Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Walleye and post-spawn bass heat up across Michigan as June arrives
The Grand River is running at 3,260 cfs (USGS gauge 04119000) as of May 31, a robust late-spring flow that keeps the lower reaches stained but productive along current seams. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is spotlighting 'May Walleye Craziness' and shallow-trolling walleye patterns this week, signaling that Great Lakes walleye are in a productive late-spring window. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports an excellent post-spawn bite with multiple large fish coming on chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots worked around isolated offshore structure, with drifting wind-blown flats producing well. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch highlights slow-trolling for walleyes as a reliable spring technique in the region. Tonight's full moon will intensify low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, prime timing for both species. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report through May 27 confirms spring patterns are active statewide, though detailed regional breakdowns were not fully captured in this data pull.
Blue marlin and ahi season kicks off as Hawaiian offshore temps warm
NOAA buoys 51001 and 51004 are logging offshore water temperatures of 78 and 80°F across Hawaiian waters, right in the range that typically triggers the summer pelagic push. That setup, combined with today's full moon, positions blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahi-mahi, and wahoo favorably as June gets underway. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper for Hawaii's sport fishery and publisher of monthly moon and tide calendars, has long tracked how lunar timing shapes the Hawaiian bite, and the full moon window traditionally delivers heightened dawn-to-dusk activity offshore. Winds from buoys 51002 and 51004 are reading 6 to 7 m/s, consistent with typical trade-wind conditions, while buoy 51001 near the northwestern chain shows calmer 2 m/s winds. Direct charter-level catch reports were not captured in this cycle's intel feeds, but water temperatures and seasonal timing point to an active offshore window building across the islands.
Big Stripers Stack on LIS Deep-Water Reefs as Bunker Flood the Sound
Fisherman's World in Connecticut reported an influx of big stripers this week, with multiple fish exceeding 40 pounds concentrated on deep-water reefs where bunker schools are holding. Rock and Roll Charters described the striper fishing as "nothing short of phenomenal," with linesides taking both bunker and squid presentations. Bait variety across the Sound is exceptional: The Fisherman — Connecticut correspondents confirm squid, menhaden, mackerel, and silversides all present depending on position. A recent cold snap dropped water temps from 61°F to the current 56°F — confirmed by NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 — which pushed some fish off shallow structure and onto the reefs, per Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle. The fluke bite is beginning to build alongside the bass action, per Bobby J's. Tonight's full moon will drive powerful tidal movement, setting up prime feed windows over reef edges and current-swept structure through the early-June window.
Colorado Rivers exit runoff early: prime trout fishing opens now
USGS gauge 09095500 clocked the Colorado River at 3,190 cfs and 63°F on May 31, confirming the back end of runoff with rapidly improving clarity. Crystal Fly Shop reports 'currently great water conditions and happy fish' near Glenwood Springs and urges anglers to fish 'NOW before the heat kicks in'; large attractor patterns are working, with Rubberleg Stones and green drake imitations leading the subsurface game. On the Dream Stream section of the South Platte, Colorado Trout Hunters calls this spring's migratory trout run 'one of the best we have seen in quite some time.' The backdrop is historically unusual: Cutthroat Anglers flags Colorado's snowpack as 'historically bad' this season, compressing the runoff window weeks ahead of schedule. Fish are already concentrated in cleaner water, and green drakes are expected within two weeks, making the first half of June a legitimate prime window across the Colorado watershed.
Central Coast Chinook Are Back: Upwelling Sets Up the Salmon Season
Water temps of 54-55°F off Monterey (NOAA buoys 46042 and 46026) are delivering the signal Central Coast salmon anglers have been waiting for. Western Outdoor News - Saltwater correspondent Allen Bushnell reports from Monterey that the Chinook outlook has shifted meaningfully over the past month, driven by northwest winds pushing cold, nutrient-rich upwelling to the surface. 'Many of us almost forgot what it is like to have a real salmon season along the Central Coast,' Bushnell writes. Out of Half Moon Bay, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady confirms the turnaround: a four-degree water-temperature drop below Pigeon Point has moved bonita offshore and drawn in the baitfish that Chinook follow, per Western Outdoor News - Saltwater. The offshore picture carries a significant caveat: swells are running 8 to nearly 11 feet and winds are sustained at 18-27 mph across NOAA monitoring stations. Only capable boats with experienced crews should plan offshore runs until conditions ease.
Colorado River trout on the feed; Salt River bass enter post-spawn transition
The USGS gauge at site 09380000 logged the Colorado River at 8,070 cfs and 58°F as of May 31, placing conditions in a solid range for trout activity on the tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam. No AZ-specific charter, tackle-shop, or agency reports surfaced in this feed cycle, so the gauge reading is our primary anchor. At 58°F, rainbow trout in the Lee's Ferry corridor should be holding in current seams and feeding lanes; nymphing rigs and streamers are standard at this temperature. On the Salt River lakes system, early June puts largemouth and smallmouth bass squarely in post-spawn transition. Tactical Bassin notes that post-spawn fish are now targeting isolated offshore structure and responding best to finesse presentations: dropshot, Neko rigs, and swimbaits rather than the shallow topwater of the spawn. The full moon overnight on June 1 typically stirs channel catfish into more aggressive feeding on both systems, worth a late-session target.
Seward Charter Docks Buzz as Gulf of Alaska Saltwater Season Peaks
Water temps sitting at 45°F at NOAA buoy 46001 place the Gulf of Alaska squarely in its prime late-spring saltwater window. In late May, Saltwater Sportsman reported Seward harbor buzzing well before daylight as charter crews loaded coolers, rigged rods, and stacked bait for the Armed Services YMCA Combat Fishing Tournament, putting more than 160 anglers out on volunteer charters. Outer buoys 46001 and 46066 are logging active seas in the 6 to 7 ft range with winds running 25 to 27 mph, while the more sheltered station 46080 shows calmer 4-ft seas and lighter winds near 20 mph. The full moon is driving strong tidal flux, which typically concentrates baitfish along current edges and positions Gulf halibut and salmon in predictable feeding lanes. Conditions on the outer grounds are marginal right now, and anglers should plan around improving weather windows before committing to longer offshore runs.
Delta bass enter post-spawn feeding window as late-May flows run strong
USGS gauge 11455420 clocked 17,900 cfs on the Sacramento system as of late-morning May 31, signaling active Sierra snowmelt throughput into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. The angler intel feeds this cycle carried no Delta-specific on-the-water reports, which limits direct attribution. Typical for late May, largemouth bass are in or just past the spawn, and post-spawn fish should be stacking on nearby structure to feed aggressively before transitioning to summer holding patterns. Tactical Bassin highlights isolated offshore structure as the key late-May bass target, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshots pulling the most consistent bites in post-spawn conditions. Striped bass, which push up the Sacramento River to spawn through spring, typically return to Delta channels by late May. Full moon tonight may concentrate feeding activity into low-light windows along tule banks and channel junctions. Verify current striper regulations before targeting them.
Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters low and clear as summer approaches
USGS gauge 07060710 on the White River recorded 103 cfs and 69°F at 3 p.m. on May 31 — minimal-generation conditions that leave the mainstem shallow, clear, and easy to wade throughout the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwater corridor. The 69°F reading reflects downstream warming from cold hypolimnetic dam releases; anglers targeting the reaches directly below Bull Shoals Dam and Norfork Dam will find significantly cooler water holding the heaviest trout concentrations. None of the regional feeds in this cycle carried direct reports from the White River drainage, so targeted angler intel is limited. General late-May tailwater patterns apply: midge and sulphur nymphs near dam outlets, with caddis dry flies worth drifting through afternoon riffles. Full moon overhead tonight may push the most aggressive feeding toward low-light windows at dusk and dawn. Confirm current Army Corps generation schedules before heading out — flows here shift fast when turbines cycle on.
Post-spawn offshore bite building across Chickamauga and Watts Bar
USGS gauge 03578500 is logging 92.3 cfs as of May 31, signaling stable, low-gradient inflows across the Tennessee River chain. No water temperature reading is available in this cycle, but late May on Chickamauga and Watts Bar typically marks the end of the spawn and the start of a summer-structure bass bite. Tactical Bassin's current post-spawn reporting confirms largemouth have pushed off beds and onto isolated offshore structure: chatterbaits, swimbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations are the techniques accounting for fish when the reaction bite cools. Drifting wind-exposed outside flats and casting to visible offshore cover is the recommended approach. The full moon peaking this weekend amplifies feeding activity near dawn and dusk on both reservoirs. Crappie are typically pulling away from the shallows toward deeper brush by now, and catfish action builds as water continues warming into June. No charter or state agency intel from the chain is in this week's feed.
Tarpon Schools Surge at Full Moon as Tampa Bay and Sarasota Hit Peak Summer
Water temperatures of 83-84°F logged by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 overnight confirm that Tampa Bay and Sarasota's nearshore waters are fully in summer mode, and the fish are responding. Capt. Rick Grassett at CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) calls June the launch of the area's strongest tarpon push: schools are increasing in size and numbers along beach travel lanes, and tonight's full moon puts anglers squarely in the spawn-adjacent window Grassett flags as prime. Live crabs, baitfish, and DOA Baitbusters at first light in established travel lanes are his recommended approach. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's logged a boat-record 34-pound, 4-ounce snook at Boca Grande Pass in mid-May, and Capt. Chuck Cress reports upper-slot redfish actively feeding inshore alongside trout. Coastal Angler Magazine also noted cobia turning up at Boca Grande Pass as a byproduct of the tarpon run; keep a second rod rigged and ready. Jack crevalle continue to school across Sarasota Bay near oyster bars and seawalls per CB's reports.
SoCal surf bite comes alive as May delivers across the LA Bight
Water temperatures of 64–65°F across the LA Bight signal a healthy late-spring setup. Surf Fishing in So Cal's May 2026 report puts it plainly: 'May has delivered' after a mixed April, with conditions 'starting to come together in a big way here in Southern California' and the best fishing of the season potentially just around the corner. On the beach, corbina and leopard shark are the standout targets, with sand crabs the key bait per Surf Fishing in So Cal. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag highlights Pacific bluefin tuna ranging from 50 to 300 pounds active in SoCal waters, with surface 'foamers' the prime visual cue for locating schools. NOAA buoy 46221 shows 3.3 ft seas and buoy 46025 reports near-calm winds at 2 m/s — manageable conditions for offshore runs. With the Full Moon peaking this weekend, bite windows are expected to concentrate at first and last light on both the surf and the offshore banks.
Western Basin walleye in prime post-spawn window as Erie warms toward summer
NOAA buoy 45005 recorded 62°F surface water on May 31, putting the Western Basin squarely in prime walleye feeding temperature. No charter or tackle-shop reports from the immediate region surfaced in this cycle's feeds, but broader Great Lakes coverage from Great Lakes Now, including a recent look at walleye management across the Great Lakes system, underscores the fishery's regional prominence heading into June. USGS gauge 04193500 shows a major Western Basin tributary running at 2,280 cfs and a warm 73°F; the 11-degree gap between tributary and lake signals post-spawn fish have already pushed back into the cooler main basin. Tonight's full moon typically compresses walleye activity into low-light windows: early morning and evening are the sessions to plan around. Crawler harnesses trolled over mid-lake reef structure and jig presentations near island structure breaks are the standard late-May playbook given current thermal conditions.
Cutthroat and Browns in Wyoming Tailwaters as Late-May Runoff Peaks
Trout Unlimited's recent Spread Creek project video, focused on Snake River cutthroat habitat restoration in northwest Wyoming, is the closest field signal this cycle for a state entering its most demanding fishing window of the year. USGS gauge 06259000 returned no live readings at press time, and no Wyoming-specific shop or charter reports came through the intel feeds this cycle. Based on typical late-May patterns, the Wind River drainage is likely carrying elevated, turbid snowmelt flows right now, while the North Platte tailwaters, particularly the regulated stretches below Kortes and Seminoe reservoirs, should offer the clearest water and most consistent wading access in the region. Field & Stream's newly published cutthroat trout primer is a timely refresher on technique for the season ahead. When visibility is limited during runoff, anglers typically favor heavy nymph rigs fished close to structure and slower back eddies well away from the main current push. Tonight's full moon can compress feeding activity into low-light windows at first and last light.
Late-May Striper Push and Full Moon Tides Converge at the Chesapeake Mouth
On The Water's striper migration map (May 29) puts big bass in full northward push through the Mid-Atlantic corridor, feeding hard on bunker, squid, and river herring, with the Chesapeake mouth sitting squarely in that lane. No water temperature reading was available from NOAA buoy 44009 today, but air temps near 59 degrees F and light winds around 10 knots set a workable surface picture. Saltwater Edge Blog's late-May full moon forecast warns that a cold front is arriving alongside tonight's peak moon and expects sharp bite windows for anglers who can get out ahead of it. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay forecast (May 28) reports black drum pushing as far north as Staten Island, a species that regularly appears in the lower Bay and its mouth around this time of year. Virginia DWR's drought report notes historic spring dryness across the southeast, which may be moderating freshwater outflow from Bay tributaries and sharpening water clarity at the mouth.
Trophy Stripers Near 50 Pounds as Narragansett Bay Hits Its Spring Peak
Narragansett Bay is producing the best late-May striper fishing in recent memory. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported fish approaching the 50-pound barrier right inside the bay as of May 28, and NOAA buoy 44085 puts water temps at 58°F — squarely in the striper sweet spot. Per The Fisherman — Rhode Island, Cyril at The Saltwater Edge confirmed solid striper action throughout the bay on glide baits, topwater plugs, and flutter spoons, with bass feeding on subsurface bunker even when no blitzes are visible on top. Bluefish arrived in force last week, delivering fast topwater action. Tautog are biting consistently on most days — but The Fisherman (Northeast) warns the season closes for roughly two months imminently, making this week the last realistic window for tog. Squid fishing has hit its stride: the Frances Fleet, per The Fisherman — Rhode Island, reports high hooks leaving with a bucket or more per session. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) anticipates the full-moon cold front will push more intense bite windows in the coming days.
Canal Stripers Firing as the Spring Push Peaks in Cape Cod Bay
Water readings from NOAA buoy 44013 show 53°F in Massachusetts Bay, with 59°F off Nantucket Sound at buoy 44020, and the striper bite has erupted across the region. Red Top Sporting Goods reports the Cape Cod Canal is fishing like the "Good Old Days," with anglers hooked up in every direction. Mackerel-colored plugs and jigs are dominating toward the east end, per The Fisherman (Cape Cod and Islands). Westport River Outfitters' Capt. Carl is running consistent limit trips on legal sea bass while also landing stripers from 34 to 42 inches. The Fisherman (Northeast) confirms 40-pounders knocking on the door in Boston Harbor and sea bass action beginning on the Cape. On The Water's May 29 migration map puts big stripers pushing north on bunker, squid, and river herring as of this writing. Bluefish remain scattered: Charley Soares in The Fisherman (Cape Cod and Islands) notes only trickles so far, with one larger fish logged off the Vineyard. Tonight's full moon closes May with prime tide windows worth planning around.
Post-spawn bass moving offshore as Florida lands a new catfish state record
Florida's freshwater season is in full post-spawn transition across Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns River corridor. Outdoor Hub reports that angler Justin Hodge broke the Florida blue catfish state record this season with a 73.6-pound fish from the Suwannee River in Dixie County, a benchmark that underscores the potential of Florida's slow, fertile river systems as they shift toward summer. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin's late-spring coverage highlights post-spawn largemouth moving off beds onto isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, and finesse rigs including neko and dropshot presentations earning bites as the reaction bite slows. Tonight's full moon should push feeding windows toward dawn and dusk across both systems. The USGS St. Johns gauge (site 02232000) logged a mild flow reversal of -620 cfs Sunday afternoon, typical of this bidirectional river, and anglers should track current direction carefully before committing to a stretch.
Shad and stripers fill the CT River as trout and perch round out the action
Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown is reporting the Connecticut River as the most popular freshwater destination in the state right now, with the Middletown-to-Cromwell stretch and the Rocky Hill boat launch area loaded with American shad and striped bass riding the herring run upstream. White perch are showing as a productive bonus along that same corridor, with sandworms brought out for the bass doing double duty, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. On smaller waters, Fisherman's World notes trout anglers have been doing well in the Wilton section of the Norwalk River, which was stocked multiple times in April and May; Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Mepps Spinners have all been effective. Water temperature on the Connecticut River reads 63°F per USGS gauge 01184000, with flows at 16,300 cfs, healthy spring volume concentrating bait and fish through the main stem. Tonight's full moon extends productive windows well into the evening hours.
Post-spawn bass push offshore as Tennessee and Coosa rivers stabilize
MLF News describes the Tennessee River corridor as 'world renowned for bass' and a legendary multi-species fishery, a reputation that carries through Alabama's stretch of both the Tennessee and Coosa systems. USGS gauge 02339500 logged flows of 5,880 cfs on May 31, pointing to stable conditions heading into June. The full moon landing squarely in the post-spawn window is setting up an aggressive feeding push, and Tactical Bassin reports anglers finding post-spawn bass around isolated offshore structure using chatterbaits, Neko rigs, and drop shots. Those presentations map directly onto the ledges and channel-adjacent humps defining Alabama's river impoundments. Beds are largely cleared and fish are pushing toward summer depth. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge at publication, though mid-to-upper 70s are typical for late May across Alabama's lowland systems. Catfish and crappie are secondary targets worth monitoring as warmth continues building through the coming days.
Late-May walleye transition peaks on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River
The Rainy River is running at 26,000 cfs with water temperatures hitting 62°F (USGS gauge 05133500, May 31), marking a classic post-spawn transition window for walleye across both the river and Lake of the Woods. Fish that rode the spring current push should now be scattering back to early summer haunts — rocky transition zones, mud flats, and the first emerging weed lines in the shallower bays. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is calling this "May Walleye Craziness" in recent content, with shallow trolling highlighted as a productive approach for fish still on the move. Tonight's full moon creates prime low-light feeding conditions; plan early-morning and late-evening runs along main-lake points and river eddies. Northern pike are also in play, returning from spawning grounds toward warming weed edges. AnglingBuzz (YT) features a slip bobber walleye setup this week that works well when fish are suspended just above softer bottom.
Finger Lakes smallmouth entering prime post-spawn window as May closes
Tributary water is reading 58°F at USGS gauge 04232050 as of May 31, with flow running lean at 8.7 cfs following what appears to be a dry finish to the month. That inlet temperature signals the Finger Lakes surface is moving through the upper 50s toward the low 60s — the transition window when smallmouth bass shift from spawning shallows to offshore structure across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Tactical Bassin reported this week that late-May bass fishing is firing on isolated offshore structure, with anglers targeting outside flats via chatterbait and swimbait presentations, then finessing reluctant fish with drop-shot and neko rigs. Tonight's full moon is worth factoring in: expect the most aggressive feeding during the hour before sunrise and the final two hours of daylight. Lake trout and walleye round out the main menu on the deeper basins, though no direct charter or tackle-shop reports from the Finger Lakes are in our feeds this week.
Prime Late-Spring Window Open for Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout in Rangeley
Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) logged ice-out on Dundee Pond in southern Maine as early as April 4th this spring, suggesting a relatively early season statewide. With the Rangeley chain typically clearing ice in late April, the system is likely now four to five weeks past lockup and well into its prime landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout window. The Androscoggin headwaters (USGS gauge 01054200) are running at 418 cfs as of this morning, with no water temperature recorded at the gauge in this cycle. A full moon peaking tonight tends to concentrate feeding at dawn and dusk rather than midday. Direct angler reports from Rangeley-specific guides or shops were not available this cycle; conditions described here reflect the gauge reading and typical late-May seasonal patterns for this region. Contact local outfitters in Rangeley or Oquossoc for current hatch and depth intelligence before heading out.
Smokies Trout Shift to Cooler Pockets as Late-May Warmth Builds
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 63°F and 518 cfs on the morning of May 31, placing the Smokies drainage at a key transitional point as spring shades into summer. At 63°F, water temperature is at the upper edge of the trout comfort zone, and fish will be gravitating toward shaded runs, cold tributary mouths, and deeper plunge pools where thermal relief lingers. No direct guide or shop reports from the Smokies corridor appeared in this week's angler-intel feeds, so conditions are grounded in the gauge reading and late-May seasonal norms. Gink and Gasoline observes that sulphurs and light cahills typically don't appear on mountain streams until late April through May, placing our current date squarely in the prime window for those hatches. Flow at 518 cfs is moderate and wading is generally feasible across most sections. The full moon tonight may shift feeding activity toward dawn and dusk, away from midday.