Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-spawn bass and walleye active as Iowa River runs elevated into June
USGS gauge 05465500 clocked the Iowa River at 8,970 cfs on the evening of May 30 — elevated flows that push fish off open water and into current breaks, eddy pockets, and downstream structure. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, though late-May conditions across Midwest river systems typically put water in the upper 60s. Tactical Bassin describes bass in a full post-spawn recovery mode right now, with anglers targeting isolated offshore structure using chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations — the bite picks up when fish use wind-driven current and key on offshore humps. Walleye are in a seasonally strong window too: Jason Mitchell Outdoors calls May "walleye craziness" on upper-Midwest systems, with shallow trolling and slip-bobber setups accounting for active fish. Fishing the Midwest notes that larger river systems tend to fire up reliably through summer, especially when anglers work current seams carefully. Full moon conditions tonight may concentrate feeding activity along low-light edges.
Wabash post-spawn bass heating up as Lake Michigan enters summer pattern
The Wabash River is running at 4,590 cfs per USGS gauge 03335500 as of May 30, a moderately elevated late-May flow consistent with receding spring runoff. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this cycle. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are firmly in post-spawn mode, and Tactical Bassin reports that isolated offshore structure is the address: anglers working outside flats with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshots are connecting with quality fish. The technique key, per Tactical Bassin, is drifting the wind to your advantage and casting toward visible cover and structure. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers can deliver some of their best fishing through summer once flows stabilize. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant confirms nearshore monitoring buoys are back in the water for the season, providing real-time conditions data for Lake Michigan boaters. Great Lakes Now has flagged declining whitefish numbers as a broader Great Lakes story. Tonight's full moon favors low-light windows for bass and catfish; Wabash flatheads and channel cats typically run active along cut banks in late May.
Post-spawn bass prime across Illinois River flats as full moon arrives
The Illinois River is running at 13,400 cfs per USGS gauge 05586100, a moderate late-spring flow that concentrates fish along slack edges and current seams. Water temperature was not recorded at the gauge this period. Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass have relocated from spawning shallows to isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot presentations producing well in recent outings. The key, the blog notes, is targeting fish around subtle offshore cover and using wind drift to work outside flats efficiently. Fishing the Midwest reinforces that large rivers reward anglers who key in on slower-moving water adjacent to main current through the summer months. On Lake Michigan, IL/IN Sea Grant maintains three nearshore monitoring buoys tracking the spring-to-summer transition, though no surface temperature reading was available for this report. The full moon window typically coincides with aggressive feeding behavior, making dawn and dusk periods this weekend worth prioritizing.
High flows shape cutthroat and Chinook windows on the Snake and Salmon
The USGS gauge 13340000 logged 21,100 cfs and 53°F on the Snake River system Friday evening, the result of robust spring runoff pushing main-stem water fast and turbid across many reaches. Wading is limited right now, but high late-May flows concentrate trout in slower eddies, side channels, and tributary mouths where food funnels in. Trout Unlimited recently spotlighted Spread Creek habitat restoration work aimed at bolstering Snake River cutthroat populations, a reminder that this system is actively managed for native trout. For spring Chinook making their way up the Salmon River drainage, elevated flows can accelerate upriver migration and create prime holding water behind structure and in tailouts. Field & Stream's cutthroat trout primer notes the species' strong native foothold throughout Pacific-slope drainages, consistent with conditions here. Beads, egg patterns, and weighted streamers fished deep and slow are the standard approach when the river is running this high. Check current state regulations before targeting any anadromous species.
Ahi season peaks under the full moon in Hawaii's warm blue water
NOAA buoy 51004 put surface water at 80°F early this morning, and buoy 51001 confirmed 78°F nearby. Both readings sit squarely in the preferred temperature band for ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahi-mahi, and ono. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper and a trusted moon-and-tide calendar resource, highlights what offshore regulars plan around: the Full Moon on May 31 is one of the stronger triggers for the nighttime and predawn ahi bite in Hawaii's blue water. Offshore conditions are moderate to active, with 6.6 to 7.9 ft seas recorded across all three offshore buoys; winds are calm near buoy 51001 but freshening to roughly 17 knots at 51004, making leeward departures the smarter play on exposed grounds. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports are in this feed, so the species assessments below reflect buoy conditions and seasonal patterns typical for late May in Hawaiian waters. Confirm the current bite at local harbors before heading out.
Georgia inshore heats up: seatrout, reds, and Spanish mackerel in play for June
Capt. Judy Helmey of Miss Judy Charters declared Georgia's inshore waters in 'watching and catching mode' heading into June, with spotted seatrout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and cobia all accessible along the Golden Isles coast, per the June saltwater report in GA Sportsman. Bait situation is favorable: peanut menhaden, finger mullet, and mud minnows are available and plentiful, making a cast net a smart choice before heading out. Live shrimp remain a question mark. The broader saltwater picture has been 'hit or miss' per Joshua Barber's May 30 Southern Waters column in the same publication, a pattern tied to rising rivers, with the Savannah and Altamaha both sitting at 6.2 feet and rising after recent rains. NOAA buoy 41008 recorded light winds of 4 m/s and air temps of 26.4°C overnight, suggesting calm surface conditions entering the weekend. Full Moon tidal exchanges this weekend will run at their peak, concentrating fish movement through creek mouths and cuts.
Post-spawn bass fired up across Georgia as late-May rains push fish shallow
Rising water is the story on the Savannah right now. Per GA Sportsman's Joshua Barber (May 30), the Clyo gauge on the Savannah River sits at 6.2 feet and rising — aligning with USGS gauge 02197000 data showing 5,740 cfs — with recent rains pushing bass into stained coves and productive shoreline cover. Barber notes that 'bass have been munching this week,' with still-water lakes and ponds outpacing river sections for consistency. On the Chattahoochee system, West Point Lake is running about a foot below full pool, and GA Sportsman's guide-service roundup reports bass still holding shallow thanks to cooler-than-average late-spring temps: Pop-Rs, Whopper Ploppers, and unweighted Senkos are dialed in along any shoreline structure. Lake Sinclair, approaching 80 degrees with coves now stained from runoff, is producing tournament bags near 20 pounds. The full moon on May 31 should extend productive topwater windows at dawn and dusk.
Lake Okeechobee largemouth in post-spawn transition as June window opens
A 73.6-pound blue catfish from the Suwannee River, now the certified Florida state record per Outdoor Hub, signals that Florida's freshwater fisheries are producing at a high level this late-spring cycle. For Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns River, the late-May full moon lands at the heart of the post-spawn bass transition, with fish moving off shallow spawning flats and staging on grass edges and isolated structure. USGS gauge 02232000 shows the St. Johns running at near-zero flow with a slight reverse condition, a normal characteristic of this slow, wind-influenced river system. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but late-May Central Florida freshwater typically holds in the upper 70s to low 80s°F. Tactical Bassin's current post-spawn breakdowns recommend isolated offshore structure as the key holding zone, with chatterbaits and swimbaits leading during active feeding periods and neko or drop-shot presentations taking over as the bite slows midday. Bluegill are on typical late-May patterns with no specific current reporting to deviate from seasonal norms.
Trophy Snook Staging for Spawn as Fort Lauderdale Offshore Bite Fires Up
Snook Nook's June 2026 report out of Stuart leads the week with one of the year's prime inshore windows: the snook season closes along the Treasure Coast on June 1, but the days ahead offer the best chance at a trophy pre-spawn fish exceeding 40 inches as breeding snook congregate in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. Per Snook Nook, handle any oversized breeder fish carefully and confirm state regs before harvesting. Offshore, forum reports from Tidal Fish describe Fort Lauderdale's deep-sea charter fleet running into strong conditions, with warm Gulf Stream waters, floating debris lines, and current edges fueling consistent sailfish action and bottom fishing over natural reefs — a picture partly corroborated by South Florida mahi and grouper catches logged in Coastal Angler Magazine. Meanwhile, a federal court injunction has blocked the South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit program just before Florida's Atlantic season was set to open, per CCA Florida, leaving that fishery in legal limbo as of late May 2026.
Tarpon Migration Peaks Along the FL Gulf Coast as Permit Fire on the Flats
Water temperatures sitting at 82°F per NOAA buoy 42036 are fueling the Gulf Coast's signature late-May double-header. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains actively intercepting quality fish on the move and landing them consistently through the area. Afternoons shift to sight fishing large permit, and the charter calls the combination "as good as it gets for this time of year." Offshore, kingfish have been steady on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjacks showing up as bonus species alongside a varied offshore spread. Light winds around 4-5 m/s are keeping conditions workable, per NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039. On the conservation side, CCA Florida is monitoring a proposed cruise port development near Rattlesnake Key in South Tampa Bay that would threaten prime seagrass beds and shallow-water game fish habitat, a situation worth tracking for anyone who fishes that section of the bay.
Delaware Bay black drum on fire as the Coral Beds come alive
Big Dave's Tackle describes the Delaware Bay black drum bite this week as "excellent," with fish to nearly 80 pounds landed off Slaughter Beach, the Coral Beds, and Tussy's Slough on clams, shedders, and she-crabs. Hands Too Bait and Tackle confirms both sides of the bay are producing, with the Jersey side running particularly large fish this season; a 75-pounder topped the week's weigh-ins. NOAA buoy 44009 records water at 59°F, a temperature that has drum well engaged. The striper run at Fortescue Beach is winding down per Higbee's Bait and Tackle, though fish to 44 inches are still taking bloodworms as the horseshoe crab spawn begins competing for bait. Flounder remains inconsistent across the back bays, with Big Dave's noting a few keepers over five pounds from the creeks and piers. High winds and unsettled weather have been the primary limiter all week, with Eric Burnley at The Fisherman flagging rough bay conditions through the Memorial Day holiday.
Post-spawn bass feed stirs as DE rivers run drought-low into June
USGS gauge 01493500 logged just 2.83 cfs on the evening of May 30, signaling drought-suppressed flows across the Nanticoke watershed as the calendar flips to June. The fishing picture is brightening despite the thin water. Tackle World's correspondent in The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater reports 'better reports on the bass fishing as the bass move off the beds and go on a post spawn feed,' the classic late-May switch that typically fires through the Christina and Nanticoke drainages. Crappie and perch are also delivering: Dow's Boat Rentals reports 'very good light tackle fishing' from both species ahead of the holiday weekend. The week was a grind weather-wise. Eric Burnley at The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake describes 'high winds and cold water making fishing difficult' through the Memorial Day stretch. JB Kasper's NJ/DE Freshwater column notes that recent rains 'should ease the drought for a short while,' with rivers and reservoirs benefiting, a welcome sign that flows may tick upward in coming days.
LIS Striper Bite Peaks with 40-Plus-Pound Bass on the Deep Reefs
Water temperatures holding at 55°F across Long Island Sound have done little to slow one of the stronger late-May striper runs in recent memory. Fisherman's World in Connecticut reports an influx of bass up to 40 pounds this week, concentrated on deep-water reefs where bunker are schooling. Captain TJ Karbowksi of Rock and Roll Charters called the bite "nothing short of phenomenal," with fish from slot size through quality cows keying on both bunker and squid. Aaron Swanson's regional roundup for The Fisherman notes bait variety is exceptional: squid, bunker, mackerel, and silversides are all present depending on your position in the Sound. Bobby J's adds that while stripers remain the headliner, the fluke bite is beginning to gain traction. With the full moon overhead tonight, Saltwater Edge Blog notes a cold front is moving through, creating focused bite windows worth chasing before any post-frontal lull arrives.
Shad Pack the Connecticut River While Trout Hold Statewide
Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown describes the Connecticut River as 'filled with shad and stripers' and calls it the most popular fishing destination in the state right now. The Middletown-to-Cromwell stretch and the Rocky Hill boat launch area have both been consistently productive, with white perch joining the mix on sandworms intended for stripers. USGS gauge 01184000 puts the river at 62°F and 13,500 cfs — prime late-May conditions for the annual shad push. Smaller inland waters are holding up as well: Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports trout enthusiasts doing well in the Wilton section of the Norwalk River on inline spinners including Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Mepps, with three stockings having seeded the water through early May. Trout remain plentiful statewide per the same shop, though angler attention is shifting toward the river action. Tonight's full moon should extend low-light feeding windows across both river and stillwater fisheries.
Colorado River post-runoff window opens as green drakes build
At 61°F and 3,530 cfs recorded at USGS gauge 09095500, the Colorado River is delivering a narrow but prime fishing window on the back end of snowmelt. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) said it plainly this week: 'The time to float and fish the river is NOW before the heat kicks in.' Water clarity has improved after the runoff pulse, and trout are settling into predictable feeding lanes. PMDs and caddis are already producing, while Crystal Fly Shop forecasts green drakes arriving in full force within two weeks below Carbondale. Nymphing rubberleg stones and green drake imitations has been consistent. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) flag that 2026's historically low Western snowpack will push flows to summer lows faster than usual, compressing the productive window. Tonight's full moon may concentrate surface feeding into dawn and dusk margins rather than midday.
Chinook Salmon Season Gains Momentum Along CA Central Coast
Chinook salmon are staging a genuine comeback on California's Central Coast, with Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reporting from Monterey that conditions are 'actually looking pretty good' after years of near-closure. Regional correspondent Allen Bushnell credits the turnaround to northwest winds and upwelling that pulled surface temps down four to five degrees last week — confirmed by NOAA buoy 46042 off Monterey at 56°F, buoy 46026 at 54°F, and buoy 46028 off Cape San Martin at 59°F. That cold, nutrient-dense water is feeding baitfish and positioning the forage stack salmon need. At Half Moon Bay, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady (per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater) describes water below Pigeon Point as 'vastly improved,' having cooled from 58°F at the April opener to 54°F now. Rockfish remain a steady secondary target on structure; halibut are seasonally active on nearby sandy flats but no specific reports have come through yet.
Sacramento Delta bass and stripers enter prime post-spawn feeding window
USGS gauge 11447650 clocked the Sacramento River at 68°F and 11,000 cfs on the evening of May 30, placing the Delta squarely in its late-spring transition. At 68°F, striped bass have largely completed their upstream spawn and are scattering back through the lower Delta on post-spawn feeding runs, staging along current breaks and tule margins. Largemouth bass are in a similar recovery phase: Tactical Bassin's post-spawn report highlights isolated offshore structure as the key, with fish responding best to chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots when the reaction bite slows. Tonight's full moon adds a productive nighttime dimension — surface action after dark along channel edges is worth a targeted session. Channel catfish are also benefiting from the warm water. No Delta-specific charter or shop reports were available in this cycle; seasonal patterns and the USGS gauge reading are the primary data points driving this outlook.
Post-spawn bass and tailwater trout hold on Arkansas and White Rivers
Tactical Bassin this week documents post-spawn bass moving onto isolated offshore structure, a transition that applies directly to the Arkansas and White river systems as late May gives way to June. USGS gauge 07263620 returned no readings this cycle, leaving precise flow and temperature unavailable. Seasonally, late-May water temps on both rivers typically settle in the mid-60s to low 70s°F, with bass having largely wrapped spawn around this week's full moon. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn breakdown points to chatterbaits, drop shots, and neko rigs around deeper offshore holds as the key presentations once fish clear the shallows. On the White River tailwater below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, cool dam releases keep trout accessible through summer. Fishing the Midwest makes a strong case for river systems this time of year: catfish respond well to full-moon nights on both rivers, and white bass are typically finishing their post-run retreat to main-channel depth by late May.
Colorado River Trout in Prime Form as AZ Post-Spawn Bass Season Peaks
USGS gauge 09380000 clocked 58°F water and 8,070 cfs at Lees Ferry on May 30 — readings that place the Colorado River tailwater squarely in the comfort range for rainbow trout. While this week's angler-intel feeds carry no Arizona-specific shop or captain reports, the water temperature tells an encouraging story: 58°F sits in the sweet spot for trout activity below Glen Canyon Dam, where cool dam releases keep the fishery productive well into summer. On the Salt River chain, bass are working through the post-spawn transition typical for late May in Arizona. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn fish are keying on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, and dropshot rigs drawing strikes as anglers use wind to drift outside flats and cast to visual cover. The full moon this weekend can extend feeding windows at both ends of the day — dawn and dusk runs are worth prioritizing on both systems.
Memorial Day charter push kicks off Gulf of Alaska's best fishing window
Water temps of 43-45°F logged across the Gulf of Alaska by NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 on May 31 mark a seasonally on-target reading that aligns with the late-May charter surge out of Seward. Saltwater Sportsman covered the region's signature kickoff event: more than 160 junior enlisted military members from across Alaska just boarded volunteer charter boats in Seward for the annual ASYMCA Combat Fishing Tournament, held each year the Wednesday before Memorial Day, with crews loading coolers, rigging rods, and stacking bait well before dawn. That level of charter activity signals captains are confident conditions are fishable. Swells are running 3 to nearly 5 feet across the outer Gulf with sustained winds of 6-8 m/s, manageable for offshore-rigged vessels. A Full Moon is generating stronger tidal exchanges, prime for halibut positioning on current breaks, and late May is traditionally when king salmon begin entering Gulf nearshore waters.
King Salmon Early Run Builds as Kenai Rivers Rise with Snowmelt
USGS gauge 15266300 logged 3,030 cfs and 49°F on the evening of May 30, capturing late-spring conditions across Alaska's Kenai drainage ahead of the June push. At 49°F, water temperatures are sitting in a productive range for early-run king (Chinook) salmon, which typically enter Kenai-area rivers from mid-May onward. Flows near 3,000 cfs reflect normal late-May snowmelt loading; expect continued variability as remaining snowpack drains from higher elevations. Tonight's full moon can accelerate salmon movement during low-light windows; early mornings and late evenings are worth prioritizing. No charter, shop, or agency angler-intel reports were returned for this region in this cycle, so the conditions picture here draws on gauge readings and established seasonal patterns. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden remain accessible secondary targets while the king run builds. Verify current emergency orders and season dates before heading out, as Alaska's king salmon regulations update frequently.
Mobile Bay inshore heats up as late-May patterns bring cobia and redfish into range
NOAA buoy 42012 recorded 82°F water in the northern Gulf on May 31 — the clearest signal yet that Mobile Bay and Gulf inshore fisheries are running full summer rhythm. Light winds near 4 m/s and 2-foot seas confirmed by buoy 42040 make for comfortable boating conditions throughout the region. Direct charter and shop intel for this specific Alabama stretch is sparse in this cycle's feeds, so the picture relies on regional context and seasonal pattern: late May in Mobile Bay historically marks the peak of the cobia run along Alabama's nearshore structure, and redfish are active across the upper bay flats and marsh edges heading into the full moon. Salt Strong (YT) has flagged slicks — the oily surface sheen left by feeding schools — as the go-to real-time locator for redfish in warm Gulf Coast inshore water this time of year. Speckled trout remain consistent in the lower bay, and red snapper are aggregating offshore ahead of the Gulf recreational season window.
Post-spawn bass transition on the Tennessee and Coosa as June arrives
USGS gauge 02339500 recorded moderate flows of 836 cfs on the Coosa drainage as of May 30, pointing to accessible, fishable conditions heading into the June opener. Water temperature data wasn't available from the gauge, but late-May Alabama river temps typically run in the mid-to-upper 70s, the range that signals bass have wrapped the spawn and are pushing to post-spawn recovery haunts. Tactical Bassin confirms this transition is fully underway, reporting quality fish on chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop-shots around isolated offshore structure rather than the shallow flats that held fish through May. The full moon peaking this weekend warrants attention: feeding windows on rivers tend to concentrate at dawn and dusk, and overnight catfish action on current seams reliably surges around full-moon cycles. Fishing the Midwest notes that larger river systems offer dependable summer action once you identify current breaks and adjacent cover, advice that maps cleanly onto both the Tennessee and Coosa.
Redfish and Black Drum Active on Structure as Louisiana's Summer Fishery Opens
NOAA buoy 42001 recorded 82°F Gulf water in the early hours of May 27, signaling the full arrival of summer inshore conditions along Louisiana's coast. Salt Strong's recent angler coverage highlights redfish stacking on oyster bars — the species concentrating where shell hash meets tidal current — and black drum holding tight to bridge pilings and piers. Both patterns are characteristic of this late-May temperature window, and structure is the dominant playbook for delta and back-bay anglers right now. Louisiana Sportsman reported that LDWF conducted two joint enforcement patrols with NOAA Fisheries in the Gulf this past week, so ensure licenses, slot compliance, and bag limits are squared away before launching. Offshore, buoy 42001 shows 4.3-foot wave heights and winds around 15 knots — manageable for larger vessels but rough for small center consoles. Inshore conditions appear considerably calmer, with buoy 42067 logging only light winds near 4 knots.