Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Toledo Bend crappie and bass pivot into post-spawn summer mode
Inflow from the upper Sabine is running a modest 190 cfs at USGS gauge 08025500 as of Sunday evening, pointing to stable reservoir levels and clean water across Toledo Bend's coves and creek arms heading into Memorial Day weekend. The late-May post-spawn pivot is underway: largemouth bass have largely finished bedding at this latitude and are drifting toward main-lake ledges, with Wired 2 Fish's shallow-topwater coverage noting that low-light windows remain productive during the transition. On nearby East Texas impoundments, LakeForkGuy's recent post-spawn crappie video calls this the most aggressive crappie bite of the year, a pattern that typically mirrors Toledo Bend's standing timber bite. Hatch Magazine's recent feature on gar fishing the Sabine River corridor signals surface activity picking up along the reservoir's upper arms. Blue catfish are entering their pre-spawn feeding window, typical for late May at this latitude. First Quarter moon sets up solid twilight feeding periods through the week.
Shellcracker record highlights peak spring bite on Savannah chain
A new Lake Tugalo shellcracker record — 2 lbs, 3.26 oz caught May 20 on a worm and spinning rod — signals that redear sunfish are in top form across the upper Savannah chain, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Panfish and bass have been biting well regionwide this week; the same report notes a 6-lb largemouth boated after dark on a Jitterbug topwater, pointing to active post-spawn bass keying on low-light feeding windows. Georgia Wildlife Blog confirms another strong week of fishing underway statewide as of May 22. The USGS gauge on the Savannah system is running at 1,520 cfs — a moderate, steady level that favors stable lake conditions on Hartwell and Russell. No water temperature reading was available for this cycle. Rain is forecast for most of next week, per GA Sportsman; incoming precipitation typically triggers opportunistic pre-storm feeding on these upper-Piedmont impoundments.
Delta stripers in post-spawn transition as snowmelt push runs high
USGS gauge 11455420 on the Sacramento River logged 56,200 cfs on May 24 — a significant flow that signals an active late-season snowmelt push through the Delta system. No water temperature reading was available at the gauge this cycle. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta in its regular rotation but did not surface specific fish-contact detail for this period, so the species picture here draws on typical late-May patterns for the Sacramento-San Joaquin rather than direct captain or shop testimony. In late May, striped bass are typically post-spawn and transitioning toward summer structure in tidal sloughs; largemouth bass in shallow backwaters are wrapping up nesting and beginning to scatter. Elevated river flows like those showing now push baitfish off main-channel banks and into slower backwater cuts, where predators concentrate with less effort against the current. Target protected sloughs and dead-end channels for the best action, and check NorCal Fish Reports for real-time updates before heading out.
Lake of the Ozarks Bass Moving Post-Spawn as Late-May Warming Window Opens
Water temperature at 68°F — confirmed by USGS gauge 06934500 on the lower Osage corridor — puts Lake of the Ozarks squarely in post-spawn territory, with largemouth moving off spawning flats and beginning to scatter toward dock lines, brushpiles, and deeper main-lake structure. Wired 2 Fish highlights this week that early-morning and late-evening low-light windows are the prime feeding period, with pro Justin Lucas targeting shallow cover around grass, reeds, and docks using loud topwater presentations to trigger reaction bites. Tactical Bassin echoes that paddle-tail swimbaits and topwater walking baits are producing across similar Midwestern and Southern fisheries in post-spawn conditions. Fishing the Midwest recommends shallow-flat casting approaches as effective through late spring. No direct local tackle-shop or charter intel was available for this update; species reads are inferred from regional sources and gauge data. Check state regulations before harvesting crappie or catfish.
Rainy River walleye firing up as late-May post-spawn push builds
Water on the Rainy River is reading 53°F per USGS gauge 05133500 as of May 24, signaling the post-spawn walleye window is firmly open. Flows are elevated at 26,700 cfs (spring runoff levels), which concentrates fish on current breaks and slack-water edges rather than mid-channel. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is framing May walleye fishing along northern border waters as 'May Walleye Craziness,' with shallow trolling highlighted as a productive technique at this stage of the season. AnglingBuzz (YT) guide Jason Freed is dialing in both slip bobber rigs and big-water jigging setups for walleye, approaches well-suited to Lake of the Woods' expansive basin and reef structure. Fishing the Midwest notes that a slow-troll or casting approach in shallow water is producing across the region in spring. First Quarter moon on May 25 narrows the best feeding windows to low-light periods at dawn and dusk.
Late-May transition puts Moosehead landlocks and togue in the feed window
The upper Penobscot system (USGS gauge 01030500) was logged at 1,370 cfs on the evening of May 24, consistent with moderate late-spring flow as snowmelt winds down and rivers settle toward early-summer levels. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge. None of this week's angler-intel feeds provided direct on-the-water reports from Moosehead or the upper Penobscot watershed, so what follows draws on typical late-May patterns for this drainage rather than fresh firsthand testimony. That context noted: late May is a pivotal transition window. Landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout (squaretail) that were feeding aggressively near the surface through the ice-out weeks typically begin a mid-depth shift as water temperatures approach the upper 50s. Togue (lake trout) on Moosehead are likely retreating toward thermocline depth ahead of summer stratification. With the First Quarter moon currently overhead, the low-light windows at dawn and dusk remain your highest-percentage moments for surface and near-surface action before the summer transition closes that window down.
Post-spawn bass and stripers priming at Texoma and Eufaula for Memorial Day weekend
USGS gauge 07331600 clocked 6,600 cfs late Sunday, pointing to moderate late-spring inflow into the Lake Texoma system as runoff levels off. No gauge temperature is available, but late-May southern Oklahoma lakes typically carry surface temps in the upper 70s, right in the range that pushes post-spawn bass off beds and onto secondary cover. MLF News reports that the Arkansas River system near Muskogee is currently fishing on a high, with bigger bags more common than they have ever been on that fishery, offering the closest regional signal that Oklahoma bass are actively feeding through the post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish notes that during this stage of the season, shallow grass, reeds, and docks hold active fish at dawn and dusk; loud topwater presentations covering water quickly are triggering reaction bites. Texoma's landlocked striped bass should be working baitfish schools near the surface in early morning windows before summer heat compresses the bite.
Trout and post-spawn bass line up on Lake Cumberland for Memorial Day weekend
USGS gauge 03413200 logged 247 cfs on the Cumberland River on May 24, reflecting controlled, wade-friendly flows below Wolf Creek Dam that typically keep the tailwater clear and productive for rainbow and brown trout. Water temperature was not captured at the gauge this cycle. This week's angler intel feeds did not carry direct reports from Lake Cumberland or the Cumberland tailwater, so specific bite accounts are unavailable. Seasonally, late May in south-central Kentucky typically marks the close of the bass spawn on the main lake, with fish retreating from shallow beds to adjacent timber edges, creek channel swings, and bluff walls. Wired 2 Fish highlighted low-light topwater techniques around shallow cover this week that translate well to those transitioning bass. Crappie, fresh off spawning flats, are likely pulling toward deeper brush. First Quarter moon conditions favor active feeding near dawn and dusk.
Smokies Trout Push to Higher Water as Late-May Hatches Fire
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 66°F and 253 cfs on the evening of May 24, placing mainstem temperatures at the upper edge of comfortable trout territory. Rainbow and brown trout on lower-elevation runs are seeking thermal relief in cooler spring-fed tributaries, shaded deeper pools, and higher-elevation headwaters, which typically run 4–8°F colder. Flows at 253 cfs are moderate and most reaches are wading-friendly. Late May is a prime hatch window in the Smokies: Flylords Mag identifies green drakes as one of the East's signature emergences between early May and late June, and Gink and Gasoline notes that warm spring conditions tend to push sulphur and light cahill hatches earlier in the day than anglers expect. Evening sessions — when surface temperatures drop and spinners return to the water — should offer the highest-percentage dry fly windows of the day through this stretch of the season.
Chincoteague spring bite heating up as rockfish, flounder move in
Water at 67°F off the Eastern Shore (NOAA buoy 44014) opens a prime late-May window for Chincoteague anglers. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report confirms rockfish are schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and hard coastal structure throughout Virginia's coastal and tidal waters, habitat that defines the sounds and inlets around Chincoteague and Assateague. The broader coast is running well: On The Water's May 22 striper migration map and The Fisherman (Northeast) both flag an unusually strong push of 20- to 30-pound fish moving north, a class of fish not seen in this volume in many years according to The Fisherman. Summer flounder should be moving into inshore zones with temps in the mid-60s, though no local-specific flounder reports were logged this cycle. Bluefish are arriving: The Fisherman notes their presence at three southern New England locations, putting them on the doorstep of Mid-Atlantic waters. Confirm current Virginia size and bag limits before keeping rockfish.
Late-May striper and bass bite builds at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island
Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report, published this week, highlights fish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and hard structure across Virginia's waterways, a behavioral pattern consistent with the landlocked striper populations at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog separately flags a historic drought affecting southeastern Virginia, with reservoir levels drawing down and concentrating fish around remaining deep structure, potentially shifting them off typical shoreline haunts. USGS gauge 02075045 recorded a moderate 726 cfs inflow on May 24; no water temperature reading was available from the gauge. Bass are in post-spawn transition at both lakes, and Wired 2 Fish's shallow topwater coverage this week points to low-light windows, dawn and dusk, as the prime trigger for post-spawn fish actively refueling on shallow cover. Adjust depth expectations downward if water has pulled off familiar coves.
Sandy Hook delivers striper super slams as sea bass lag behind
Water temps holding at 55°F (NOAA buoy 44065) are keeping the spring fishery locked in striper mode around Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls the current run "the best Striper Fishing possible," and the sentiment is backed up across the board. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf's Tackle Box report from Hazlet described a Sandy Hook super slam this week — bass, bluefish, fluke, black drum, and blackfish all in one session using a bobber live killie rig at the Hook's tip. Bug Light is producing bass to 30 pounds on metal lip swimmers and glide baits. The sea bass story is a different one: Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands boats report mostly throwback sea bass and ling dominating bottom drops, and the Big Mohawk III captain (The Fisherman — Northern NJ) is waiting for a southerly shift to push warmer water onto the nearshore grounds. Fluke are beginning to stir near Keansburg Pier but water temps need to climb before the bite fully materializes.
Yakima running high as Eastern WA bass enter prime post-spawn window
USGS gauge 12484500 on the Yakima River recorded 2,540 cfs on May 24, signaling peak snowmelt runoff pushing flows high and fast through the region's trout corridor. Water temperature data was unavailable at the gauge; anglers should plan for cold, off-color conditions on moving water. Deep nymphing and weighted streamers fished along softer inside seams are the effective approach at these flow levels. On the reservoir side, Tactical Bassin highlights Western clear-water fisheries as prime territory for big smallmouth right now, recommending paddle-tail swimbaits and finesse rigs as the post-spawn window opens across the region. Field & Stream's bass-spawn coverage confirms bass are transitioning from spawn to post-spawn throughout the country, with shallow flats holding the most active fish. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes statewide spring stocking is ongoing, keeping planted-trout lakes a reliable option while the main rivers remain high and cold.
Spring Chinook on the move as Olympic Peninsula rivers settle to fishable range
The Hoh River was gauging 1,050 cfs and the Quinault River 637 cfs as of the evening of May 24, per USGS gauges 12041200 and 12035000. Both sit well below flood stage and within a range where gravel-bar and wade access are typically viable on most reaches. No water temperature readings were recorded at either station this cycle. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors Olympic Peninsula catch activity through creel surveys, though no harvest-specific data for the Hoh or Quinault was returned in this reporting period. Based on typical late-May Olympic Peninsula patterns, spring Chinook should be holding and moving through lower and mid-river pools on both systems; the Hoh has historically been the more bank-accessible of the two. Verify emergency regulations before your trip, as spring Chinook rules on these rivers are subject to in-season adjustment and can change on short notice.
Panhandle Red Snapper Running as Gulf Season Gets Underway
Water temps registering at 78°F (NOAA buoy 42012) and the Gulf red snapper season opener have Panhandle anglers moving offshore in force. The Pensacola Fishing Forum reported limits of snapper on opening Friday from reliable bottom spots in roughly 150 feet — blue water had pushed in along the trolling grounds, but scattered grass made bottom fishing more productive than targeting pelagics. A separate Sunday run out of Perdido Pass hit rough, washing-machine seas that pushed one crew east toward shallower 50-foot structure before they fought through to a 150-foot public spot for keeper fish; shorter drops at 50 feet produced only shorts on every drop. Salt Strong's May 22–24 weekend game plan flagged the Florida Panhandle as an active fishing region, consistent with those on-the-water reports. Wind readings from NOAA buoy 42039 show light air around 8 mph with warm air temps near 81°F. King mackerel and cobia are seasonally on track for late May in these waters, though no direct reports on either species surfaced this period.
Snook Reach Peak Season as Jacks School Through Sarasota Bay
Water temperatures of 81-82°F measured by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 are setting the stage for one of Tampa Bay and Sarasota's best inshore windows of the year. Capt. Brandon Naeve's crew at CB's Saltwater Outfitters set a new boat record on May 9 with a 34-lb 4-oz snook at Boca Grande, solid proof that the pre-spawn push has arrived in force. CB's weekly report notes May is prime time as snook migrate toward passes and stack up on structure. Jack crevalle are schooling in Sarasota Bay right now, per CB's, targeting baitfish near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets; early morning topwater on poppers is the top technique. Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's) is also reporting consistent upper-slot redfish on the flats, with trout rounding out the mixed-bag action. With a First Quarter moon this weekend providing moderate tidal push, expect feeding windows to concentrate around dawn and the incoming tide.
Keys Mutton Spawn Peaks, Blackfin Tuna and Grouper in Full Swing
ALL IN Key West charter reports mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" around the May full moon cycle, with yellowtail snapper nearly jumping in the boat; the snapper bite is set to re-peak as the next full moon approaches in early June. Grouper season reopened May 1, per Coastal Angler Magazine, drawing anglers back to local reefs and wrecks for black, red, and gag grouper. Sport Fishing Mag flags May through July as prime blackfin tuna season in South Florida, with the fish flooding offshore waters from the Keys northward and available on live bait, dead bait, lures, or kite fishing. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 are recording winds around 19-22 mph and air temps near 83°F. The only current water-temp reading is 78°F from buoy 41114 (dated late April); surface temps are likely near or above 80°F by late May. Target deep wrecks and reef edges for snappers and watch current lines for tuna.
Hill Country Bass Enter Post-Spawn Transition Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
The Colorado River is running at 1,010 cfs per USGS gauge 08158000 as of Sunday evening, reflecting healthy late-spring flows in the Hill Country watershed heading into Memorial Day weekend. For broader regional context, My Canyon Lake Fishing reports that Canyon Lake sits at 886.46 feet (58.6% full), eight feet higher than this time last year, with boat ramps fully operational and conditions described as ideal for boating and fishing. Direct angler reports for Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are sparse this cycle, but late May marks the classic post-spawn transition for largemouth and Guadalupe bass across the Hill Country chain. Striped bass remain a year-round draw on Lake Travis. Warming late-spring water should push catfish into predictable feeding patterns near creek channels. With the first-quarter moon overhead and Memorial Day boat traffic incoming, early-morning and evening windows will be the priority for anglers looking to avoid mid-lake congestion. Water temperatures were unavailable from gauges this cycle.
NorCal Chinook Surge as Upwelling Cools the Coast for Late-May Run
Water temperature at 55°F per NOAA buoy 46026 aligns with what Western Outdoor News — Saltwater is calling a significant turning point for NorCal Chinook. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, reports water temps have dropped to around 54°F below Pigeon Point, down from 58°F at the April 11 season opener. That four-degree drop, driven by strengthening northwest winds and resultant coastal upwelling, has fundamentally changed the look of the water, per Davis. Allen Bushnell, writing from Monterey for Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, calls the Chinook situation 'actually looking pretty good' after a difficult stretch. With NOAA buoy 46013 logging near-calm winds overnight, conditions appear settled for now. Rockfish and Bay-area striped bass are in their typical late-May window, though no captain or shop intel directly addressed those fisheries this week. Plan accordingly.
Calico bass and white seabass prime as SoCal enters late-May transition window
NOAA buoy 46025 logged 65°F surface water in the outer LA Bight late Sunday, with buoy 46221 returning 62°F and 3-foot seas closer to the Santa Monica Bay — a temperature spread that marks classic late-May transition in Southern California. Specific catch counts were limited in this cycle's intel feeds; SoCal Fish Reports is active with regional coverage, but no detailed dock tallies surfaced in the current pull. Drawing on buoy readings and the regional seasonal calendar: calico bass are the reliable near-shore staple, holding kelp edges and rocky structure around the Channel Islands. White seabass are in their spring peak, well-positioned within the 62–65°F spawning-run window. Yellowtail are beginning to filter into the Bight as surface temps approach the mid-60s, though consistent action typically waits for readings to push into the upper 60s. BD Outdoors Forums (West Coast) showed anglers already prepping kite-fishing rigs ahead of the coming season.
Walleye Push Shallow as Late May Opens on Minnesota's North Shore
Tributary flows on Minnesota's Lake Superior North Shore clocked 95.3 cfs at USGS gauge 04015330 on May 24, with no surface temperature logged. Walleye are the headline target this week: AnglingBuzz features 'Shallow Water Walleyes, Sturgeon & Lake Superior Tactics' as a current how-to, directly applicable to the big-lake structure fishing North Shore anglers work in May. Jason Mitchell Outdoors leads their latest content with 'May Walleye Craziness,' echoing a regional pattern of active fish as post-spawn recovery gives way to aggressive feeding. On Lake Superior's Wisconsin shore, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues tracking a growing lake whitefish boat fishery in the Chequamegon Bay basin, reflecting growing angler awareness across the lake's western arm. Tactical Bassin highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations for clear-water Great Lakes smallmouth, a relevant technique as North Shore bass stage on rocky shoals heading into the spawn. Lake trout, active year-round on this stretch, are at expected seasonal depth for late May.
Erie Smallmouth at Peak Spawn as Late-May Window Opens
Air temperatures sitting near 56°F and winds at just 4 meters per second — per NOAA buoy 45005, recorded in the early hours of May 25 — set a calm, cool backdrop along Lake Erie's PA shoreline. Direct on-the-water reports from local charters or tackle shops are sparse in this report cycle, but Tactical Bassin's coverage of Great Lakes smallmouth behavior notes that fish in spawn and prespawn phases concentrate tightly around shallow rocky structure, with large sections of open water temporarily vacated. Late May historically sits at the heart of the Erie smallmouth spawn window. Tributary drainage clocked 769 cfs on USGS gauge 04213000, indicating moderate flow without any flood-stage blowout that would push nearshore clarity down. PA Sea Grant's ongoing round goby management work in Northwestern Pennsylvania adds relevant forage context: goby-imitating presentations continue to be among the most productive options on Erie's rocky bottom, as both smallmouth and walleye have keyed in on this invasive prey species.
Late-May halibut and chinook window opens as calm conditions settle in off WA
NOAA buoy 46087, positioned near the northwest Washington coast, recorded near-flat winds of 1 m/s overnight into May 25, with air temperatures around 51°F, textbook late-spring PNW conditions pointing to settled seas and open-water access. Buoy 46041, further south toward the Washington-Oregon offshore corridor, backed that up with a 3 m/s reading and air temps near 54°F. Neither station returned water temperature data this cycle. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department is actively running creel surveys and monitoring angler activity statewide, though no specific catch-rate snapshot emerged in this data pass. With no charter or shop intel specific to Puget Sound or the WA Pacific coast in the current feed, this report leans on buoy readings and seasonal context. Late May is historically one of the stronger windows in these waters: spring chinook are typically still moving through the Sound, IPHC halibut seasons are generally open along the outer coast, and lingcod are active on rocky structure. Verify current regulations before heading out.
Spring Chinook and Shad Anchor the Late-May Push on WA Rivers
At 61°F and flowing 1,120 cfs per USGS gauge 14113000 as of May 24, Washington's Columbia basin rivers are hitting the sweet spot of the late-spring transition. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks conditions statewide, though specific on-water intel for the Columbia corridor is limited in this cycle; the gauge reading and seasonal pattern carry this week's report. The 61°F reading sits squarely in the comfort zone where spring Chinook hold and feed actively, American shad school through mid-river seams in increasing numbers, and summer steelhead make their earliest push into the system. Flows at 1,120 cfs suggest moderate, fishable conditions; confirm local clarity and wading access before committing to a wade-in approach. First Quarter moon this week can extend productive low-light feeding windows into the early evening, adding a secondary bite opportunity beyond the standard dawn session. Overall, late May marks one of the most species-diverse windows of the year on these river systems.