Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-spawn bass bite heats up across Hartwell and Russell
Georgia Outdoor News' Joshua Barber reported May 30 that 'bass have been munching this week,' with lakes and ponds producing the best results across the state following recent rains. Those same rains are a key factor on the Savannah chain — USGS gauge 02192000 recorded 2,600 cfs on the Savannah River as of May 31 — elevating inflows and staining back-cove water in ways that have driven largemouth shallow. Georgia Outdoor News' Lake Sinclair report notes bass pushed into stained, rain-fed coves with water temps 'approaching 80 degrees' on comparable Georgia lakes, while West Point Lake guides report fish 'still mostly shallow' around shoreline structure with water in the 'upper 70s to low 80s.' With the full moon marking the peak of the post-spawn window, fish are transitioning between spawning flats and adjacent deeper structure. Topwater presentations — Pop-Rs and Whopper Ploppers — and unweighted soft plastics are producing on the region's lakes, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News.
Walleye Firing on the Rainy River as Post-Spawn Bite Surges
USGS gauge 05133500 clocked 25,900 cfs and 63°F on the Rainy River as of May 31 evening, placing the system in a high, warm late-spring flow stage that concentrates post-spawn walleye along current seams, eddies, and inside bends. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) flagged "May Walleye Craziness" this week, consistent with the aggressive feeding surge we expect when water temps crest the low 60s on border-water systems. AnglingBuzz (YT) recently featured guide Jason Freed's slip-bobber walleye setup for current — a technique tailor-made for Rainy River conditions at this stage. Fishing the Midwest notes that spring river fish stack shallow and respond well to a simple casting approach as elevated flows begin to ease. Tonight's Full Moon shifts peak walleye activity into low-light brackets at dusk and dawn, so timing your launch matters. Northern pike are wrapping up post-spawn recovery, and smallmouth bass are pushing to rocky current breaks ahead of the early-summer feeding surge.
Ozark spring parks hold steady as the Current runs elevated into June
USGS gauge 07067000 logged the Current River at Van Buren running 2,230 cfs on May 31, elevated for late spring and reflecting recent Ozark precipitation. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, but late-May conditions in Missouri's spring-fed trout parks typically hold source-pool temps in the mid-50s to low 60s°F, where stocked rainbows stack near head-spring outflows. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers reward anglers who work isolated structure and shaded banks as summer transitions begin, an observation that maps directly to Ozark smallmouth right now. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass reports confirm fish are off beds and responding to reaction presentations this week. The full moon peaking June 1 will brighten overnight conditions, pushing active feeding toward dawn and dusk windows. Expect trout parks to fish reliably in their spring-pool sections while elevated main-river flows make wading challenging; float trips by kayak or canoe are the more practical play on the broader Current this weekend.
Smokies trout seek cold seams and evening hatches as early June warmth builds
USGS gauge 03512000 on the Little Tennessee at Needmore, NC recorded 65°F and 458 cfs on the evening of May 31, placing water temperatures right at the upper edge of prime trout range heading into early June. With no Smokies-area shop or guide reports in this week's intel feeds, conditions are drawn from gauge data and established late-spring patterns for the region. Rainbow and brook trout will be seeking the coldest available water: cold tributary mouths, spring seeps, and shaded deep pools where temperatures hold a few degrees cooler than the main stem. Flows at 458 cfs are fishable and slightly elevated for early June, favoring nymphing in slower inside seams over blind-casting open riffles. The full moon on June 1 tends to compress peak feeding into low-light windows; plan around first light and the last 90 minutes before dark. Evening sulphur and caddis hatches are typical for early June in the southern Appalachians and may arrive earlier in the evening than expected given the warming water.
Black drum peak on the NJ Delaware Bay as spring's biggest run arrives
Black drum are putting on a show in the Delaware Bay right now. Hands Too Bait and Tackle (Southern NJ) reports the Jersey side is hosting notably large fish this season, with multiple 60-pound-class drum caught off the Villas Beaches on fresh clams — and Tom Lynan's 75-pounder taking top honors this week. Big Dave's Tackle calls the bite "excellent," with fish to nearly 80 pounds reported off the Coral Beds and Tussy's Slough on clams, shedders, and she-crabs. Higbee's Bait and Tackle notes the spring striper run on Fortescue Beach is winding toward its close, with fish to 44 inches still taking bloodworms — though the horseshoe crab spawn has complicated bait fishing considerably. Back-bay flounder action is slow but inching upward, and gator bluefish to 10 pounds are mixing into the bay, per Big Dave's Tackle. NOAA buoy 44009 logged air temperature at 60°F early this morning; no water temp reading was transmitted.
Bass and Landlocked Trout Prime Up at Quabbin and Wachusett
The Swift River, Quabbin's primary inflow, is running at 41.9 cfs as of May 31 per USGS gauge 01174500, a modest, subsiding late-spring rate that points to stable reservoir conditions heading into June. No direct shop or charter reports for Quabbin or Wachusett came through this cycle, but The Fisherman's New England Freshwater correspondents show similar central New England reservoirs actively producing bass and pickerel. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are in post-spawn mode across the region, with Tactical Bassin's on-water footage confirming fish keying on isolated offshore structure and responding well to chatterbaits, dropshot, and neko rigs. For Quabbin, late May through early June is traditionally a narrow but productive window for landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout before summer thermal stratification pushes them deep. Tonight's Full Moon may extend feeding activity well into dusk. Check current Massachusetts state regulations for season dates, creel limits, and access rules before heading out.
Stripers surging through Buzzards Bay on the June full moon
Water temps of 57-59°F from NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020 are holding in the productive sweet spot for striped bass, and the Cape Cod Canal is delivering. Red Top Sporting Goods, per The Fisherman (Cape Cod and Islands), called the action 'like the Good Old Days,' with big bass hammering Wally white pencils and mackerel-colored plugs and jigs along the canal, especially toward the east end. Westport River Outfitters' Capt. Carl added two limit trips of legal black sea bass and multiple stripers from 34 to 42 inches the same week. Bluefish are arriving but unevenly: Charley Soares (The Fisherman, Cape Cod and Islands) reports teen-size blues working the surface at Middle Ground and the north side of Quicks Hole, with one fish between 15 and 17 pounds photographed near the Vineyard, but the big Vineyard blitz has not yet materialized. The full moon tonight will amplify tidal currents and bait movement throughout the Sound.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Peaks as Full Moon Fires the Keys Bite
ALL IN Key West reports mutton snappers are 'chewing like crazy' this week, with the full moon triggering the annual spawn run, one of the most reliable feeding events on the Keys calendar. Yellowtail snappers are equally dialed in, described by the same charter as 'practically jumping in the boat.' A recent Gulf-side trip out of Key West also produced grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish, with live bait driving most of the action across reef edges and current lines. NOAA buoys SMKF1 at Sombrero Key and SANF1 at Sand Key recorded near-calm winds of 1-2 m/s and air temps near 84-85 degrees Fahrenheit early this morning, pointing to clean, comfortable conditions on the water. The most recent offshore water temp from buoy 41114 showed 78 degrees Fahrenheit as of late April; early-June surface temps are likely running a few degrees warmer. June and July, per ALL IN Key West, are traditionally lights-out months for Keys snapper and offshore species alike.
Hill Country bass shift offshore as post-spawn patterns take hold
Colorado River inflow into Lake Travis is running at 819 cfs (USGS gauge 08158000, May 31), reflecting steady late-spring flows across the Highland Lakes chain. With the full moon peaking on June 1, expect bass activity to concentrate around dawn and dusk transitions as fish that have largely wrapped up spawning begin recovering on deeper offshore structure. Tactical Bassin notes that post-spawn fish on similar reservoir fisheries this week are responding well to isolated offshore structure: chatterbaits, swimbaits, and dropshot rigs are all producing multiple big bites, with wind-blown outside flats serving as the key locator. Lone Star Outdoor News reports this is shaping up as a record year for Texas anglers overall. Direct angler intel specific to Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan is thin in this reporting cycle, so treat conditions as indicative and verify locally before heading out.
Post-spawn bass active at Grand River mouth as summer salmon approach
The Grand River is running at 3,260 cfs as of May 31, per USGS gauge 04119000, delivering moderate elevated flow at the mouth near Grand Haven — fishable but with some color in the water. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record 2024 harvest season lake-wide: over 210,000 coho and 160,000 Chinook salmon, the best Chinook showing since 2012, fueled by strong alewife forage classes that bode well for the current season as early-summer kings and cohos begin staging near river mouths. Steelhead that ran the Grand River through April and May are now winding down, shifting this stretch into an early-summer transition. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are the most consistent bet right now; Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn fish keying on isolated offshore structure with chatterbaits, dropshot, and swimbait presentations. With the full moon peaking June 1, expect active feeding windows at dawn and dusk along current seams at the river mouth.
PA limestone trout prime up for Sulphur season as June opens
The USGS gauge on the regional drainage (01546500) recorded 95.7 cfs as of the evening of May 31, pointing to moderate, fishable flows heading into the first days of June on the Centre County limestone belt. Water temperature data was unavailable from gauges at pull time, though limestone springs typically buffer these creeks into the low-to-mid 60s this time of year, ideal for trout activity. Hatch Magazine's recent focus on essential spring creek skills underscores how technically demanding this fishery is: drag-free presentations with fine tippet are non-negotiable on glass-flat runs like those found on Spring Creek and Penns Creek. Direct tackle-shop or guide reports from these specific waters were not available in our current feeds. What the calendar does confirm is that early June sits at the heart of the Sulphur (Ephemerella invaria) season on Pennsylvania's limestone streams, with evening hatches historically running strong through mid-month. The full moon on June 1 may push prime feeding activity toward dusk and into the early night.
Walleye and smallmouth find their footing as Lake Erie warms into summer
NOAA buoy 45005 clocked 62°F water on Lake Erie at the turn of June — a temperature that lands squarely in walleye's preferred feeding range and overlaps with the tail end of smallmouth bass spawning across Erie's rocky shallows. Conditions at the buoy are near-perfect for getting out: wave heights measured just 0.3 feet and winds ran barely 2 meters per second. Direct on-the-water charter and shop reports from the Pennsylvania shoreline were not captured in this intel round, so fishing context here draws on the broader Great Lakes picture. Michigan Sea Grant notes active research tracking seasonal smallmouth bass movements across Great Lakes nearshore habitat, a reminder that bass are in or near spawning phase along Presque Isle's gravel bars at these temperatures. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass are keying on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshots outperforming reaction baits when the primary bite slows. Check PA Fish & Boat Commission biologist reports for the most current confirmed-catch updates before heading out.
Lake Ontario salmon on the feed as charter action peaks for late May
Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario) is calling it plainly: "salmon are here!!" Fishing has been very good over the past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixed into the catch alongside Chinook. Per that charter report, the action is concentrated in 100 to 160 feet of water, though productive depth shifts day to day as wind repositions the thermocline. Mag Dipsey Divers are the right tool when cold temps push fish deeper, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chips with Atomic hardware are the leading presentation. On the tributary side, USGS gauge 04250750 shows the river running at 99.8 cfs as of May 31 — a moderate, late-spring baseline that makes for accessible wading but reflects the seasonal gap before the fall tributary salmon push. A full moon on June 1 may extend feeding windows into low-light periods. This is the open-lake charter window to be on.
Puget Sound Enters Summer Chinook Window as June Gets Underway
NOAA buoy 46041 off the Washington coast and buoy 46087 near Neah Bay both recorded 9 m/s (roughly 17-knot) winds as June 1 arrived, with air temperatures in the low 50s°F — classic marine-layer conditions for this stretch of the calendar. Water temperature readings were unavailable at either station in the current observation window. Specific bite reports for Puget Sound and the Pacific coast are limited in this update's data feed; the WA WDFW Fishing Reports page, the primary state-agency source for this region, was not carrying active creel data at pull time. What the calendar does tell us: early June marks the opening of summer Chinook windows across multiple Puget Sound marine areas, halibut retention is typically permitted in designated zones (verify current WA WDFW emergency regulations before launching), and lingcod and black rockfish round out nearshore Pacific coast options. Full moon tides are driving strong currents through narrows and passes this week — factor that into your timing.
Spring Chinook and post-spawn smallmouth headline WA river action entering June
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded water temps at 59°F with flows at 1,080 cfs on May 31 — conditions that land squarely in the productive late-spring window for Washington's river fisheries. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes the department tracks angler success at access sites statewide and continues its fish-stocking program through the season; for the most current creel data, check that resource directly, as specific charter and tackle-shop reports for Columbia and Puget Sound tributaries are sparse in current feeds. What the calendar does confirm: late May through early June is classically the heart of the spring Chinook push on the Columbia system, and post-spawn smallmouth bass are in one of their most aggressive feeding phases of the year. Tactical Bassin reports fish "on fire" around isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations all producing — a pattern that translates well to Columbia basin bass habitat. The full moon on June 1 adds a dawn-and-dusk feeding surge worth planning around.
Potomac running high as bass go post-spawn and stripers push upriver
USGS gauge 01646500 recorded the Potomac at 19,800 cfs on May 31, putting the river notably above its typical early-June baseline. No water temperature reading was available this cycle. Elevated, off-color water will compress productive windows into current breaks and structure edges, though the full moon on June 1 should push feeding activity into the low-light bookends of the day. Direct angler intel for this corridor is limited this week. Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog reports that a historic spring drought has stressed isolated aquatic habitats across the Commonwealth, though the Potomac main stem is running decidedly high. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are in the post-spawn recovery window; Tactical Bassin (blog) reports June bass are keying on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, dropshot, and neko rigs outperforming shallow presentations. On the lower Potomac, On The Water's May 29 migration map shows large stripers pushing north aggressively on bunker and river herring, a positive signal for tidal-zone fishing below the fall line.
Post-spawn smallmouth surge as PA rivers hit prime June conditions
USGS gauge 01540500 logged the Susquehanna at 65°F and 10,900 cfs on May 31 — temperatures firmly in the post-spawn recovery zone for smallmouth bass across both the Susquehanna and Allegheny drainages. With the full moon arriving June 1, bass coming off beds are regaining their appetites and pushing toward mid-river structure, gravel bars, and current seams. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage this week highlights isolated offshore structure as the key target, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, and finesse presentations like the neko rig and dropshot all drawing strikes. Moderately elevated flows favor fish holding behind wing dams and large boulders where they can ambush baitfish riding the current. Walleye remain a reliable option in deeper Susquehanna pools below main-stem dams. Channel and flathead catfish should respond to the warming water and full-moon cycle with increased nocturnal activity. Specific PA agency bite reports were sparse in this cycle — check the PA Fish & Boat Commission biologist reports for localized updates.
Oregon Coast Spring Chinook and Rockfish Active as June Opens
Water temperatures of 56–58°F logged across NOAA buoys 46029 and 46002 on Sunday morning confirm the Oregon Coast is holding the cool, nutrient-rich water that spring Chinook salmon and nearshore rockfish favor entering June. Offshore, buoy 46050 registered 7.9-foot wave heights and winds near 11 m/s, pushing most boats toward inshore and estuarine structure; buoy 46002 reported a more workable 4.9-foot swell in the outer Pacific. No Oregon Coast-specific charter, tackle-shop, or state-agency reports appeared in this cycle's angler intel feeds, so species conditions below reflect what is historically typical for early June rather than firsthand testimony from this week. The full moon coincides with this reporting period, which tends to amplify tidal exchanges at jetty mouths and estuary channels, classic staging spots for migratory Chinook and schooling surfperch. Anglers should confirm current ODFW regulations before heading out; Chinook salmon, Pacific halibut, and Dungeness crab seasons each carry time- and area-specific rules through early summer.
Late springers active on Columbia as Rogue smallmouth enter prime season
USGS gauge 14211720 on the lower Columbia registered 66°F on the afternoon of May 31, placing late springer Chinook in comfortable migration range and signaling that Rogue River smallmouth have crossed into prime post-spawn territory. Regional angler intel was thin this cycle: IFish.net Fishing Reports carried only lost-gear posts from the Wilson River and the Irrigon-Umatilla stretch of the Columbia rather than catch reports, so this update is grounded primarily in the gauge reading and late-May seasonal norms. The full moon peaks June 1, which typically narrows the productive salmon bite toward low-light windows — plan to be on the Columbia before first light or during the last 90 minutes of daylight. On the Rogue, water in the mid-60s is textbook post-spawn smallmouth territory; Tactical Bassin's late-May rundown confirms that bass in similar conditions are aggressively keying on reaction baits around isolated structure and rocky ledges.
Red Drum Surge onto Outer Banks Beaches as June Opens
Water at 76–77°F off Cape Hatteras, confirmed by NOAA buoys 41025 and 41013 as of June 1, puts the Outer Banks in peak late-spring form. Fisherman's Post (NC) reports Ryan of Hatteras Jack: surf action has come alive, with red drum making a strong push onto Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches. Steve of Chasin' Tails, also via Fisherman's Post (NC), puts schools of bull red drum on the Cape Lookout shoals alongside plenty of good-sized bluefish. Inland waters are producing too: Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized reds covering the Neuse River as fish push into the backwater. At Swansboro, Morgan of The Reel Outdoors notes early pompano and sea mullet appearing in the surf, a sign the northward run has started. With a full moon overhead driving strong tidal swings, time your fishing windows around the tide changes. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission recently adopted a temporary harvest rule for sheepshead in Joint and Inland Fishing Waters; verify current regs before targeting them.
Post-spawn bass dial in on structure as Catawba and Roanoke enter June
USGS gauge 02142900 registered just 0.3 cfs on May 31 — near-trickle tributary conditions that typically push bass and other species off the feeder creeks and into deeper channel edges and ledge structure on the main impoundments. No water temperature reading came through on this gauge cycle. Bass across the Catawba system have moved into the post-spawn window; Tactical Bassin notes that isolated offshore structure is the key right now, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots producing for post-spawn fish holding on outside flats and subtle bottom features. On the Roanoke drainage, striped and hybrid striped bass typically stack on deeper summer ledges through June following the spring spawning run. The full moon peaking June 1 should compress the best feeding activity into dawn and dusk windows. Specific on-the-water intel for these inland impoundments was limited this cycle — confirm local conditions before heading out.
Hudson River stripers on the run as post-spawn bass bite opens up
Water temps hit 64°F at USGS gauge 01357500 on May 31, signaling a firm late-spring transition across the Hudson Valley system. The top story is striped bass: On The Water's May 29 migration map reports big fish pushing steadily north, feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring. An On The Water podcast episode this week featured a Hudson River session with Captain Chris Oliver of Keepin' It Reel Sportfishing out of Poughkeepsie, confirming the mid-Hudson bite is live. For bass anglers, Tactical Bassin notes post-spawn fish have cleared the beds and are resettling on isolated offshore structure — chatterbaits, swimbaits, and drop-shots are producing on outside flats. NY DEC's May 22 Fishing Line newsletter flagged musky season as imminent, welcome news for Finger Lakes trophy hunters. Walleye remain in play following the May 1 coolwater sportfish season opener, also per NY DEC.
Pine Barrens pickerel extend season as Delaware River shad run fades
Old School Outdoors in Ewing confirmed this week that the shad bite near Lambertville has clearly slowed, with water levels that had been dropping before this past weekend's rains and Delaware River striped bass that were active north of Trenton earlier tapering off by Friday. The better story is in South Jersey: JB Kasper's freshwater column notes that widespread rains finally reached the cedar waters, providing enough of a boost to extend pickerel fishing in Pine Barrens waters through June. Post-spawn bass are transitioning into an active feed across lakes and ponds statewide, per multiple freshwater shop reports. The Toms River (USGS gauge 01408000) logged 28.7 cfs on May 31, reflecting the lean flows that preceded the rain event; levels should nudge up as that moisture works through the drainage. Catfishing and smallmouth on the main river stem remain average at best, while trout anglers working the local canal have seen modest but continued action.
Post-Spawn Bass Running Offshore Structure as Nebraska Enters June
Nebraska Game & Parks is flagging low water across many of the state's fisheries heading into June - verify conditions and boat carefully before launching. The Platte River itself is moving at 4,000 cfs per USGS gauge 06796000 (read May 31), giving river anglers a workable current to fish. Post-spawn bass are the headliner right now: Tactical Bassin reports a strong bite around isolated offshore structure using chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations, with fish coming off reaction baits in the morning and finesse methods mid-day. Per Fishing the Midwest, shallow flats continue to produce early June action for crappie, bass, and walleye for anglers willing to keep it simple. Channel catfish typically gain momentum through June as water temperatures climb, making the Platte and Missouri corridors solid bets. The full moon this weekend favors low-light feeding windows. Alexandria State Recreation Area earned a nod from Nebraska Game & Parks this week as an uncrowded destination worth a closer look.