Fishing Reports

Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports the surf along Hatteras and Ocracoke has come fully alive, with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches. NOAA buoys 41025 and 41013 put water temperatures at 77–78°F, right in the range that historically fires late-spring drum activity. Farther down the Crystal Coast, Steve of Chasin' Tails (Morehead/Atlantic Beach) notes bull red drum working the shoals around Cape Lookout, with plenty of good-sized bluefish in the mix. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors out of Swansboro and Emerald Isle reports sea mullet, black drum, and early big pompano beginning to show in the surf, signaling the broader nearshore run is just getting started. On the backwaters, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized red drum pushing across nearly the full breadth of the Neuse River. With a waxing gibbous moon adding tidal pull and warm, stable ocean temps, this is shaping up as one of the stronger late-May fishing windows on the NC coast.

1d ago

Water at 63°F on the upper Hudson (USGS gauge 01357500) signals prime late-May conditions across the Hudson Valley. NY DEC's Fishing Line confirms the coolwater sportfish season opened May 1, with the inland striped bass run well underway since the April 1 opener. On The Water's May 22 striper migration map notes the spring run tracks closely with moon cycles; with a waxing gibbous overhead this week, timing favors active feeding windows. Across the broader New York freshwater system, Brookdog Fishing Co. reports smallmouth bass are getting spawny and sliding shallow, a pattern echoed by Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn breakdown, which notes bass cycling from beds into recovery and feeding aggressively near shad spawns. NY DEC's May 22 Fishing Line also flags that musky season is just around the corner for Finger Lakes anglers, worth checking regulations closely. Flow on the Hudson is running robust at 11,500-18,000 cfs (USGS gauges 01357500 and 01358000), keeping water slightly stained but moving bait.

1d ago

USGS gauge 10311000 recorded the Truckee River at 328 cfs on May 25, a moderate and increasingly wade-friendly stage for late May in the Sierra Nevada, suggesting snowmelt has either peaked or is tracking lighter than average this season. Rainbow and brown trout are becoming more accessible as visibility improves at these flows. No region-specific charter or shop reports reached our feeds this cycle, so conditions are drawn from gauge data and seasonal pattern rather than on-the-water testimony. The waxing gibbous moon opens strong low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk; trout should concentrate in riffles and plunge pools during those hours. Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage this week frames the approach well: selective trout in clear, pressured water reward precise presentations and high-contrast patterns over aggressive retrieves. On the lake, Tahoe's mackinaw and kokanee are entering their late-spring descent into cooler mid-column depths.

1d ago

Clint Knight's 62-pound, 2-ounce three-day total at the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open on Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley (per B.A.S.S. News) signals that bass across the Kentucky corridor are in prime post-spawn feeding form. That pattern carries to the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, where USGS gauge 03301500 is recording 6,500 cfs of moderate flow that concentrates baitfish along current seams and channel edges. Wired 2 Fish describes this post-spawn phase as split: some fish are aggressively gorging on shad spawns while others stay shallow and spooky near cover. Tactical Bassin highlights swimbaits and chatterbaits for aggressive post-spawn fish, with finesse presentations (the Neko rig in particular) as a reliable fall-back when bass go lockjawed. Catfish are entering their prime late-spring feeding window on both rivers, with deep holes and current breaks as the standard holding structure. The waxing gibbous moon this week extends evening and dawn feeding windows for all species.

1d ago

The Illinois River at USGS gauge 05586100 clocked 16,100 cfs on May 25, signaling elevated spring flows that are pushing color through the main channel and scattering fish off primary structure. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, though late May typically puts central Illinois river water in the mid-60s. Largemouth bass are in the heart of the post-spawn transition: Wired 2 Fish notes that fish fresh off the beds right now split into two camps, with aggressive feeders piling onto shad spawns and shallow edges while spooked fish demand finesse presentations. On Lake Michigan, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant highlights that its three nearshore Chicago-area buoys are newly deployed for the season, providing real-time data on wave height and water conditions. Tactical Bassin recommends paddle-tail swimbaits for Great Lakes smallmouth during this mid-spring window. The waxing gibbous moon this week should push feeding activity into late-evening windows and set up a strong weekend bite.

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NOAA buoy 51004 is logging 79°F at the surface offshore Hawaii, with buoy 51001 reading 77°F. These warm conditions align with the transition into Hawaii's prime blue marlin and mahi-mahi window as late May arrives. Trade winds are holding steady at 9 to 10 m/s across all three monitoring stations, and wave heights reached 9.5 ft at buoy 51002 and 6.6 ft at buoy 51004, signaling moderate-to-rough offshore conditions that call for a capable vessel and careful departure timing. No Hawaii-specific charter or tackle-shop reports reached our feeds this cycle, so we are pairing buoy data with the seasonal calendar. With a Waxing Gibbous moon moving toward full, Saltwater Sportsman notes how veteran offshore captains build their summer calendars around full-moon windows as prime wahoo (ono) periods. Sub-surface trolling tactics covered in Saltwater Sportsman, including skirted ballyhoo combos and Ilander-style rigs run just below the chop, are well-suited to current sea states and worth building into any offshore spread this week.

1d ago

The headline story on Georgia's Atlantic coast this week is regulatory whiplash around red snapper. Sport Fishing Mag reported that South Atlantic states, including Georgia, had secured approval for greatly expanded 2026 red snapper seasons via exempted fishing permits, offering anglers an extended offshore window. Then, per Coastal Angler Magazine, a federal court halted the Atlantic red snapper season just one day before its planned Memorial Day launch. Anglers should verify current regulations before making offshore runs: typical advice, but unusually urgent right now. Beyond the regulatory news, NOAA buoy 41008 logged air temperatures near 80 degrees F and winds around 14 knots early Tuesday morning, consistent with manageable late-May offshore conditions. Nearshore waters are entering their prime window for Spanish mackerel and king mackerel, while structure-oriented flounder should be holding over inshore reefs and hard bottom as the late-spring season fully kicks in.

1d ago

Water temperatures holding at 81°F (NOAA buoy 42036) have locked the southwest Gulf Coast into one of the season's premier fishing windows. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting fish as they push through the area: mornings are dedicated to jumping and landing quality tarpon, while afternoons pivot to steady permit sight-fishing on large fish. The variety extends offshore, too. Naples captains are also posting consistent kingfish action on plugs and flies, along with cobia, amberjacks, and a rotating cast of additional species. Wave heights of 3.6 to 4.3 feet (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039) and light-to-moderate winds point to manageable offshore conditions. The waxing gibbous moon adds productive evening feeding windows worth building a schedule around. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters sums up the current scene as 'as good as it gets for this time of year.'

1d ago

The USGS gauge at Salida recorded the Arkansas River running at 2,580 cfs with water temperatures hitting 64°F on May 25, warmer than typical for late May and a direct consequence of a historically lean snowpack winter. Cutthroat Anglers, guiding Summit County rivers since 1999, called this winter 'historic for all the wrong reasons,' noting that runoff cycles are compressed and arriving earlier than anticipated. The silver lining, per that same shop: fish are 'active, grouped up, and ready to bite for the angler willing to hike a little further or cast a little lighter.' Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing reinforces that early-season momentum, reporting unusually warm conditions with reliable midge hatches already underway and the river 'waking up much earlier than normal.' AvidMax Blog has spotlighted midge emergers, jigged CDC PT tungsten nymphs, and small streamers as productive tailwater patterns, all well-suited to the technical, lower-than-average flows this low-snowpack season is delivering.

1d ago

USGS gauge 09380000 recorded 58°F and 8,110 cfs on the Colorado River on May 25, putting water temperatures squarely in the prime trout feeding window for the Lees Ferry tailwater. MidCurrent notes that midge-style patterns excel in clear, pressured water of tailraces, and that profile fits Lees Ferry well this week; small nymphs and CDC dries are the logical approach. On the Salt River, the bass fishery is deep in the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish reports that post-spawn largemouth split into two camps: aggressive fish gorging on shad spawns and bream buffets, and spooky, finesse-only individuals. Tactical Bassin highlights the Neko rig as a versatile answer for both shallow and deeper structure during this window. The waxing gibbous moon favors extended feeding into the evening hours across both drainages, and early mornings and late evenings remain the most reliable windows for both systems.

1d ago

USGS gauge 08025500 logged the Sabine River at 93.1 cfs on the afternoon of May 25, a lean late-spring reading that typically promotes clearer conditions in Toledo Bend's upper arms and tightens the visual game for pressured largemouth. The reservoir is deep in the post-spawn window, and Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn bass breakdown captures the split typical at this stage: one contingent of aggressive fish gorging on shad spawns near shallow cover and flats, another staying spooky and reluctant near recently vacated beds. The waxing gibbous moon extends productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Hatch Magazine recently profiled the Sabine River and its robust gar population, underscoring the river corridor's predator richness through summer. Crappie have likely wrapped their spawning run and begun pushing to deeper brush. No temperature reading was logged at the gauge this cycle; late-May surface temps on Toledo Bend typically run in the upper 70s.

1d ago

Water temperature at 62°F (USGS gauge 04232050, May 25) puts the Finger Lakes squarely in post-spawn bass territory heading into Memorial Day weekend. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown describes a split population: some fish are already off the bed and gorging aggressively on shad and forage, while others linger near shallow structure in a spooky, lockjaw mode. At 62°F under a waxing gibbous moon, the aggressive contingent should dominate early morning and evening windows on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Tactical Bassin's smallmouth guide for northern, clear-water fisheries points to swimbaits, tube baits, and finesse presentations as consistent producers at this stage. Outlet flow at gauge 04232050 is a mild 70.5 cfs, suggesting stable lake levels and no significant inflow disruption. Lake trout and brown trout are retreating to deeper, cooler water as surface temps climb toward their upper comfort zone.

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The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented record coho salmon harvest in 2024, with over 210,000 coho caught lake-wide, the highest figure on record, and more than 160,000 Chinook, the strongest showing since 2012. The agency ties both milestones to recent robust alewife year classes that improved survival rates for stocked fish, suggesting 2026 salmon populations enter the season in strong shape. With May 25 landing squarely in the traditional peak window for nearshore coho action along the Chicago lakefront, pier anglers and trollers should be targeting the upper water column during early-morning low-light windows. No current water temperature readings are available for the Illinois shoreline this week, and no charter or tackle-shop reports are in hand. Conditions should be confirmed with local operators before launching. Chinook action typically begins building offshore in late May as alewife forage concentrates ahead of the midsummer peak.

1d ago

USGS gauge 07060710 recorded 74°F water and just 12.7 cfs on the afternoon of May 25, warm and low conditions that push rainbow and brown trout into the deepest, coldest lies available below Norfork and Bull Shoals dams. At that temperature, trout are heat-stressed and unlikely to chase aggressively; short windows at first light are your best bet before surface temps climb with the sun. No White River-specific reports from our network of regional shops or captains appear in this week's feeds, so the gauge is telling most of the story. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage calls out midge-style patterns as the right tool for "clear, pressured water of tailraces," a description that fits current conditions on both tailwaters precisely. If you're making the trip this weekend, target the earliest morning hours and any cool tributary inflows you can find. Verify state regulations and any thermal-stress advisories before fishing.

1d ago

Flow on USGS gauge 03413200 is reading 66.6 cfs, putting the Cumberland River tailwater in a low, wading-friendly stage for late May. Bass on Lake Cumberland are deep in the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish describes the split personality well: some fish are aggressively gorging on shad spawns and bream bed buffets, while others hang shallow and go spooky, reluctant to eat large or aggressive baits. Tactical Bassin's recent post-spawn content from a comparable Southern reservoir shows swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse rigs all producing as light conditions and water clarity shift throughout the day. On the tailwater itself, MidCurrent notes that spare midge-style patterns perform well in the clear, pressured water of tailraces, a description that fits the Cumberland's regulated lower reach closely. Striped bass on the main lake are likely gravitating toward deeper structure as surface temps push toward early summer ranges, though no direct reports from this water are in hand this week.

1d ago

Water temperature at USGS gauge 03512000 hit 69°F by late afternoon on May 25, putting Smokies streams at the warm edge of what trout handle comfortably. At that reading, midday fishing slows as fish drop to cooler slots and reduce feeding activity, but morning and evening windows remain productive. Flylords Mag flags the Green Drake as one of the East Coast's signature May-June hatches, and Western NC streams are typically in the middle of that emergence right now, alongside active sulphur and caddis cycles. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage emphasizes surface and film patterns as hatch activity fires, a useful indicator that selective dry-fly opportunities are available in the evenings. Flow sits at 403 cfs, offering workable wading access. No direct shop or charter reports from Smokies outfitters came through in this cycle's intel, so conditions are grounded in gauge data and seasonal context.

1d ago

NOAA buoy 44014 put water temps at 62°F off the Virginia coast on May 25, right in the prime range for spring coastal fishing along the Eastern Shore. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass update is the anchor report this week: rockfish are actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines in coastal Virginia waters, the conditions that define the Chincoteague sound and barrier island inlets this time of year. Regionally, The Fisherman (Northeast) is characterizing the current striper run as one featuring 20- to 30-pound fish, 'the likes of which we haven't seen in many years.' On The Water's striper migration map (May 22) notes that the spring run peaks around lunar cycles, and the building First Quarter moon sets up well for the holiday weekend window. Summer flounder are seasonally in play at 62°F, bluefish are pushing north through the mid-Atlantic corridor, and Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports weakfish beginning to show in decent numbers regionally.

1d ago

Bass on Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir are working through the post-spawn transition as of late May, and Wired 2 Fish reports a telling split in the fishery right now: one group is going full gorge-mode, hammering shad spawns and fry balls, while another holds shallow and spooks easily, responding only to finesse presentations. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage from comparable large impoundments confirms that rotating through swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse rigs as conditions evolve through the day is the most productive formula. The USGS gauge at site 03110000 on the Mahoning River, the primary watershed gauge for northeastern Ohio, shows flow running at 1,350 cfs as of May 25, suggesting moderate runoff that may be pushing some fish off soft-bottom shallows and onto firmer gravel and rock transitions. No water temperature is available from our gauges this cycle. Walleye, crappie, and yellow perch are all in seasonal form at these impoundments, though no current source carries direct field intel on those species this week.

1d ago

Water temperatures recorded at 59°F (USGS gauge 04231600, May 25) put Western NY's Lake Erie and Niagara River corridor right in the thick of the late-May transition. At that temperature, smallmouth bass are either finishing the spawn or just off the bed, and Wired 2 Fish cautions that post-spawn fish can run the behavioral gamut: some aggressively gorging on baitfish, others shallow and spooky and unlikely to chase big presentations. Tactical Bassin identifies paddle-tail swimbaits and finesse techniques as proven producers for Great Lakes smallmouth in clear-water conditions this time of year. Walleye, Lake Erie's signature species, are at a seasonally strong feeding window post-spawn, though no charter or shop intel is available for this cycle. Flow at the gauge registers 5,700 cfs, consistent with active spring runoff. Check updated local reports and state regulations before heading out this holiday weekend.

1d ago

USGS gauge 03051000 logged 5,660 cfs on May 25, reflecting brisk late-spring flow across WV's river systems, enough to concentrate smallmouth and largemouth on current-breaking structure while still leaving clear-water windows for sight approaches. Post-spawn is in full swing. Wired 2 Fish reports this week that fish coming off the bed split into two distinct groups: one portion is aggressively gorging on shad spawns and bream-bed buffets, while shallower fish stage spooky and won't commit to large or fast-moving presentations. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage corroborates the split, noting that swimbaits and chatterbaits remain reliable in off-color or faster current, while finesse rigs (specifically the Neko) become essential on clear, pressured water. The First Quarter moon supports decent early-morning and evening feeding windows. No water temperature data was available from our gauge this cycle; anglers should verify local conditions before launching.

1d ago

NOAA buoy 46041 recorded 13.1-foot wave heights off the Washington coast on May 25, with buoy 46087 logging 11.8-foot swells near the Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance and winds near 8 m/s; offshore conditions that put Pacific-side halibut and salmon trips out of reach for most vessels this week. No species-specific catch data was available in our angler intel pull from WA WDFW Fishing Reports for this reporting cycle, which means current bite quality must be sourced directly from WDFW creel interview data before any trip planning. The protected waters of Puget Sound are the practical option while the Pacific swell runs high. Late May is historically the heart of the spring Chinook season in Sound corridors, and lingcod action over deeper rocky structure can be productive on tidal pushes. Check WA WDFW Fishing Reports for real-time catch and stocking data before heading out.

1d ago

Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report puts rockfish squarely in focus at the Chesapeake mouth this week, with fish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds. Coastal fish are hugging rocky shorelines and hard structure, exactly the habitats Virginia DWR biologists flagged in their spring field observations. Water at 58°F per NOAA buoy 44009 is cool for late May but climbing, keeping stripers active without yet pushing them into full summer patterns. The First Quarter moon is building tidal flows through the mouth, concentrating baitfish at rip edges and structure breaks. Regional context from The Fisherman (Northeast) sharpens the picture: the coastal corridor is seeing a spring push of 20-to-30-pound stripers 'the likes of which we haven't seen in many years,' suggesting above-average fish are actively transiting the bay mouth. Light winds are keeping boat conditions manageable.

1d ago

The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass feature is the week's top signal for Potomac anglers: biologists are observing rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds throughout Virginia's tidal rivers, with fish also found hugging rocky shorelines and hard structure in open-water reaches. USGS gauge 01646500 shows the Potomac running at 39,100 cfs as of late afternoon May 25, a substantially elevated flow that will challenge waders and push fish tight to slower eddies, undercut banks, and any current seam. On the Shenandoah and upper Potomac, smallmouth are wrapping up spawning; per Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown, males are guarding fry near shallow cover while females have retreated to deeper feeding lanes and may be actively gorging on forage. On The Water's May 22 striper migration map confirms the spring striper run remains active along the mid-Atlantic, cycling through peaks and valleys tied to moon phases.

1d ago

Water temps at 62°F on the Susquehanna (USGS gauge 01540500, observed May 25) place both the Susquehanna and Allegheny squarely in the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish reports that post-spawn bass currently split between two modes: some gorging aggressively on shad and bream beds, while others linger near spawning habitat and turn cautious around fast or bulky presentations. On big river systems like these, that behavioral split tends to sort itself geographically, with aggressive feeders pushing to current edges and gravel bars while spookier fish drop into slower, deeper pockets. The Susquehanna is running at 14,800 cfs, elevated for late May but manageable for boaters who know the channel. PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports did not return specific conditions data at pull time; anglers should check the commission page directly for local stocking and advisory updates. Walleye, catfish, and muskellunge status entries below reflect typical late-May seasonal patterns, not direct source reports.

1d ago