Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Reds and Specks Active on Gulf Flats as Snapper Season Opens
NOAA buoy 42035 logged Gulf water at 79°F on May 25, and the warmth is translating to solid action across the Coastal Bend. Texas Fish & Game Magazine describes redfish pushing wakes through flooded marsh in pre-dawn light, with speckled trout and flounder stacking on the same spartina grass edges where shrimp are snapping along the shoreline. In the backbays, Capt. Reanna Yaklin has been logging consistent time on Baffin Bay per the Galveston Daily News, signaling the premier wading flat is fishing well. Offshore, the federal red snapper season opened May 22 per Lone Star Outdoor News, giving crews willing to make the run a fresh target heading into the holiday weekend. Recent TexasFishingTips reports cover Port Aransas, Baffin Bay, Laguna Madre, and Rockport-Copano, confirming broad charter activity across the region. The Galveston Daily News notes Memorial Day weekend carries a 50/50 weather outlook, so monitor the marine forecast closely.
Lake Murray bass in full postspawn mode as MLF All-American arrives
MLF News, previewing this week's Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray, calls the fishery 'loaded with quality bass' and expects 'a strong postspawn or early summer bite' from the field. The tournament, now in its 43rd edition and hosted out of Columbia, puts national competition attention on Murray at one of its peak seasonal windows. Over at Santee Cooper, B.A.S.S. News confirms the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series is slated for May 30-31 in Clarendon County, with anglers launching from public ramps in a catch-weigh-release format, reinforcing that both systems are considered prime right now. USGS gauge 02160390 showed a moderate 411 cfs as of Sunday evening, suggesting stable inflow conditions. No water temperature data was available from monitored stations, though late May typically places both lakes in the low-to-mid 70s range, ideal for postspawn largemouth moving shallow to feed.
Susquehanna Smallmouth Enter Post-Spawn Window as Flows Run Strong
USGS gauge 01540500 recorded 61°F and a flow of 12,700 cfs on the Susquehanna on the evening of May 24 — conditions that place both the Susquehanna and Allegheny systems squarely in the late-May smallmouth transition. At 61°F, bass are typically on or finishing their spawning beds, with post-spawn fish beginning an aggressive feeding push that can rank among the season's best. The elevated flow deserves attention: high, turbid water compresses smallmouth into slower inside bends, eddy lines, and tributary mouths, where current breaks concentrate forage. Direct on-the-water reports for this specific corridor were limited this cycle — PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports did not return catch-detail data in this pull. Wired 2 Fish notes finesse swimbaits as top producers for big post-spawn smallmouth in moving water. PA Sea Grant has flagged round goby expansion into the Allegheny watershed, a potential forage-base shift worth watching long-term.
Spring Chinook Push Builds as Oregon Coast Upwelling Takes Hold
NOAA buoys 46029 and 46002 are reading 57°F along the Oregon Coast as of May 25, placing nearshore water temperatures squarely in the productive range for spring Chinook salmon. Buoy 46002, the furthest offshore station, logged winds of 10 m/s, rough enough to limit small-boat runs to deeper grounds, while stations 46029 and 46050 show calmer nearshore readings near 3 m/s. Direct angler intel specific to Oregon's coast is limited in this week's feeds, but Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that northwest-wind-driven upwelling has significantly improved Chinook salmon prospects along California's Central Coast, pushing water temps into a productive 54–57°F band and concentrating baitfish. That same upwelling pulse typically tracks north as the season progresses. At 57°F, Oregon coast waters sit in a window consistent with active spring Chinook; typical late-May nearshore targets also include lingcod and rockfish. Verify current ocean salmon seasons with ODFW before launching.
Bass and Catfish Headline NC Freshwater as Catawba and Roanoke Flow Runs Lean
USGS gauge 02142900 logged just 1.06 cfs on the evening of May 24, signaling below-average flow heading into the Memorial Day weekend. No temperature reading was available from the gauge, but late-May conditions across the Catawba reservoir chain and Roanoke River corridor typically push surface temps into the mid-to-upper 70s, well into post-spawn territory for most resident species. Direct tackle-shop and guide reports for these inland waters are absent from this reporting cycle, so assessments here reflect seasonal norms calibrated against the available gauge signal. Largemouth bass across the Catawba lakes are expected to be wrapping up their post-spawn transition, shifting from shallow beds toward nearby channel breaks and woody structure. On the Roanoke, the spring rockfish run typically thins considerably by late May, with resident stripers pulling toward deeper, cooler mid-channel holds as surface temps climb. Catfish remain the most reliable late-May target on both systems, growing more active as warm nights lengthen feeding windows.
Hudson Valley bass reach peak spawn as Finger Lakes walleye season heats up
Water temperature on the Hudson River measured 63°F at USGS gauge 01357500 on May 24, placing the Hudson Valley squarely in prime smallmouth bass spawning conditions; males are pushing onto shallow gravel shoals and rocky points across the region. NY DEC's The Fishing Line confirms spring trout stocking remains underway through late May, with brook, brown, and rainbow trout accessible in recently stocked tributaries. The coolwater sportfish season opened May 1 per NY DEC, putting Finger Lakes walleye, now past their spawn, into active post-spawn feeding mode along deeper structure. Brookdog Fishing Co., reporting from western NY's Lake Ontario corridor where water temperatures are running parallel, notes smallmouth have gone 'spawny and slid shallow,' a pattern mirrored across upstate NY at similar temps. On The Water's May 22 striper migration update notes the spring Hudson River push remains active, with first-quarter moon timing (May 25) favoring feeding along current seams in the lower mainstem.
Big Stripers Rule the Jersey Shore as Memorial Day Surf Action Peaks
Water temps at 55°F on NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 have striped bass firing in force along the Jersey Shore. Fishermans HQ LBI reported the surf striper bite "still cranking" as of May 20, with fish working every cut, bowl, and gutter from north to south end on LBI on clam baits and bunker chunks. Blue Chip Sportfishing called it "the best Striper Fishing possible" heading into Memorial Day weekend. Black drum have joined the action, with Grumpys Tackle reporting 15- to 30-pound fish eating fresh clam in the Seaside Park surf alongside the bass. Bluefish made their first showing just ahead of the holiday: a 9.15-pound chopper was weighed in on May 17 per The Fisherman Central NJ. Sea bass season is open but running slow on the party-boat fleet, with most captains pointing to cool water as the holdback. Fluke are beginning to stir near the inlets on outgoing tides, though the bite remains inconsistent.
Platte River Walleye and Bass Hit Their Late-May Stride
Moderate spring flows on the Platte — USGS gauge 06796000 logged 3,100 cfs on May 24 — are positioning walleye and bass across current seams and shallow backwaters typical of late-May Midwest rivers. No water temperature is available from the gauge, but river temps in Nebraska at this point in the season commonly approach the upper 60s, a range that aligns with active post-spawn walleye feeding. Fishing the Midwest's spring coverage highlights jig fishing and slip-sinker live-bait rigs as proven walleye producers on Midwest rivers, and their early-season primer notes crappie, bass, and walleye all responding to shallow presentations on flats and secondary channels. Wired 2 Fish details how bass in late May lock onto shallow grass, reeds, and docks during low-light windows, with topwater presentations drawing the most aggressive strikes — a finding echoed in Tactical Bassin's recent topwater walking-bait coverage. Channel catfish are entering their pre-spawn peak based on seasonal patterns, though no regional source specifically reported Nebraska activity this week.
Drum on the Reef, Stripers on the Move: Chesapeake Spring Run Arrives
Water at 58°F as of May 24 (NOAA buoy 44009), the Chesapeake Bay region sits right at the edge of a key spring transition. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake reported the prior week brought persistent wind and small craft advisories, keeping many boats docked, though fish cooperated when conditions eased. Black drum are confirmed active across the region: The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake places drum on the Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach and at Broadkill Beach, responding best to sand fleas and clams fished at dusk. Flounder are present in the lower Bay corridor. A tournament out of Lewes drew 596 anglers and produced a 5.13-pound winning fish per The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake, though the overall bite has been selective in cooler water. For striped bass, On The Water's striper migration map (May 22) and The Fisherman (Northeast) both describe a genuine spring push of 20- to 30-pound fish working north through Mid-Atlantic waters, putting Chesapeake Bay anglers in position to intercept the run as temperatures inch toward 60 degrees.
Potomac & Patapsco post-spawn window opens ahead of Memorial Day
The Patapsco River at Hollofield is running at 417 cfs per USGS gauge 01589000 — a moderate, fishable level heading into the Memorial Day weekend. No in-gauge water temperature is available, but The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake reported Chesapeake-region waters climbing toward the upper 50s and low 60s through mid-May, with conditions improving markedly as the holiday weekend approaches. That trajectory puts the Potomac's late-spring striped bass transition front and center: On The Water's May 22 striper migration map notes the spring run cycles through peaks and valleys around lunar phases, and the First Quarter moon this week sets up a productive feeding window. Largemouth bass should be wrapping up or just clearing the spawn in the Patapsco's tidal stretches and Potomac backwaters, making the post-spawn feeding burst one of the season's top freshwater opportunities. Blue catfish remain reliably active on the main-stem Potomac. Shad are late in the run and typically taper by early June.
Late-May Gulf Heat Fires Louisiana Inshore Bite: Redfish and Black Drum Active
NOAA buoy 42001 recorded Gulf water temperatures of 83°F on May 24, signaling the full heat of late spring is in play across Louisiana's offshore and coastal waters. Inshore, redfish are the headline target: Salt Strong's recent underwater footage analysis shows reds holding in spots most anglers overlook around oyster bar structure, noting that small positioning adjustments dramatically increase catch rates. Black drum are similarly working bridge pilings and pier bases along the Gulf Coast, with Salt Strong's underwater breakdown confirming drum hold tight to the base of pilings at depth, where small crab or shrimp on the bottom produces consistent action. Louisiana Sportsman noted that LDWF and NOAA Fisheries conducted joint Gulf enforcement patrols on May 23, reflecting active angler presence on offshore grounds. With light surface winds of 9 mph at buoy 42001 and 7 mph at buoy 42067 and seas running 1.6 to 3 feet, conditions favor comfortable access to near-shore and offshore grounds this weekend.
Post-Spawn Bass Bite Heats Up Across Kentucky's Major Rivers
B.A.S.S. News reports Clint Knight topped the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley with 62 pounds, 2 ounces over three days, signaling that post-spawn bass are feeding actively across Kentucky's river corridor. On the river side, USGS gauge 03301500 logged a flow of 8,320 cfs Sunday evening, a moderate reading that keeps current-seam and slack-water structure fishable. No water temperature was available from the gauge. With the First Quarter moon now overhead and late-May warming well underway, largemouth are transitioning off spawning flats toward channel-adjacent structure and chasing shad. Ohio River smallmouth are similarly active post-spawn along rocky current breaks. Catfish hold as a reliable target on both the Ohio and Cumberland as ambient temps climb. Wired 2 Fish coverage of Justin Lucas this week highlights loud topwater presentations during low-light periods as a reliable trigger, a tactic that translates directly to vegetated coves and dock-lined banks along Kentucky's river arms.
Hawaiian Offshore Pelagic Season Builds as Warm Blue Water Holds
Sea surface temperatures of 77–79°F recorded at NOAA buoys 51001 and 51004 on May 24 confirm that Hawaiian offshore waters are firmly in prime pelagic territory for late spring. No Hawaii-specific angler reports from citable sources were available this reporting period. HI Sea Grant content this cycle focused on marine policy fellowships rather than on-water conditions, and no regional charter or tackle-shop feeds were available from this region. The buoy data still tells a useful story: stable blue water at these temperatures historically holds mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna (ahi), blue marlin, and wahoo (ono) in productive numbers offshore. Swells of 8–9.5 ft across all three buoys signal active Northeast trade winds, a normal late-May pattern for the Islands. Anglers who time departures to morning lulls before the trades build should find manageable runs from leeward harbors.
Colorado Trout Feeding Hard as Low-Snowpack Flows Run Warm and Clear
USGS gauge 09095500 logged the Colorado River at 2,350 cfs and 64°F on May 24 — squarely in the prime trout-feeding range. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) frames the season plainly in their May update: Colorado snowpack is historically bad, but for the adaptable angler the fish are grouped up and ready to bite. Matt Campanella's low-water piece for Cutthroat Anglers details the tactic shift required — lighter tippets, longer leaders, and a willingness to hike past crowded access points. Colorado Trout Hunters rounds out the picture with one of the best Dream Stream spring runs of migratory fish in recent memory, with large lake-run browns and rainbows pushing out of the reservoirs. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing notes the unusually warm spring has rivers "waking up much earlier than normal," with reliable midge hatches accelerating into a BWO and caddis transition. Conditions on both the Colorado and Arkansas systems favor technical dry-dropper and Euro-nymph rigs in clear, lower-than-average flows.
Central Coast Chinook Season Surges as Upwelling Takes Hold
NOAA buoy 46042 off Monterey is reading 55°F, right in the heart of the salmon temperature zone, and the timing lines up with a meaningful turn in the Central Coast bite. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater correspondent Allen Bushnell reports from Monterey that water temps dropped a critical four to five degrees last week, driven by northwest winds and upwelling that pulled cold, nutrient-rich water toward the surface and drew Chinook into fishable range. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, reporting to Western Outdoor News — Saltwater out of Half Moon Bay, says conditions below Pigeon Point went from sluggish to vastly improved as the water cooled from 58°F to 54°F since the season's April opener. Rockfish and halibut are listed as Active based on typical late-May patterns for the region; no direct catch reports for those species were available in current intel. Verify Chinook bag limits and season dates before launching.
Colorado River rainbows prime as Salt River bass enter post-spawn
USGS gauge 09380000 logged the Colorado River at 58°F and 8,040 cfs Sunday afternoon, placing water temperature squarely in rainbow trout's prime feeding window at Lee's Ferry. No local tackle shop or charter reports surfaced in our feeds this cycle, so gauge data and seasonal patterns carry this week's read. At 58°F, tailwater rainbows feed with confidence — nymphing through main-channel seams and current breaks should be productive. On the Salt River basin, largemouth and smallmouth bass are moving through the post-spawn transition by late May. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn analysis points to swimbaits and finesse presentations as the go-to approach once fish leave the beds and resume active foraging. Wired 2 Fish reinforces early-morning topwater near shallow cover — worth a run along protected coves at first light before the desert heat builds. Channel catfish and carp are increasingly active as water temperatures climb toward summer ranges.
Gulf of Alaska Halibut Charters and King Salmon Season Build Into Late-May Prime Window
Water temps across the Gulf of Alaska sit at 42–44°F per NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 — right in line with typical late-May readings for this subarctic fishery. Light to moderate winds of 4–7 m/s are keeping offshore conditions workable heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Specific charter or shop reports for the Gulf were not available in this cycle's intel feeds, but AK Sea Grant highlighted strong local engagement at the ComFish harbor skills competition in Kodiak, with a dozen-plus local fishers competing in the timed harbor challenge — a reliable signal that the fleet is active and motivated as the season accelerates. Late May is historically when spring halibut charters hit full stride and early king salmon begin showing in nearshore corridors. Without on-the-water captain reports to anchor specific bite windows, status assessments here draw on buoy data and the well-established seasonal patterns for the region. Contact local charter operators for real-time bite updates before planning your trip.
Kenai spring kings enter early-run window as snowmelt flows hold
USGS gauge 15266300 put the Kenai at 46°F and 2,920 cfs on the afternoon of May 24 — snowmelt territory that signals the river is still cold and running moderate but manageable volume. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports reached our intel feeds this cycle, so the species-by-species outlook below draws on gauge conditions and seasonal patterns rather than fresh guide testimony. That said, Wired 2 Fish flagged research this week noting that invasive northern pike in Alaska freshwaters are consuming more forage as temperatures tick upward — a heads-up for anglers working interior river sloughs where pike and juvenile salmon share habitat. On the Kenai itself, late May is when the early-run king salmon (Chinook) typically begin showing at the upper river. A 46°F water column and moderate current push fish toward slower tailouts and deep mid-channel slots. Dolly Varden and rainbow trout remain seasonally resident and accessible throughout the system.
Toledo Bend largemouth transition post-spawn as crappie bite peaks
USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine River recorded an inflow of 143 cfs on May 24 — low and stable, pointing to settled pool conditions at Toledo Bend heading into Memorial Day weekend. No water temperature was captured at the gauge, though late May typically delivers surface readings in the upper 70s to low 80s on this reservoir. Largemouth bass are deep in the post-spawn transition, moving off spawning flats toward channel edges and standing timber as water temps climb; Tactical Bassin's recent post-spawn breakdown on Lake Chickamauga noted fish scatter to deeper adjacent structure and respond better to finesse presentations once beds are cleared. LakeForkGuy is flagging what they call the most aggressive crappie bite of the year for post-spawn fish on Southern fisheries — brush piles and submerged timber in the 15-to-25-foot zone are the play. Hatch Magazine's recent essay on the Sabine River corridor is a reminder that alligator gar haunt these waters year-round and represent an underexplored big-game target on fly or heavy tackle.
Snake River cutthroats active as Yellowstone-Teton corridor hits peak snowmelt
The USGS gauge at 06192500 logged 5,660 cfs and 53°F on May 24, placing the greater Yellowstone-Teton corridor squarely in peak snowmelt. At 53°F, trout metabolism is strong even as elevated flows limit wade access on main stems. No Wyoming-specific shop or charter reports surfaced in this week's feeds, but MidCurrent's current tying coverage captures the broader seasonal moment: hatches are beginning to fire across every feeding lane as water warms, with patterns ranging from high-riding surface attractors to subsurface nymphs and open-water streamers. For Snake River fine-spotted cutthroats, late May typically stacks fish against bank seams and slower braids, with nymphing a PMD or caddis larva pattern under an indicator as the high-percentage play. Expect sporadic BWO and early caddis activity during midday calm windows. Streamers in olive or brown produce along undercut banks when visibility is limited. Confirm current Yellowstone National Park seasonal closures before your trip.
White River Runs Clear and Warm: Tailwater Trout Retreat to Deep Pools
Water temps on the White River system registered 71°F with flows at just 16.5 cfs as of May 24, per USGS gauge 07060710. A reading like that puts this world-class tailwater fishery squarely into its most technical summer pattern. Rainbow trout begin exhibiting thermal stress above 68°F, meaning daytime feeding activity is likely suppressed across Bull Shoals and Norfork sections; fish will stack in the deepest available pools and near any active dam discharge where cold water first enters the system. Brown trout, notably more heat-tolerant than rainbows, offer the better daylight option. At 16.5 cfs, the water runs gin-clear with minimal current, a setup that demands long, light leaders and small flies. MidCurrent recently spotlighted sparse midge-style patterns as effective in "the clear, pressured water of...tailraces," which maps closely onto current conditions here. No regional tackle shop or charter reports were available this week to confirm specific bite windows on either tailwater.
Bass and panfish hot on Lanier and Allatoona as post-spawn settles in
Panfish and bass are biting well across Georgia this week, according to GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News contributor Joshua Barber's May 23 Southern Waters Fishing Report — a positive signal that aligns with statewide coverage from Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing, which is flagging late May as prime time for the multi-species Georgia Bass Slam. USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam is logging 660 cfs at 49°F, reflecting cold hypolimnetic releases from Lanier that typically draw striped bass and hybrid striped bass into the tailrace as main-lake surface temperatures climb through spring. At Lake Allatoona and across the Lanier cove system, post-spawn bass are off beds and recovering, making finesse presentations near points, docks, and laydowns productive for both largemouth and spotted bass. Barber's report also flags a meaningful rain chance every day through next week — a wet stretch that could trigger active morning feeding windows and push fish toward cleaner main-lake structure.
Big Stripers and Black Drum Running Strong Along Delaware Bay Beaches
Water at 58°F (NOAA buoy 44009, May 24) is keeping Delaware Bay's spring striper run locked in and firing hard. The Fisherman — Southern NJ describes the bite as 'firing on all cylinders' this week, with bayfront beaches from Fortescue south producing oversize stripers to 46 inches on bloodworms, bloodworm balls, and clam. Higbee's Bait and Tackle's report in The Fisherman — Southern NJ notes almost exclusively oversize fish in the 36-to-46-inch range — anglers experimenting with bloodworm ball and spawn-net combos are finding consistent hook-ups. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) calls it 'the best Striper Fishing possible' on current day trips. Black drum have joined the mix, with bay anglers picking up fish to 15 pounds on clam baits. Flounder remains the weak link — wind-stirred water and cool bay temps kept fluke sluggish through mid-May, though early-morning anglers using live minnows and Gulp scratched out limits during the calmer windows, per The Fisherman — Southern NJ.
Bass Moving Shallow and Trout Holding Deep at Quabbin and Wachusett
A western Massachusetts angler fishing Hampton Pond in Westfield on May 13 located brook and rainbow trout holding over deep water on the sonar, connecting on Bobby Garland Baby Shad and surface flies before cold, rainy conditions shut things down (The Fisherman — New England Freshwater). That deep-water trout pattern fits the late-May picture at Quabbin and Wachusett, where rising surface temps push cold-water species toward the thermocline. The Swift River below Quabbin (USGS 01174500) read 47.4 cfs on May 24, a moderate controlled release pointing to stable reservoir levels. No direct reservoir reports are in hand this week, but regional freshwater intel confirms largemouth bass are on or past the spawn across southern New England, described as trickier to entice than in prespawn (The Fisherman — New England Freshwater). Smallmouth, typically a beat behind largemouth in the spawn cycle, should be moving onto rocky shallows at both reservoirs now. Nearby Rhode Island stillwaters have been producing largemouth to 6 pounds on nighttime wakebaits, a useful benchmark for comparable central MA waters (The Fisherman — New England Freshwater).