Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-spawn bass move to structure as Catawba flows run lean into June
USGS gauge 02142900 recorded 2.52 cfs on the Catawba drainage early Sunday morning, signaling low, lean conditions typical of a late-May drought pulse. No direct shop or captain reports were available for this specific drainage, but the regional picture from adjacent Southeast fisheries fills in the gaps. B.A.S.S. News coverage from Santee Cooper notes that bass in the region have 'fully transitioned into post-spawn behavior,' and Tactical Bassin's blog confirms the bite has shifted to isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits and drop-shots outperforming shallow presentations. On the Roanoke, the storied spring striped bass run historically peaks between mid-April and mid-May; by late May it is typically entering its final chapter before fish scatter to summer holding water. The full moon overhead amplifies dawn and dusk feeding windows across both systems. Verify current slot and size limits before targeting striped bass on the Roanoke River.
Hudson River stripers in full push as Finger Lakes post-spawn season opens
Striped bass are the top story for Hudson Valley anglers right now. On The Water's May 29 striper migration map confirms big fish continuing to push north, feeding actively on bunker, squid, and river herring. A recent On The Water podcast episode covered Hudson River striper action with Captain Chris Oliver of Keepin' It Reel Sportfishing out of Poughkeepsie, putting that bite squarely on the mid-Hudson corridor. USGS gauge 01357500 shows water temperature at 63°F with flows at 3,580 cfs, conditions well-suited for stripers staged on current breaks. NY DEC The Fishing Line flagged that musky season is imminent as of May 22, with the coolwater sportfish statewide season having opened May 1. Finger Lakes bass should now be fully into the post-spawn transition, moving toward early-summer feeding patterns on offshore structure and isolated cover.
Rio Grande runs lean in late May, setting up a technical trout window
The USGS gauge at Bernalillo (site 08330000) logged the Rio Grande at 27.1 cfs on May 30, a notably low reading for late spring when snowmelt runoff typically pushes flows considerably higher through the northern canyon. Thin, clear conditions like these demand finer tippets, deliberate wading, and small presentations to reach trout stacked in the deeper pools and boulder seams. No NM-specific shop or charter reports were available in current feeds, so anglers targeting the San Juan tailwater below Navajo Dam should confirm current conditions with local outfitters before the trip. The San Juan's dam-regulated releases buffer it from upstream variability, making it the more predictable option this weekend. A full moon running through the weekend tends to compress the strongest trout activity into dawn and dusk windows. Verify current special regulations before harvesting; both rivers carry distinct slot and possession limits.
Jersey Shore Striper Bite Peaks at Full Moon, Blues and Black Drum Joining In
Water temps of 55–56°F recorded this morning at NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 have the Jersey Shore in prime late-spring feeding range. Fishermans HQ LBI called this moment "prime-time for spring striped bass," with surf clams leading the charge along Long Beach Island's beaches. Grumpys Tackle confirms stripers are hitting fresh clams in the suds and swimming plugs after dark, with most fish running slot to over-slot size. After the Memorial Day weekend washout, OTW Northern New Jersey reported as of May 28 that sea bass fishing "dramatically improved" and bluefish and bass are back on the beaches in numbers. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf noted a big black drum landed off Sandy Hook, while The Fisherman — New Jersey edition flagged black drum ranging as far north as Staten Island. Today's full moon is expected to intensify tidal rips and extend feeding windows through first light and dusk this weekend.
Stripers Flooding the NH Coast in Force as Late-May Migration Peaks
Water at NOAA buoy 44007 reads 48°F off the NH coast this morning, cold for late May but well within the striper comfort zone. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, Surfland Bait and Tackle reports the striper season is 'in full swing,' with fish up to the 40-inch class from both the Merrimack River and the front beaches. Belsan's Bait and Tackle confirms the bite went 'full tilt' this past week as large mackerel and sea herring moved in, pulling bass to the low 40-pound class along beaches and estuaries. Capt. Tom at Beauport Fishing Adventures notes stripers in the 20-pound class are chasing mackerel on inshore grounds. The herring run in the Merrimack is still very much on, keeping bigger fish anchored in the river. Flounder are also producing decent catches as a secondary option worth your time.
Stripers Push the Merrimack as the Herring Run Peaks
Striped bass are commanding attention on the Merrimack River this week. Surfland Bait and Tackle, reported in The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, is hearing accounts of fish up to the 40-inch class running the river with the herring migration still fully active. Rod Teehan's report in the same outlet confirms that the Merrimack mouth fishes best on either side of low tide: paddletails on leadheads lead the way, with SP Minnows and bucktails also drawing strikes. That surge aligns with On The Water's May 29 striper migration map, showing big fish continuing to press north and feed heavily on river herring. USGS gauge 01073500 puts the Merrimack at 540 cfs, moderate and wading-friendly, with no water temperature recorded this cycle. No source in this reporting window specifically covered Lake Winnipesaukee conditions, so lake intel is based on typical late-May seasonal patterns for the region.
Truckee Flows Moderate as Late-May Trout Season Hits Its Stride
The USGS gauge on the Truckee River logged 279 cfs on May 30, a moderate and wading-accessible level as Sierra snowmelt winds down toward early-summer base flows. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, though late-May conditions in this corridor typically place river temps in the upper 40s to low 50s°F, a comfortable range for active trout. Local shop, charter, and agency reports were absent from our feeds this cycle, so on-the-ground conditions intel is limited. For technique context, Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage this month highlights precision nymphing and careful dry-fly presentation in clear, pressured water, a useful frame for the upper Truckee and its tributaries. Field & Stream's current feature on cutthroat trout is a timely reminder that Lahontan cutthroats remain a marquee species in this basin; verify current slot-limit rules with Nevada Department of Wildlife before harvesting. The full moon coinciding with peak late-May hatches may concentrate feeding activity during low-light windows at both river and lakeshore.
Post-spawn bite opens on Platte and Missouri as water runs lean
Nebraska Game & Parks issued a statewide low-water advisory this week, urging anglers to check conditions and boat safely before heading out — USGS gauge 06796000 on the Platte confirms it, logging 3,860 cfs on May 30. Despite lean flows, late May sets up well across this system. Bass are transitioning through the post-spawn; Tactical Bassin's current breakdown highlights isolated offshore structure and reaction baits like chatterbaits as the key approach right now. Full moon this weekend typically fires up catfish on the Missouri's deep channel edges and cutbanks after dark. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers can produce outstanding summer action when anglers target cover-holding fish in concentrated lies. Walleye, smallmouth, and white bass status below reflects typical late-May seasonal patterns for this system rather than specific report-cycle sightings — focus on current seams and hard bottom transitions.
Yellowstone trout in prime window as paddlefish season brings new rules
MT FWP Fishing News is flagging a significant regulatory change mid-season: paddlefish anglers must now tag harvested fish using new big-game-style requirements, with no more colored plastic tags. Complete all tagging before the carcass is moved, cleaned, or filleted. On the Yellowstone River, USGS gauge 06043500 (near Corwin Springs) recorded 2,800 cfs as of May 30, a moderate spring flow that keeps drift-boat access productive and may open wade-fishing reaches as runoff transitions toward summer levels. Flylab (Substack) recently revisited three decades of Yellowstone insect hatch data, noting meaningful shifts in emergence timing and species distribution, a useful reminder to verify current conditions rather than relying on dated hatch charts. MT FWP Fishing News is also spotlighting native bull trout recovery at Swan Lake, where invasive lake trout have steadily displaced the native population. Full Moon this weekend can cue low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk across both river systems.
Missouri River post-spawn bass hitting structure as summer bite takes hold
USGS gauge 06934500 recorded the Missouri River at 130,000 cfs with water temps at 72°F as of May 30 — conditions that signal a firm transition from spawn to summer feeding patterns. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass are responding well to isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot rigs all producing fish; their crew found drifting wind-blown flats and casting to visual cover the most effective approach. Fishing the Midwest reinforces that Midwestern rivers hit their stride in summer, with current breaks and eddy lines concentrating fish. The full moon tonight adds an overnight feeding window anglers should plan around. On the Ozark system, clearer tributary water may offer sharper conditions for smallmouth while the main Missouri stem runs heavier. Elevated flows favor catfish working slack water behind wing dikes and along tributary confluences heading into the weekend.
Redfish, black drum, and cobia in play as Mississippi Sound enters summer mode
NOAA buoy 42067 recorded 2-foot seas and 12-knot winds early this morning off the Mississippi Sound, with air temperatures near a warm 83°F. Water temperature data was unavailable from the buoy this cycle. The full moon on May 31 is driving strong tidal exchange, which typically concentrates feeding activity along grass flat edges and nearshore structure. MS DMR permit filings this week document active dredging and construction near Gulfport, Pascagoula, and Pass Christian; factor those harbor approaches into your route planning. Salt Strong highlights how redfish use grass flat potholes and edges as primary feeding zones, and how black drum stack tight against bridge pilings and pier footings. Both patterns translate directly to Mississippi Sound's inshore geography. Specific local trip reports from MS captains or tackle shops were absent this cycle; the species outlooks below reflect late-May seasonal norms rather than confirmed on-water reports.
High Water Running: Backwaters Hold Bass and Catfish on the MS River
USGS gauge 07289000 logged the Mississippi River at 763,000 cfs on May 30, a heavy flow that pushes fish well off the main channel and into flooded timber, cut-off lakes, and oxbow backwaters. No water temperature is available from this gauge, but late May conditions on the lower Mississippi typically run warm and turbid. Post-spawn largemouth bass are the prime target right now. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn breakdown this week points to isolated offshore structure, visual cover, and current seams as the key locations, with chatterbaits and neko rigs drawing reaction strikes. Catfish historically thrive in high-water scenarios on the Mississippi, staging in current seams behind wing dams where baitfish funnel into slack water. Crappie, if the spawn is complete, have likely moved to deeper flooded structure or the bases of standing timber. Full Moon conditions tonight can push feeding activity into low-light hours: first and last light windows deserve priority on both the Mississippi and the Pearl.
Post-spawn walleye and bass heat up as MN rivers run high
The MN DNR North Shore Fishing Report officially signaled the end of spring stream surveys this weekend, with summer boat creel monitoring now underway across Minnesota. In the Twin Cities and across the North Woods, late May marks the post-spawn transition for walleye, bass, and pike. USGS gauge 05331000 shows the Mississippi River at St. Paul running at 14,700 cfs, with the Rum River near Anoka at 6,200 cfs per USGS gauge 05288500, reflecting elevated spring flows that concentrate baitfish in back eddies and current seams. Jason Mitchell Outdoors flags this stretch as prime time for May walleye, with jigging along river breaks and trolling deep-water shelves off lake points the primary approach. Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass responding well to chatterbaits and finesse rigs around isolated offshore structure. The full moon peaking tonight can push feeding windows past sunset; plan dawn and dusk runs for peak action.
Walleye and Bass Prime Across Michigan as Post-Spawn Season Peaks
Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) flagged what they're calling 'May Walleye Craziness' and covered shallow spring smallmouth techniques this week — patterns directly applicable to Michigan's Grand River and Great Lakes nearshore fisheries. USGS gauge 04119000 recorded the Grand River at 3,500 cfs on May 30 — moderate late-spring flows that keep most access points workable without high-water complications. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report published its May 27 update covering all regional zones, though no in-sensor water temperature was available from gauge data this week. Tactical Bassin (blog) outlined a productive post-spawn bass approach — targeting isolated offshore structure, drifting outside flats with the wind, and alternating between chatterbaits and finesse presentations — a pattern squarely on point for Michigan waters right now. Tonight's full moon (May 31) adds a prime low-light walleye window on shallow flats, and steelhead runs are winding down for the season on schedule.
Cape Cod Canal Stripers Firing Hard as Spring Migration Hits Full Swing
Red Top Sporting Goods described Cape Cod Canal fishing this week as "like the Good Old Days," with big bass hammering Wally white pencils from bank to bank and anglers hooked up in every direction. NOAA buoy 44013 logged 49°F water on the bay side while buoy 44020 read 59°F farther south off Nantucket, a thermal gradient that's actively concentrating bait around the Cape. Belsan's Bait and Tackle confirmed stripers to the low 40-pound class chasing large mackerel and sea herring along the South Shore, with fish from Fourth Cliff to Minot hitting plugs in the 30-pound class. Westport River Outfitters ran back-to-back limit trips on legal sea bass alongside stripers from 34 to 42 inches. The Fisherman (Northeast) noted fish "approaching the magic 50-pound barrier" are already showing across southern New England. With tonight's full moon driving peak tidal exchange through the Canal, bite windows around current peaks this weekend should be exceptional.
Post-spawn bass shifting to summer haunts across Central MA
Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass delivering some of the best action of the season, with multiple large fish coming to boat on chatterbaits, swimbaits, and finesse dropshot presentations around isolated offshore structure. That seasonal pattern is fully relevant to Central MA's pond-and-lake fishery in late May. River flows from USGS gauge 01105500 (27.2 cfs) and USGS gauge 01111500 (56.4 cfs) suggest the spring runoff pulse has subsided, leaving modest, fishable water across the region's smaller drainages. No water-temperature readings were logged at either gauge, so anglers should verify local conditions before heading out. Tonight's full moon is worth building a plan around; full-moon phases routinely push bass into shallow feeding zones at dawn and dusk, making early-morning topwater a priority through the weekend. Check state regulations for current bag limits and any stocking updates before fishing.
Black Drum Firing on Structure as Memorial Day Blow Clears the Bay
NOAA buoy 44009 reads 58°F as of Sunday morning, and the clearest takeaway from this week's reports is that the Memorial Day storm put a firm lid on Bay-area fishing. Eric Burnley's column in The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake summed it up plainly: high winds and cold water frustrated anglers through most of the week and straight into the holiday weekend. When windows opened earlier in the week, fish cooperated. Smith's Bait Shop (The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake) reports black drum actively feeding at the Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach on blue crab, with Broadkill Beach also producing on sand fleas and clams at dusk. A 596-angler flounder tournament at Lewes Harbour Marina (The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake) confirmed flatties are beginning to stack in catchable depths, with the winning fish at 5.13 pounds. Stripers remain in their late-spring window throughout the region. With the front clearing and full-moon tidal swings building, this weekend shapes up as the reset Bay anglers have been waiting for.
Post-spawn window opens on the Potomac as Memorial Day storms clear
The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake's Eric Burnley put it plainly this week: "the weatherman was the boogieman," with high winds and cold water grinding Chesapeake-region fishing to a near halt through the Memorial Day holiday. On the Patapsco, USGS gauge 01589000 logged 82.3 cfs on May 30 — a moderate, fishable flow as the post-storm reset begins. Bass on both the Potomac and Patapsco are entering the post-spawn feeding phase; Tactical Bassin notes that largemouth are keying on isolated offshore structure and responding to chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshots. Catfish and white perch, Potomac staples, typically gain momentum as late-May water temperatures climb into their comfort zone. With the full moon peaking May 31, amplified tidal currents on the lower Potomac should compress feeding windows into the first and last two hours of moving water — the sweet spot for any species on a spring tide.
Striped Bass Surge Through Gulf of Maine on Peak Herring Runs
Water temperatures of 47 to 48°F recorded by NOAA buoys 44007 and 44027 are running cool for late May, but cold water has not slowed what The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME describes as a striper bite that has gone full tilt in the matter of one week. Surfland Bait and Tackle confirms the season is in full swing, with the most consistent action on larger fish coming from inside the Merrimack River while the herring run remains strong. Reports from the same region place bass well into the 30-pound class pushing herring up coastal rivers and hitting plugs and plastics across the board. Capt. Tom of Beauport Fishing Adventures is marking fish well into the 20-pound class chasing mackerel inshore, with early sightings of pogies in local lobster traps signaling that bait diversity is building toward the heart of the migration. Flounder adds a reliable secondary target, with decent catches noted across the zone.
Big stripers push toward Maine as Kennebec and Penobscot bass shift post-spawn
On The Water's May 29 striper migration map shows big linesides pushing north and feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring; by week's end, that front should be testing the lower reaches of the Kennebec and Penobscot. The Kennebec is running 4,570 cfs at USGS gauge 01046500 (May 30 reading), a moderate spring flow that keeps most presentations workable. Water temperature went unrecorded at the gauge, but late-May flow at this level typically corresponds to mainstem temps in the mid-to-upper 50s range. That window still favors landlocked salmon in shaded pools and cool tributary mouths, while post-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning onto rocky current breaks. No Maine-specific shop or captain reports are available in this cycle, so anglers should verify local conditions before heading out. The full moon on May 31 boosts tidal push on the lower river and extends dawn-and-dusk feeding windows for the rest of the weekend.
Venice Swordfishing in Stride as Late-May Gulf Conditions Open Up
Gulf surface temperatures have climbed to 82°F at the mid-Gulf (NOAA buoy 42001), and Saltwater Sportsman spotlights Venice, Louisiana as one of the world's top sport-fishing destinations for daytime swordfishing, with Osprey Charters running trips out of the Highway 23 terminus into the deep Gulf. Light winds of 5 to 6 m/s and 2 ft seas (NOAA buoy 42067) are keeping the offshore run manageable for boats willing to push south. Today's full moon puts tidal swings at their monthly peak, which historically fires inshore species through delta cuts and marsh edges. Redfish are the prime inshore target this time of year; Salt Strong's recent analysis of grass-flat behavior documents how reds use flat edges, potholes, and grass-to-sand transitions during warm-water periods. Those tactics translate directly to Louisiana's coastal marshes. Speckled trout and cobia are also in seasonal play, though no additional Louisiana-specific reports are circulating this cycle beyond the offshore swordfish pattern.
Mississippi and Atchafalaya Warm Into Prime Catfish Territory
USGS gauge 07374000 logged 492,000 cfs and 76°F water temperatures on the lower Mississippi on May 30, signaling a river running warm and elevated heading into June. That combination sets up classic catfish conditions: blue and channel cats stack in current seams, eddy pockets, and along flooded structure where baitfish concentrate. Post-spawn largemouth bass are completing their transition to summer haunts in the Atchafalaya Basin's backwater lakes and flooded timber. Hatch Magazine this month traced the deep regional pull of alligator gar fishing on Southern rivers, a timely reminder that late May into early June historically opens consistent shallow presentations for gar across Louisiana's river system. The full moon on May 31 adds a favorable night-bite window, particularly for catfish. No charter or tackle-shop reports specific to this stretch arrived in this week's feed; this update leans on gauge data and established late-May patterns for the region.
Post-spawn bass moving to offshore structure on the Ohio and Cumberland
USGS gauge 03301500 logged 1,660 cfs as of May 30, providing a benchmark reading for the region as both rivers head into June. Bass are firmly in post-spawn recovery mode. Tactical Bassin's recent post-spawn breakdown notes that fish have pushed off spawning banks onto isolated offshore structure, with anglers finding success by drifting outside flats and targeting bottom cover with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots. Wired 2 Fish reported this week that Kentucky biologists confirmed Alabama bass hybrids during routine surveys at Lake Linville in Rockcastle County, a development that puts Cumberland River tributaries on a watchlist. No direct impact to mainstem Ohio or Cumberland populations has been documented. Tonight's full moon compresses peak feeding windows toward low-light hours at dawn and dusk, a factor worth building your schedule around on both rivers. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge; typical late-May surface temps on the Cumberland run in the low-to-mid 70s.
Post-spawn bass and catfish heat up as Kansas River flows run high
The USGS gauge 06892350 logged 74°F and 10,700 cfs on the Kansas River as of May 30 — flows running well above seasonal norms for late May. That warm water is a green light for catfish, which feed most aggressively in the 70–80°F range. Bass are in the post-spawn transition under a full moon this weekend; Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn fish are locked onto isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, drop-shots, and neko rigs all producing. High flows push baitfish into predictable current breaks — outside bends, bridge pilings, and submerged timber are all worth targeting. Expect a strong night-bite advantage for flathead catfish as water temps hold in the low-to-mid 70s. Elevated discharge may affect access at lower ramps, so verify launch conditions before loading up.