500 on the Sabine River system clocked 2,220 cfs on the morning of May 17 — a moderate late-spring flow that typically keeps Toledo Bend's upper creek arms slightly off-color while the main lake holds fishable clarity. No temperature reading was available at the gauge today, but mid-May in East Texas historically puts surface temps in the low-to-mid 70s. The key takeaway heading into the weekend: the spawn has wrapped. Lake Fork Trophy Bass documented a robust spawn across East Texas waters through April, with bass flooding the shallows and the fishery running about three feet low. By the third week of May that wave has largely crested, and Tactical Bassin identifies the bluegill spawn now as the dominant trigger — big bass are stacking around heavy cover to ambush them, with topwater frogs and hollow-belly baits drawing blowups in the slop. Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights electronics as the go-to edge for targeting giant blue and flathead catfish deeper in the water column at reservoirs like Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn.

May 17

The bluegill spawn is in full swing for Texas bass anglers this week — per Tactical Bassin, that means largemouth are locked on shallow heavy cover and will commit aggressively to topwater frogs and swimbaits. USGS gauge 08158000 logged Colorado River inflow into Lake Travis at 1,740 cfs as of early Sunday morning, a moderate but not flood-stage pulse that may cloud upper-lake creek arms while leaving main-basin visibility intact. Regional reservoir levels are running above last year's benchmarks: My Canyon Lake Fishing reports nearby Canyon Lake sitting eight feet higher than the same date in 2025, with conditions described as "ideal for boating and fishing." Tonight's New Moon sharpens dawn and dusk feeding windows, making the next two to three days some of the better low-light topwater opportunities of early summer. No direct on-water reports for Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan surfaced in this cycle; the conditions picture is built from regional and seasonal context.

May 17

Water at NOAA buoy 46026 reads 50°F as of early Sunday morning, and Chinook salmon conditions are described as 'vastly improved' below Pigeon Point, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, operating out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, reports surface temperature dropped to 54°F from 58°F at the April 11 season opener — a shift that pushed bonita off the grounds and brought kings back into favorable range. Heavy offshore swell is the near-term obstacle: NOAA buoy 46013 logged 16.4-foot seas and 16 m/s winds early this morning, conditions that will keep most small-craft operators dockside out of Bodega Bay and the Farallon corridor. New Moon tonight brings darker predawn skies and stronger tidal exchanges — typically concentrating the bite window for those willing to wait for a calmer launch.

May 17

Water temps of 63–65°F—recorded at NOAA buoys 46221 and 46025 on the morning of May 17—are running significantly above seasonal expectations, reshaping the Southern California bite calendar. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that these unseasonably warm conditions off the California coast have drawn bluefin, yellowfin, and even an albacore into reachable range, with the first San Diego-fleet albacore in years landing on April 30 aboard the Tribute. That warm-water pattern appears to extend toward the Channel Islands and LA Bight, where pelagic action normally builds later in summer. On the surf side, Surf Fishing in So Cal's spring season preview notes a "strange start" to the year but points to corbina and leopard shark as reliable targets from sandy beaches as conditions firm up. Moderate swell of 4.9–5.9 ft (per both buoys) and the new-moon tidal pull add timing variables—work the incoming tide on calmer windows for the best surf action.

May 17

The Reno Fly Shop's late-April field report from the adjacent eastern Sierra Nevada corridor noted that 'area stillwaters are full and fishing well' as spring flows stabilized — a promising indicator heading into the mid-May window. USGS gauge 10265200 returned no live readings at time of publication, so exact stream flow and water temperature remain unconfirmed; verify conditions locally before committing to a river wade. For stillwater fishing, Reno Fly Shop guides pointed to tungsten balanced leeches, micro holo midges, the Yankee Buzzer, and mini jigged leeches as top producers in late April. Stream fishing across Eastern Sierra drainages is likely challenged by snowmelt runoff this time of year, pushing fish toward slower margins and backeddies. Today's new moon (May 17) sets up low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk on both lakes and accessible streams. Check local conditions before heading out.

May 17

USGS gauge 05129115 is registering 1,070 cfs on May 17 — active spring runoff across the Iron Range drainage — with no water temperature reading available this cycle. No direct charter, tackle-shop, or state-agency reports from the Boundary Waters or Iron Range appear in this cycle's feeds. Fishing the Midwest notes that early-season conditions across the upper Midwest favor shallow flats and slow-trolling presentations, with jig-and-minnow rigs holding up as a dependable walleye opener setup — a technique that translates directly to Iron Range lakes in mid-May. Northern pike, well past their spawn by now, should be pushing actively into warmer bays. Lake trout remain a quiet but reliable target in the cold BWCA basins. The new moon peaking today sharpens feeding windows at dawn and dusk, a pattern that tends to be pronounced in the remote, low-pressure lakes of the Boundary Waters.

May 17

USGS gauge 04015330 registered 37.7 cfs on May 17, placing North Shore tributaries at low-to-moderate flow — clear, wadeable conditions for anglers still targeting late-season spring run fish. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but mid-May along this coast typically sees stream temps climbing into the range that marks the tail end of steelhead and brown trout migrations. Direct on-the-ground reports specific to MN North Shore waters are sparse in today's intel feed; treat these condition windows as tentative and verify locally before making the drive. Across the lake on the Wisconsin side, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has highlighted a growing lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay area, with the agency actively seeking angler input to guide management — a sign of open-water momentum building across the broader Lake Superior basin. With a new moon falling this weekend, low-light windows at dawn and dusk are worth building your schedule around.

May 17