Fishing Reports

MLF News is billing the Arkansas River near Muskogee, the hub of eastern Oklahoma's tournament bass scene, as 'currently on a high,' with big bags coming more consistently than at any point in the fishery's recent history. That signal bodes well for the broader region as Lake Eufaula and the Red River system sit squarely in post-spawn territory. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown describes a split bite: some fish are gorging aggressively on shad spawns and bream bed buffets, while others hang shallow and spooky near vacated beds, demanding a slower finesse approach. USGS gauge 07247500 shows regional flow at 632 cfs as of late afternoon May 25. The First Quarter moon supports active low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Catfish on both the Red River and Eufaula's main lake body typically reach their seasonal peak by late May, making this week a strong multi-species window.

1d ago

Post-spawn bass are behaving exactly as Wired 2 Fish describes this week: split into two camps, with some fish gorging aggressively on baitfish near shallow structure and others spooky and reluctant to commit. That behavioral divide is the defining story on Lake Erie right now, where late May typically marks the end of spawning activity and the beginning of summer feeding recovery for both smallmouth and largemouth. Tactical Bassin notes that clear-water Great Lakes smallmouth in particular respond well to swimbaits and finesse presentations as fish transition off beds. Fishing the Midwest points to river systems, including the Ohio, warming into prime footing for summer patterns, with shallow flats and current seams holding the most active feeders. USGS gauge 03271601 returned no flow or temperature readings this cycle; confirm Ohio River stage locally before launching. No Erie-specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available this cycle.

2d ago

Ryan of Hatteras Jack is reporting that the surf has come alive at Hatteras and Ocracoke, with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches and anglers catching good numbers along the stretch, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Both monitored nearshore buoys (NOAA 41025 and 41013) are reading a warm 78°F, conditions consistent with the late-May migration push that typically draws drum to the OBX surf. Down at the Cape Lookout shoals, Steve of Chasin' Tails reports schools of bull red drum showing for beach anglers alongside plenty of good-sized bluefish (Fisherman's Post NC). The broader surf bite is gaining momentum across the region: Morgan of The Reel Outdoors, covering Swansboro and Emerald Isle, notes catches of sea mullet, black drum, and early pompano arriving in the wash. With the moon at First Quarter and water temperatures holding at late-spring highs, tidal movement is building and the drum bite typically responds. Fisherman's Post (NC) also notes the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently adopted a temporary rule affecting sheepshead harvest in joint and inland fishing waters, so check current state regs before keeping fish.

2d ago

USGS gauge 02142900 clocked just 3.44 cfs late Monday afternoon, well below typical late-May volume for this watershed, pointing to lean, low water across the Catawba and Roanoke systems. No on-the-water shop or charter reports landed from these specific inland fisheries this cycle, but Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown aligns with what's expected region-wide: largemouth are split between aggressive shad-spawn gorgers and spooky, fry-guarding males that turn their nose up at anything loud. First Quarter moon conditions this week favor active feeding at first and last light. Striped bass in the Catawba chain of lakes (typical this time of year) should be stacking on deepening structure as surface temperatures climb toward summer. Catfish activity usually surges through late May, making dusk and overnight bank sessions increasingly productive. With flow running extremely low, finesse presentations near shaded shoreline cover will likely outperform power-fishing approaches once the sun climbs.

2d ago

Water temperatures holding at 56°F on both NOAA offshore buoys, yet the striper bite is on fire across Long Island heading into Memorial Day weekend. Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale called this past week "one for the books," reporting bass going off from bay to beach with birds working over solid schools in the South Shore bays. At Shinnecock Inlet, Tight Lines Tackle logged fish to 35 pounds on bucktails, with Thursday and Saturday mornings producing the standout bites. Up at Montauk, per The Fisherman Long Island East End, slot fish and occasional larger bass are falling to diamond jigs, bucktails, and surface plugs from both boat and surf. Fluke season is gaining ground: Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport drilled nine keepers with four rods on Saturday, best on the outgoing tide, though cooler-than-average water is still holding back peak numbers. Scattered bluefish are also beginning to show across the island.

2d ago

Water at USGS gauge 01357500 has climbed to 66°F as of May 25, placing Hudson Valley bass squarely in the spawn-to-post-spawn transition window. NY DEC The Fishing Line (May 22nd issue) confirms musky season is around the corner and that the coolwater sportfish statewide season, which covers walleye, northern pike, and tiger musky, opened May 1. Spring trout stocking has been active per the DEC April briefing, though 66°F readings will push stocked fish toward deeper, cooler water as Memorial Day weekend arrives. Gauge 01357500 reads 7,500 cfs with downstream gauge 01358000 at 12,000 cfs, moderate flows that should keep most tributary access fishable. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown this week notes the species is split right now: some fish are aggressively gorging on baitfish following the spawn, while others are holding shallow and spooky off spent beds. Carry both reaction baits and a finesse rig to adapt on each spot.

2d ago

USGS gauge 08330000 logged the Rio Grande at just 16.2 cfs on the afternoon of May 25, an unusually low reading for late May when snowmelt typically pushes the mainstem into stronger flow. No water temperature data was available from this gauge cycle. None of this week's monitored angler-intel feeds filed New Mexico-specific reports, so direct local testimony is absent this cycle. The San Juan tailwater operates on a separate hydraulic system governed by Navajo Dam releases, insulating it from the low mainstem reading and keeping conditions consistent for its world-class rainbow trout fishery. MidCurrent's tying coverage this week highlighted midge-style patterns that "excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a description that fits the San Juan precisely. On the Rio Grande, low flows concentrate fish in deep pools and undercut banks but demand long leaders, fine tippet, and careful wading.

2d ago

Nebraska Game & Parks is calling this prime time for largemouth bass in pits and ponds across the state, with bass keying on bluegills as the post-spawn feeding window ramps up. A Lincoln-area reservoir recently yielded a hefty catfish inside a salvaged vehicle, a quirky data point confirming catfish are active in still waters this spring. On moving water, USGS gauge 06796000 on the Platte is logging 3,590 cfs as of Monday afternoon, consistent with late-May runoff levels. No water temperature was returned from the gauge, though mid-to-late May in the Platte and Missouri corridors typically puts surface temps in the mid-60s to low-70s F range, prime territory for warm-water species. With a first-quarter moon this week, bite windows tend to concentrate around dawn and dusk. Pits, ponds, and reservoir flats are the most actionable starting points right now, with the bass-on-bluegill pattern the top-priority play per Nebraska Game & Parks.

2d ago

Per MT FWP Fishing News, paddlefish season is active on the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers with a key rule change this year: colored plastic tags are gone, replaced by a big-game-style system requiring anglers to complete tagging before the carcass is moved, stored, or cleaned. The Yellowstone River is flowing at 1,330 cfs per USGS gauge 06043500 as of May 25, a manageable level that keeps floating access open across most stretches. Grey Bear Fishing Access Site near Billings was closed for ramp and parking construction through approximately May 21; anglers should verify current access before launching. For trout, Flylab (Substack)'s John Juracek writes that Yellowstone hatch timing and species composition have shifted meaningfully over three decades, with late May historically representing an active window for caddis and mayfly emergences on the upper river. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge today; check conditions locally before targeting temperature-sensitive trout.

2d ago

Water temperature at 68°F on the Missouri River (USGS gauge 06934500) puts largemouth and smallmouth bass firmly in post-spawn mode across Missouri and Ozark river systems. Per Wired 2 Fish, this phase divides the bass population: some fish are gorging aggressively on shad spawns and schooling baitfish, while others are staging shallow and spooky, requiring finesse presentations. Elevated flows at 161,000 cfs push fish off the main channel and onto wing dam faces, eddies, and slack-water edges. Fishing the Midwest notes that larger rivers offer productive action all summer, and current seams become the key structural element when flows run high. On cleaner Ozark tributaries, Wired 2 Fish coverage of low-light shallow topwater tactics aligns with first-light and dusk windows that should produce reaction bites. Channel and blue catfish are approaching their pre-spawn peak at this temperature range, making the main-stem Missouri a prime target for drifted cutbait and live bait setups. The First Quarter moon supports gradually building feeding windows headed into the week.

2d ago

The Mississippi River near Vicksburg is running at 541,000 cfs as of this afternoon (USGS gauge 07289000), and that volume is the dominant variable shaping conditions right now. Fish are pushed out of the main channel and into flooded backwater timber, connected sloughs, and oxbow lakes along both the Mississippi and Pearl corridors. Per Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown, bass behavior is split this time of year: some fish are gorging aggressively on shad spawns and bream bed edges, while others are hanging shallow and skittish, unwilling to commit to larger presentations. Tactical Bassin recently filmed a post-spawn session on Lake Chickamauga where swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse baits all had a role as conditions shifted between stained and clear water, a useful parallel for the high-water backwater pockets now accessible along the Mississippi corridor. Catfish are a reliable high-water target, holding in current seams and eddies behind structure. Crappie action typically tapers in late May as post-spawn fish scatter, though deeper oxbow holes can still produce.

2d ago

The MN DNR North Shore Fishing Report's May 21 update signals a clear seasonal pivot: steelhead spawning is winding down on North Shore tributaries, angling pressure has eased, and summer boat creel surveys begin this weekend. A few harvestable clipped fish are still being reported in lower shore rivers from Lester to Stewart, but the MN DNR notes that most anglers have already shifted focus to inland lakes. The Mississippi River at St. Paul (USGS gauge 05331000) is running at 15,800 cfs, elevated spring flows that push walleyes and bass toward calmer margins and backwater areas rather than open main-channel structure. Jason Mitchell Outdoors calls May a prime walleye window, while AnglingBuzz highlights slip bobber rigs as a go-to presentation right now. Fishing the Midwest notes that early-season crappie and bass in the shallows are usually cooperative this time of year. The First Quarter moon extends productive low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk through the coming days.

2d ago

The Grand River is registering 4,420 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of May 25, running on the higher side for late May and likely carrying some color through the lower Grand toward Lake Michigan. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report, Michigan's primary state-agency source, covers conditions across the Lower and Upper Peninsula this week, though the detailed regional bite breakdowns were not captured in our current feed. What we do know: Michigan Sea Grant is actively tracking smallmouth bass seasonal movements and population dynamics in Saginaw Bay as part of newly launched research, confirming that late-May smallmouth activity on the Great Lakes warrants close attention. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth coverage notes that clear-water fisheries like Lake Michigan reward swimbaits and finesse presentations during post-spawn windows. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown is timely: fish are coming off beds across the region, with some gorging on baitfish while others remain spooky in shallow cover.

2d ago

USGS gauge 06892350 logged 74°F on the Kansas River system at midday May 25, placing bass squarely in the post-spawn transition and catfish in their most aggressive feeding window of the year. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown captures the split anglers should expect: some fish are gorging on shad spawns and bream beds, while others sit shallow and spooky, reluctant to commit to aggressive presentations. Tactical Bassin reinforces the mixed-bag approach, noting that swimbaits and chatterbaits produce early before finesse options like the Neko rig take over as light increases. Flow is running at 9,270 cfs, a robust spring level that pushes fish tight to current seams, wing dams, and inside bends. Fishing the Midwest makes the case that rivers shine as summer destinations for anglers who learn to read the current, and the Kansas and Arkansas systems are well-positioned to deliver that experience right now.

2d ago

The Iowa River is running at 12,600 cfs as of May 25 (USGS gauge 05465500), a strong flow that pushes gamefish toward slack pockets, wing dams, and current seams. Water temperature is not available from the gauge. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) signals active walleye on Midwest rivers this month; their "May Walleye Craziness" coverage points to fish feeding hard before summer heat builds. AnglingBuzz describes slip bobber rigs as a go-to approach when walleye stack in slower eddy water, a tactic that translates directly to high-flow river conditions. Bass are in full post-spawn transition: Wired 2 Fish notes the characteristic split, with some fish gorging on shad and bream buffets and others holding shallow and spooky around remaining structure. Channel catfish are typical late-May targets in elevated river flows, though no direct local reports are available today. The First Quarter moon is building toward full, tightening prime dawn and dusk feeding windows through the weekend.

2d ago

USGS gauge 03335500 on the Wabash River recorded 6,550 cfs on May 25, a moderately elevated pulse concentrating fish along slower-water pockets, eddy lines, and woody bank structure rather than open current. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn bass are in a split feeding mood right now: some gorging aggressively on shad spawns and bait balls, while others remain spooky in the shallows still guarding fry. Tactical Bassin echoes that smallmouth in Northern lake and river systems are responding well to paddle tail swimbaits and finesse presentations during this transitional phase. On the Indiana shoreline of Lake Michigan, late May typically signals the start of improved salmon and perch activity, though no direct local reports are available in this feed. Fishing the Midwest recommends targeting shallow river flats and edges this season for opportunistic bites across multiple species. Check current state regulations before heading out.

2d ago

USGS gauge 05586100 logged 16,400 cfs on the Illinois River as of May 25, signaling elevated but fishable flows for the Memorial Day weekend push. No in-stream temperature reading is available at this time. The late-May First Quarter moon lines up with post-spawn bass behavior documented across regional sources. Per Wired 2 Fish, post-spawn largemouth are running in two modes: some aggressively gorging on shad spawns and bream beds, others hanging shallow and spooky near fry balls, so presentations need to match the fish you find. Tactical Bassin notes that Great Lakes smallmouth school up during this transition and respond well to paddle-tail swimbaits and finesse rigs in cleaner water. High river flows on the Illinois push fish toward slack water: wing dams, back-channel sloughs, and eddy seams. Fishing the Midwest recommends shallow, simple casting approaches on Midwestern rivers this time of year for consistent action.

2d ago

USGS gauge 13340000 recorded the Snake River at 54°F and 17,200 cfs on May 25, placing conditions squarely in the late-spring transition zone for both warmwater and coldwater species. Smallmouth bass on the lower Snake are moving through or just past the post-spawn phase at this temperature, and Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown rings true for this system: expect a split fishery with some bass gorging aggressively on baitfish while others hold shallow and refuse large presentations entirely. For fly anglers, Flylords Mag's deep-water smallmouth feature highlights carefully presented subsurface patterns as the high-percentage play when flows are elevated. Spring Chinook salmon are mid-run on both the Snake and Salmon systems during their traditional late-May window, though no charter or direct regional report is in our current feeds to confirm bar-specific productivity. Verify current Chinook quotas with IDFG before planning a trip, as slot closures can shift mid-week during peak migration.

2d ago

USGS gauge 11447650 logged 70°F water and 9,380 cfs on the morning of May 25, placing Sacramento-Delta largemouth bass firmly in post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish published a detailed post-spawn breakdown this week noting that fish divide between aggressive open-water feeding on shad spawns and spooky, shallow-holding behavior near their beds. Topwater presentations during low-light windows can produce, with midday fish pulling to deeper channel structure. Forum reports on The Fly Fishing Forum describe a strong shad run developing on the American River upstream, with one angler counting more than 20 fish to the net in a two-hour evening session and landing a bonus Sacramento pikeminnow exceeding 30 inches. Shad movement on the Sacramento system typically peaks through May and draws striped bass into tidal corridors below. Flow at 9,380 cfs is moderate for late May, keeping the system accessible across the Delta.

2d ago

Professional tournament anglers converging on the Arkansas River this week are posting some of the heaviest bags the fishery has seen in recent memory. MLF News, covering the Toyota Series Southwestern Division event out of Muskogee, Oklahoma, reported that big bass are 'more common now than they've ever been on the river,' a strong signal that the post-spawn feeding window is fully open across the Arkansas River system. With the First Quarter moon overhead and the calendar at late May, the transition from spawn to summer patterns is well underway on both the Arkansas and White River corridors. Per Wired 2 Fish, post-spawn bass are splitting between two modes: aggressive feeders chasing shad spawns and bream beds, and spooky shallow fish requiring a finesse touch. USGS gauge 07263620 returned no flow or temperature readings at press time. Trout anglers on the White River tailwater should plan around typical late-May patterns, though no region-specific reports were available this week.

2d ago

USGS gauge 09380000 recorded the Colorado River at 57°F and 6,990 cfs as of late morning May 25, a temperature that puts the Lees Ferry tailrace rainbow trout fishery squarely in an active feeding window. MidCurrent this week noted that midge-style patterns "excel in the clear, pressured water of tailraces," a description that fits Lees Ferry precisely; small nymphs and midge dries worked through the current seams below the dam remain the standard approach. Downriver and east on the Salt River system, late May pushes bass firmly into the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish describes this phase as unpredictable: some fish turn aggressive and gorge near shad and bait activity, while others "stay shallow and are super spooky, not prone to biting big, aggressive baits." Pro angler Justin Lucas, covered by Wired 2 Fish, advocates targeting shallow structure during low-light windows with loud topwater presentations to trigger reaction bites from fish that will not commit to slower baits.

2d ago

Water temps of 42-44°F recorded across NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 on May 25 confirm the Gulf of Alaska is tracking its typical late-spring thermal profile: cold but consistent with the opening of serious halibut season. AK Sea Grant reports Kodiak's fishing community has been out in force, with their annual ComFish skills competition drawing local fishermen to the harbor recently, a reliable seasonal indicator that charter and sport-fishing activity is accelerating. The calendar and temperature window align with the prime early-season push for Pacific halibut on Gulf bottom structure, as well as the continuing spring chinook corridor through coastal waters. The main operational challenge this cycle: seas are running rough, with wave heights between 4.9 and 8.9 feet logged across the three buoys. NOAA buoy 46066 is recording the heaviest conditions at 8.9 feet with 12 m/s winds. No specific charter or shop bite reports have come through this cycle. Anglers should contact local sources for current hot-spot intel before heading out.

2d ago

Water at USGS gauge 15266300 registered 44°F and 2,940 cfs on the morning of May 25, elevated snowmelt flows typical of Alaska's late-May transition into peak spring fishing. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports reached our feeds this cycle, so what follows leans on gauge data and seasonal context. At 44°F, the river is cool but within the range king salmon (Chinook) push through on their way upriver; the Kenai early-run window typically falls mid-to-late May, placing this week squarely in that opening stretch. Wired 2 Fish flagged a new study this week underscoring a longer-term concern: northern pike in Alaska's interior rivers are increasing their consumption of juvenile salmon as waters warm, a dynamic worth tracking alongside traditional spring targets. Rainbow trout remain available throughout the system. Check regulations carefully before targeting kings, as statewide timing rules apply.

2d ago

USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine River clocked 124 cfs the morning of May 25 — a low reading pointing to clearer, slower water along the Toledo Bend border stretch heading into Memorial Day weekend. That lean flow sets up a classic late-May scenario: post-spawn largemouth are off the beds and chasing forage. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn bass breakdown this week notes the fish are split — some "super aggressive, gorging themselves on shad spawns," while others are "super spooky, not prone to biting big, aggressive baits." Technique selection matters more now than at almost any other point in the season. LakeForkGuy's channel is calling this "the most aggressive crappie bite of the year" for post-spawn fish — a pattern that typically tracks across western Louisiana reservoirs as panfish move off spawning flats to deeper timber. First Quarter moon tonight favors topwater at dawn and dusk. Catfish are following seasonal warming toward deeper channel edges, a typical late-May shift for this latitude. Water temperature was not recorded at the gauge this cycle.

2d ago