Fishing reports
19284 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Toledo Bend crappie hit peak post-spawn form as bass shift to summer structure
LakeForkGuy is calling it the most aggressive crappie bite of the year on nearby East Texas impoundments, and that post-spawn pattern typically tracks across the Sabine border lakes through late May. USGS gauge 08025500 logged 91.7 cfs early Sunday morning, indicating low, stable inflows and likely clear-water conditions in the upper arms and creek channels of Toledo Bend. Largemouth bass are transitioning off beds at this point in the season, staging on main-lake timber lines and secondary points during the heat of the day, with topwater and shad-pattern presentations drawing strikes in low-light windows. Hatch Magazine recently published a piece on the Sabine River's alligator gar legacy, a reminder that the upper Sabine corridor supports one of the Gulf South's most underrated warm-season freshwater targets. No surface temperature data was available from the gauge this cycle. Moon is in the First Quarter, putting the two hours around sunrise at the top of the bite window across species.
Post-spawn bass and panfish firing across Georgia's Savannah chain
Georgia Outdoor News reported May 23 that panfish and bass are biting well across the state, with Jimmy Zinker landing a 6-pound largemouth on a Muskie Jitterbug during a night fishing trip. Just upstream in the Savannah chain, Lake Tugalo yielded a new shellcracker lake record May 20: Phil Black's 2-pound, 3.26-ounce fish taken on a worm, pointing to a strong panfish bite that likely extends through Hartwell and Russell. The Savannah River is flowing steady at 1,770 cfs below Hartwell Dam (USGS gauge 02192000), indicating stable lake levels with no major runoff disruption. The Georgia Wildlife Blog notes Georgia's bass season has continued rolling into another productive week. With the First Quarter moon bringing partially dark nights, topwater windows remain solid at dawn and dusk. Per GA Sportsman, rain chances build through next week, a potential feeding trigger for bass staging along secondary points and channel edges.
Delta reverse flow puts stripers and bass in play for Memorial Day weekend
USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a strong reverse flow of 5,270 cfs, running negative toward the Bay, in the early hours of May 24, a tidal condition that typically concentrates baitfish along channel edges and puts predators on the feed across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. NorCal Fish Reports maintains an active Delta reporting section heading into the Memorial Day stretch, though detailed catch tallies were not available in this cycle's update. On the technique side, Wired 2 Fish spotlights shallow topwater presentations during low-light windows around grass, reeds, and dock structure as a productive approach, a pattern that maps directly onto Delta slough fishing at this stage of the season. Striped bass are likely settling into their post-spawn distribution across main channels and larger sloughs, while largemouth bass are transitioning off beds and beginning to re-engage on the feed. First Quarter moon tides are building tidal push, making current-seam timing the key variable for the days ahead.
Green River Tailwater Browns and Rainbows Prime for Late-May Hatch Season
USGS gauge 09234500 logged 51°F and 1,170 cfs on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam early this morning, placing tailwater browns and rainbows squarely in their most productive temperature range. No direct tackle-shop or captain reports from the UT corridor appeared in this week's angler feeds, but the hydrograph tells a favorable story. MidCurrent's current tying coverage spotlights midge-style patterns "that excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a timely note for technical presentations on the A, B, and C sections. Flows at 1,170 cfs are moderate and wading remains feasible in many stretches, though anglers should scout access points before committing. Pale Morning Dun hatches and caddis activity are typical for late May on this stretch, and a First Quarter moon adds low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Nymphing under an indicator and dry-dropper rigs are worth having ready for any conditions you encounter.
Bass and catfish dial in as the Salt River chain warms toward Memorial Day
Salt River gauge 09498500 recorded 86.5 cfs early Sunday morning, a low and stable reading pointing to calm lake conditions across Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River chain heading into Memorial Day weekend. No specific on-the-water reports for this district appeared in this report cycle, so conditions below draw on late-May seasonal patterns for Arizona's desert reservoirs. That said, Wired 2 Fish this week features professional angler Justin Lucas breaking down the early-morning topwater bite in exactly these conditions: shallow cover at first light, calm water, and fish willing to surface-feed before the heat sets in. Arizona desert lakes typically push water temps into the upper 70s by late May, meaning largemouth and smallmouth bass are generally transitioning out of spawn and staging on mid-depth structure. Expect the best bass action before 8 a.m. and again after 6 p.m. Channel catfish tend to become more active in warming shallows after dark.
Lake Mead stripers entering prime late-May surface bite window
On the Water's May 22 striper migration update notes the spring run "hits peaks and valleys" around moon cycles, a pattern that applies to landlocked striped bass at Lake Mead as much as to coastal fisheries. No current gauge data is available from USGS 09421500 this cycle, and no region-specific shop or charter reports surfaced in today's feeds. With that caveat on the table: late May is historically prime striper territory on the reservoir, as shad schools become dense and predictable near rocky structure and stripers begin corralling bait actively at dawn. Wired 2 Fish's recent shallow topwater breakdown reinforces that low-light, calm-surface windows are when reaction bites peak, a technique that translates directly to Lake Mead's morning boil fishing. First Quarter moon (May 24) aligns the dawn window with moderate lunar influence over the next several days.
Lake of the Ozarks bass go post-spawn as topwater window cracks open
Water temperature logged at 67°F by USGS gauge 06934500 on the regional drainage confirms the Lake of the Ozarks system has entered late-spring warmth, prime timing for post-spawn bass activity across the reservoir. Wired 2 Fish reports that shallow cover around docks, reeds, and grass edges is producing aggressive reaction bites during low-light windows, with early-morning and late-evening sessions delivering the most consistent topwater action. Tactical Bassin (blog) reinforces the post-spawn pattern, noting that bass respond to a varied approach: swimbaits and chatterbaits in stained water, finesse presentations in cleaner zones. Regional flows are running elevated through the watershed, suggesting sediment load in the upper Osage River arm, and fish will likely concentrate where cleaner water meets the stain line. The first-quarter moon adds evening feeding support through the Memorial Day weekend.
Post-spawn walleye craziness peaks across the Upper Mississippi pools
USGS gauge 05344500 at Prescott logged 23,400 cfs on May 24, a moderate spring flow that keeps current seams, wingdam tips, and slackwater pool edges in play for walleye and sauger. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is headlining this window "May Walleye Craziness," framing the post-spawn transition as one of the year's peak periods for river walleye. AnglingBuzz (YT) backs that read, featuring fishing guide Jason Freed's walleye slip-bobber rig setup this week alongside big-water walleye tactics applicable to the Mississippi's deeper pool interiors. Fishing the Midwest notes that spring shallow presentations — slow trolling and casting to flats — are producing walleyes along with crappie and bass across the broader Midwest. Water temperature data is unavailable from the gauge this week, but late May on the Mississippi typically puts surface temps in the upper 50s to mid-60s°F, consistent with bass wrapping up their spawn on protected sand flats and flathead catfish beginning to feed aggressively after dark.
Driftless browns primed for evening hatches as late-May window opens
MidCurrent's latest Tying Tuesday coverage calls out Root River Rod Co's go-to Driftless streamer, a pine squirrel jig built to tick the rocky bottom through tight, technical runs without hanging up, and it is a reliable fallback when trout are not looking up. No live readings returned from USGS gauge 05407000 this cycle, so verify current flows before wading. Late May is historically one of the strongest windows in Wisconsin's limestone spring creeks: Sulphur and caddis hatches typically build toward dusk, drawing brown trout off the bottom and into the film. Hatch Magazine's recent coverage of spring creek technique is a timely reminder that Driftless water demands fine tippet, careful approach angles, and patience. The fish are pressured and the water is clear. With a First Quarter moon this weekend, nighttime light stays subdued, which should keep fish in evening feeding lanes longer than a full-moon cycle typically allows.
Prime post-spawn walleye window opens on Lake of the Woods
USGS gauge 05133500 recorded 51°F water and 26,500 cfs on the Rainy River at dawn Sunday: conditions that bracket the classic post-spawn walleye transition window. Females that ascended the river to spawn in April and early May are now dropping back toward Lake of the Woods, feeding aggressively to recover. At this flow, current breaks, eddies behind points, and tributary mouths are the high-percentage spots, with open-basin structure coming back into play as flows ease. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is running walleye content headlined "May Walleye Craziness" and a shallow-trolling focus this week, consistent with the timing on the ground here. AnglingBuzz (YT) guide Jason Freed has been dialing in slip bobber rigs and big-water walleye tactics, both approaches worth having ready heading into Memorial weekend. Northern pike are also fully post-spawn and hunting weed flats. First Quarter moon favors dawn and dusk pushes; expect a hard midday lull.
Mille Lacs walleye shifting into post-spawn mode as May winds down
Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is featuring 'May Walleye Craziness' content this week, a signal that upper Midwest walleye fishing is entering an active phase on big-lake systems. On Mille Lacs specifically, USGS gauge 05227530 returned null temperature readings this cycle with near-zero tributary inflow, so no instrument-based water temp is available. That gap aside, late May typically marks one of the lake's most productive early open-water windows as post-spawn walleyes migrate off gravel spawning bars and stage on adjacent sand flats and mid-lake reefs in 8 to 15 feet. AnglingBuzz (YT) features Guide Jason Freed with slip bobber setups and big-water walleye tactics directly applicable here. Per Fishing the Midwest, jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain walleye standbys, with spinning combos trending back for finesse presentations. The First Quarter moon sets up solid dawn and dusk feeding windows. Verify current MDNR regulations for season dates and slot limits before launching.
Finger Lakes Smallmouth Approaching Pre-Spawn Peak as May Closes Out
Water temp on Finger Lakes tributaries is sitting at 53°F per USGS gauge 04232050 as of Sunday morning, right at the threshold where smallmouth bass begin their final pre-spawn staging on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. With spawn typically triggering when surface temperatures push past 60°F, the fish are likely concentrated on rocky transition zones and wind-swept points in 8 to 20 feet of water. Tactical Bassin's coverage of clear northern lake smallmouth bass highlights paddle-tail swimbaits as consistent producers during this staging window, with fish schooled on structure before committing to beds. Wired 2 Fish contributor Justin Lucas notes that early-morning topwater around shallow cover creates aggressive reaction bites during low-light windows, a technique that applies directly to Finger Lakes docks and boulder fields at this time of year. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports from these specific lakes appeared in this week's feed; check with local shops before heading out.
Rangeley's brook trout and salmon hit prime late-May fishing window
USGS gauge 01054200 on the upper Androscoggin drainage is reading 102 cfs this morning — moderate flows that leave the headwater tributaries wading-accessible heading into Memorial Day weekend. No temperature data is available from that gauge, but late-May highland waters in the Rangeley corridor typically sit in the low-to-mid 50s, the sweet spot for brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) tracked a measured spring thaw this season, with ice-out on Dundee Pond occurring April 4 and lake access opening on a gradual schedule since. Regional freshwater conditions reported by The Fisherman — New England Freshwater show brook and rainbow trout actively feeding across New England highland systems through mid-May, and MidCurrent's tying roundup notes afternoon hatches are firing across the water column — a reliable trigger for rising fish on the Rangeley chain lakes.
Penobscot Runoff Recedes, Opening Prime Late-May Salmon and Trout Window
USGS gauge 01030500 logged the upper Penobscot at 1,500 cfs just after midnight on May 24, a sign that spring runoff is well past its April peak and river conditions are shifting toward a productive late-spring window. Direct angler reports from the Moosehead and upper Penobscot corridor were absent from this week's feeds, so this update draws on the gauge reading and regional seasonal patterns. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reported this week that inland bass action across southern New England 'keeps steadily improving' as water temperatures edge upward, a warming trend that typically reaches Maine's interior a few weeks later. With the First Quarter moon phase underway, low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk should concentrate landlocked salmon near tributary mouths, while brook trout hold in cooler inflowing streams. Lake trout (togue) are likely retreating to deeper thermocline water as surface temps climb. Check current state regulations before heading out: seasonal harvest rules apply throughout this drainage.
Winnipesaukee smallmouth staging pre-spawn as late May warms the shallows
USGS gauge 01081000 recorded 1,600 cfs at the Winnipesaukee River outlet on May 24, indicating solid late-spring flow through the watershed. No water temperature was captured at the gauge, but late May on Winnipesaukee typically puts surface temps in the high 50s to low 60s, a window when smallmouth bass begin staging on pre-spawn structure along rocky points and shoreline transitions. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that largemouth and smallmouth bass action across New England lakes 'keeps steadily improving' as water warms, with shiners leading the bite and Keitech swim baits producing consistently. Tactical Bassin logged a productive northern-lake session this week, finding bass stacked in the shallows and willing to hit paddle-tail presentations even under cold, unsettled weather. No direct on-water reports from Lake Winnipesaukee appeared in our feeds this cycle; readers should check local fishing reports before heading out.
Lake Champlain smallmouth on the pre-spawn edge as late-May temps tick up
Water at 52°F per USGS gauge 04294500 as of early Sunday morning — Lake Champlain's smallmouth bass are sitting right below the 55°F threshold that typically pushes Vermont fish to spawning beds. No direct Champlain charter or shop reports reached this cycle's intel feeds, but regional New England freshwater signals point to building momentum: Fisherman's World (via The Fisherman — New England Freshwater) noted that largemouth and smallmouth action "keeps steadily improving" at comparable lake fisheries as water climbs from a cold spring, with shiners and Keitech-style swim baits leading the catch. Tactical Bassin's breakdown of top smallmouth producers for northern clear-water fisheries highlights covering water quickly during prespawn, when fish school on staging structure. Landlocked salmon remain a strong secondary target — the low 50s fall squarely in their comfort zone before the summer thermocline deepens. First Quarter moon this weekend should sharpen low-light feeding windows for both species.
Prime midge window opens early on CO tailwaters as low snowpack clears flows
Colorado Trout Hunters reported one of the best spring runs of migratory lake-run fish on the Dream Stream section of the South Platte in recent memory, with large fish drawing experienced anglers to this storied stretch between the reservoirs. USGS gauge 06701900 shows the South Platte flowing at 152 cfs as of early Sunday, a wading-friendly reading. Cutthroat Anglers' May update is frank about the bigger picture: Colorado snowpack is historically bad in 2026, and flows will drop and warm faster than normal once the modest melt window closes. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing noted the river has been waking up earlier than typical due to unseasonably warm temperatures, with reliable midge hatches already in play. For now, clear moderate flows favor technical nymphing and dry-dropper rigs across both the South Platte and Arkansas tailwaters, with AvidMax Blog's recent midge emerger and tailrace nymph patterns matching current conditions well.
Yellowstone cutthroat season opens amid strong late-May snowmelt flows
USGS gauge 06192500 logged the Yellowstone River corridor at 5,310 cfs and 52°F on May 24, the classic late-spring snowmelt signature that defines this region every year. At that flow, main-stem wading is limited to the most protected seams and back-eddies, but 52°F water is firmly in the prime feeding window for both Yellowstone cutthroat and brown trout. Hatch Magazine's timely piece on spring creek technique points anglers toward the right workaround: spring-fed tributaries and meadow channels off the main stem hold cleaner water and gentler flows during runoff and are typically carrying afternoon PMD and caddis activity right now. Flylords Mag's green drake coverage signals that this hatch is building across the Rocky Mountain corridor; the Yellowstone and Tetons drainage typically sees its own peak a few weeks behind lower-elevation streams as temperatures stabilize. Verify current Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton opening schedules before planning your trip.
South Fork of the Snake cresting on snowmelt ahead of prime cutthroat season
The USGS gauge on the Snake River near Irwin (site 13037500) recorded 13,600 cfs on the morning of May 24 — a robust snowmelt pulse typical for this stretch of the South Fork drainage heading into Memorial Day weekend. Water temperature was not captured in this reading. No regional reports from tackle shops, guides, or state outlets covered the Snake River or South Fork directly in this cycle, so current bite conditions reflect seasonal context rather than on-water testimony. At this flow stage, wading access is restricted to well-protected back channels and eddy lines; a drift boat opens up considerably more water. Cutthroat and rainbow trout are the primary target species on this system, and late-May conditions typically align with emerging caddis and PMD activity as daytime temperatures climb. Anglers should verify Idaho Fish and Game regulations before any harvest, as seasons and size limits vary by section.
Peak Runoff Pushes Bitterroot Trout to Edges as Flathead Lake Heats Up
USGS gauge 12372000 logged 24,600 cfs and 53°F at the close of May 23, a clear signal that peak snowmelt is in full swing across western Montana. At those flows, main-channel visibility on the Bitterroot drops sharply, and trout pile into soft water: undercut banks, back eddies, and slower side channels. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carry a direct Flathead Lake or Bitterroot report, so the picture here draws on gauge data and typical late-May patterns for the region. Hatch Magazine's current spring creek coverage reinforces the principle: when big water muddies the main seam, slow down and work the margins. On Flathead Lake itself, heavy inflows are stirring near-shore nutrients and concentrating cutthroat near creek mouths. Streamers and heavy attractor nymphs are the go-to tools right now; expect dry-fly windows to open as flows peak and begin their seasonal retreat.
Coho, Chinook, and Smallmouth Line Up for Indiana's Memorial Weekend Push
No current buoy readings are available for the Indiana shoreline this cycle; check local forecasts and wave heights before launching. That said, Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks one of the sharper fishing windows of the season along southern Lake Michigan. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report notes that 2024 produced record-setting coho and Chinook harvests across the lake: more than 210,000 coho and 160,000 Chinook, credited to strong alewife forage classes that continue to support stocked salmon numbers into 2026. Anglers on the Michigan Sportsman Forum are scheduling bay days and salmon trolling runs for the holiday stretch. Smallmouth bass are a secondary highlight: Tactical Bassin points to paddle-tail swimbaits as top producers for Great Lakes smallmouth in clear water during this prespawn-to-postspawn transition, with fish moving actively over nearshore structure as late-May water temps climb.
Salmon and smallmouth in season as Chicago's Lake Michigan enters late May
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's 2024 harvest data sets a strong backdrop for the 2026 spring season: Chinook salmon topped 160,000 fish, the most since 2012, while coho set an all-time record at more than 210,000 harvested. The DNR credited improving alewife year-classes for lifting stocked-salmon survival lake-wide, a recruitment tailwind that Chicago-area offshore trollers should feel this season. No NOAA buoy data was available for this update, so real-time surface temperatures are not on hand; Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant operates three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys deployed each spring, though no current readings were captured here. Based on typical late-May patterns for southern Lake Michigan, surface temps are likely in the upper 40s to low 50s, keeping salmon accessible at standard trolling depths. Smallmouth bass are on or wrapping the spawn along nearshore rocky structure on the Chicago lakefront. Yellow perch remain a reliable pier and breakwall target. Verify current lake conditions and Illinois bag limits before launching for the Memorial Day weekend.
Post-Spawn Walleye and Catfish Prime Up Through the Clinton-Dubuque Pools
USGS gauge 05420500 puts Upper Mississippi water temperature at 68°F with flows at 54,000 cfs this morning, placing the Clinton-Dubuque pools in peak late-spring transition. That temperature is squarely in the channel catfish feeding surge zone, while walleye fresh off the spawn are staging on wing dam eddies and current seams. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) flags "May Walleye Craziness" as a defining window right now, and AnglingBuzz (YT) is covering slip-bobber setups for big-water walleye that translate directly to pool conditions like these. Fishing the Midwest notes that larger rivers can be good year-round, with summer building momentum quickly. Direct on-water reports specific to this stretch are limited this week, so species assessments below are seasonally grounded estimates rather than confirmed bites. The first-quarter moon should support moderate evening feeding windows through the weekend.
Post-spawn bass and stripers prime for Memorial Day on Texoma and Eufaula
USGS gauge 07331600 logged a steady 44.5 cfs early Sunday, a low and stable inflow pointing to unflooded, clear conditions heading into Memorial Day weekend on Lake Texoma and Lake Eufaula. No significant mud pulse means both reservoirs should hold fishable clarity through the holiday. With water temperatures typical for late May in southern Oklahoma (gauge data returned no temp reading this cycle), the post-spawn window is open and shallow cover is productive. Wired 2 Fish highlights early morning and late evening as the prime topwater feeding window during this transition, with bass holding tight to grass, reeds, and dock edges. Tactical Bassin reinforces that frog and walking-bait presentations are gaining effectiveness as warm-water cover fills in. No local charter or tackle-shop reports were available this cycle, so specific bite accounts are seasonally inferred rather than sourced from on-water testimony. Check with local marinas near Denison or Eufaula before heading out.