Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Erie smallmouth transition post-spawn as late-May warmth arrives
Water temps at 59°F per USGS gauge 04231600 mark the late-May transition across Western NY's Lake Erie and Niagara corridor. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes smallmouth breakdown identifies clear-water Erie-style fisheries as the prime moment for paddle-tail swimbaits and tube jigs, with bass moving off gravel spawning beds and turning aggressive on rocky nearshore structure. Walleye are scattering from post-spawn staging areas and settling into summer feeding patterns along mid-lake humps, where jig-and-minnow and bottom-bouncer rigs remain productive. Fishing the Midwest flags shallow flats as an underutilized spring target before warming water pushes fish deeper, a window still open across Erie's western basin right now. Yellow perch stay reliable on eastern basin reefs through late May. Tributary flow at 2,910 cfs at gauge 04231600 signals moderate runoff; check water clarity at your launch before committing to open-lake runs.
Green Drake Season Peaks on Catskills and Adirondack Trout Streams
Flylords Mag places the East Coast green drake hatch squarely between early May and late June, and late May is the prime window for Catskills and Adirondack trout streams. USGS gauges show the region carrying 229 cfs and 68.5 cfs as of May 23, both within wading reach with enough current to stack feeding fish along seams and outside bends. Water temperatures are not available from either gauge at this reading. For the pre-hatch hours, MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage highlights beaded dark nymphs for overcast, low-light conditions and sparse midge-style patterns for clear, selective water, both staples on technical Catskills limestone sections. Gink and Gasoline has noted that warm weather can push Sulphur and Light Cahill emergence ahead of their typical late-April-to-May schedule, so carry a full range of emerger sizes even if conditions look textbook. First Quarter moon extends productive twilight windows through late evening, when Catskills browns are most likely to commit to a dry.
Salmon on fire offshore as Lake Ontario's late-May bite peaks
Strike Zone Charters is reporting excellent salmon fishing on Lake Ontario this past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixing into the action. The productive zone sits in 100 to 160 feet of water; Mag Dipsey Divers are the go-to tool when the temperature layer pushes fish deep, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chips have been producing results. On the tributary side, the USGS gauge on the Salmon River (site 04250750) shows flow at 125 cfs as of May 24, a manageable level that should allow wade access in the lower river. Water temperature data was unavailable from gauges this cycle. With the First Quarter moon coinciding with this active offshore period, anglers targeting Lake Ontario's mixed trolling spread heading into Memorial Day weekend are in a solid window. The lake bite is clearly the headline story this week.
Wind River & North Platte trout ride out late-May runoff
Trout Unlimited's feature on the Wind River Reservation called out Wyoming's central drainage as prime angling habitat, a timely backdrop as late-May snowmelt pushes both the Wind River and North Platte into peak runoff. USGS gauge 06259000 returned no data at press time, so confirming current flows before launching is essential. Freestone mainstem stretches are almost certainly running high and turbid at this stage of snowmelt. Regulated tailwater sections below the major reservoirs are the smarter target right now; flows are managed there and water clarity holds even when surrounding tributaries blow out. Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage this season emphasizes slowing down and reading water carefully when conditions are off, advice that applies directly to the spring creeks and off-channel pockets that hold fish when main stems are pushing hard. Flylords Mag flagged green drake emergences as one of the season's marquee hatches, and as runoff recedes the Wind River and North Platte drainages will move into their prime dry fly buildup.
Late-May Walleye Push Heats Up Across Wisconsin Waters
Wisconsin's general fishing season, open since May 2 per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News, is hitting its stride in the final week of May. The Wisconsin River is reading 666 cfs at USGS gauge 05391000, a moderate, workable flow that keeps walleye concentrated on current edges and rocky structure rather than scattered into flooded cover. Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been documenting this stretch as 'May Walleye Craziness,' pointing to active post-spawn feeding in shallower zones, while AnglingBuzz has covered shallow walleye tactics alongside Lake Superior-specific patterns. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing reports the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery has grown into a popular open-water target the DNR is now formally managing. Fishing the Midwest identifies jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs as the go-to walleye presentations at this stage of the season. First Quarter moon conditions this weekend favor active feeding at dawn and dusk across all three target species.
New River smallmouth in prime post-spawn feeding mode ahead of Memorial Day
The New River is flowing at 2120 cfs as of early Sunday morning per USGS gauge 03051000 — a moderate, workable level that keeps the river in solid shape heading into the Memorial Day weekend. No water temperature data was available from the gauge; late May on the New River typically places water in the low-to-mid 60s°F range, right where post-spawn smallmouth feed most aggressively off structure. Tactical Bassin's recent breakdown of post-spawn bass tactics documents how fish transition from bed-guarding to active, reaction-bite feeding, with paddle-tail swimbaits and chatterbaits the top tools for covering water efficiently in changing conditions. A Wired 2 Fish feature from pro angler Justin Lucas reinforces that early mornings and late evenings are the key topwater windows, working a loud, aggressive presentation quickly over shallow cover near docks, reeds, and grass edges. With the First Quarter moon building toward full, evening feeding activity is strengthening through the week — timing that lines up well for a productive weekend.
Late-May Window Opens for Spring Kings and Halibut Across Washington Coast
Northwest winds at 7 m/s off NOAA buoy 46041 and 4 m/s at buoy 46087 this morning signal calm-to-moderate offshore conditions, with air temperatures hovering in the low 50s°F along the Washington coast. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both buoy stations this cycle. The WA WDFW Fishing Reports page confirms active statewide creel monitoring across state waters, though this feed returned no specific current catch summaries from Puget Sound or Pacific coast access sites. Seasonal norms for late May in this region point squarely to spring Chinook salmon as the marquee Puget Sound target, with Pacific halibut season underway along the outer coast and lingcod and rockfish rounding out the bottomfish card. First Quarter moon this week produces moderate tidal exchange — a favorable setup for both salmon mooching and halibut drifts. Verify current season dates, retention limits, and any emergency closures with WA WDFW before launching, as Puget Sound salmon rules can change on short notice.
Columbia transition: bass and shad move in as spring Chinook season winds down
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 1,120 cfs and 61°F on the evening of May 23, placing conditions at the seasonal crossover point on the Columbia system. Spring Chinook, which typically peak through April and early May on Columbia tributaries, are winding toward the close of their run at these temperatures, while warm-water species are moving into more active summer patterns. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel surveys and stocking data, though specific on-water conditions from Columbia and Puget Sound river corridors were not detailed in this reporting cycle. Smallmouth bass in the mid-Columbia's rocky reaches are typically at their most responsive once water tops 60°F, and the American shad run on the Columbia tends to crest between late May and mid-June -- both windows appear on track given current readings. Confirm emergency closures and hatchery-mark requirements with WA WDFW before targeting salmon or steelhead, as regulations can shift quickly at this point in the season.
Rockfish Active at Chesapeake Mouth as Spring Run Peaks Before Memorial Day
Water temperature sitting at 57°F per NOAA buoy 44009 early this morning frames an encouraging late-May window at the Chesapeake mouth. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog has published a dedicated spring striped bass field report with biologists documenting rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines throughout Virginia's tidal waters. Fish are keying on hard structure that earned them the local 'rockfish' name. Regionally, On The Water's Striper Migration Map (May 22) confirms the spring run is tracking a lunar-driven building phase, and The Fisherman (Northeast) reports a push of 20- to 30-pound stripers up the coast that observers describe as among the stronger quality runs in recent years. Weakfish are beginning to show regionally per Saltwater Edge Blog, and bluefish are pressing into the mid-Atlantic from the north. The waxing First Quarter moon sets up solunar peaks over the coming week, timing perfectly with the Memorial Day weekend.
Shenandoah smallmouth prime up as Potomac stripers close out their spring run
Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report confirms rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds across the state's tidal rivers; the lower Potomac's freshwater-tidal transition zone is a prime intercept point late in the season. A historic southeastern drought documented by the Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog has trimmed regional flows; USGS gauge 01646500 shows the Potomac at 7,990 cfs, and lower, clearer water on the Shenandoah's limestone runs typically benefits smallmouth bass anglers working crayfish patterns and soft plastics along gravel bars. Per On The Water's May 22 striper migration map, the spring run moves in peaks and valleys keyed to moon phases; with the First Quarter moon arriving this weekend, a short-lived uptick in striper activity is plausible before the run winds down. Focus on early-morning windows before afternoon heat sets in, and check Virginia regs before targeting stripers above the fall line.
Shad Push North as Bass Settle into Spawn on the Upper Connecticut
The USGS gauge 01135300 registered 55.3 cfs on the upper Connecticut River watershed at its early-morning read on May 24, a low, clear-water mark that opens wade-fishing options on Vermont tributary streams. No water temperature data is available from this cycle. The closest regional intel comes from The Fisherman's New England Freshwater correspondents: Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown reports shad and carp moving through the Connecticut River corridor this week, with largemouth bass now locked into spawn mode and described as decidedly trickier than prespawn. Rod Teehan connected with brook and rainbow trout over deep water in western Massachusetts on May 13, suggesting Vermont trout are similarly staged on cooler thermal pockets as surface temps climb. Fisherman's World reports smallmouth bass action is steadily improving as water temperatures trend upward. On Lake Champlain, no direct source reports landed this cycle; conditions there reflect seasonal expectation rather than fresh on-water testimony.
Green River tailwater enters its late-May sweet spot for trout
USGS gauge 09234500 recorded the Green River at 1,240 cfs and 51°F on May 23, a moderate, fishable tailwater reading that places conditions squarely in the trout's preferred late-spring feeding range. No angler-intel sources in this week's data directly covered the Green River or Uinta region, so this report draws primarily on gauge readings and seasonal patterns typical for the area. At 51°F, brown and rainbow trout along the tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam should be actively feeding throughout the day. MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday highlighted midge-style patterns suited to "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," precisely the conditions found in this stretch. Up in the Uinta Mountains, high-elevation lakes are approaching or just past ice-off by late May; cutthroat and brook trout action builds steadily into June as surface temperatures climb. Waders should use caution at 1,240 cfs: drift boats are the more comfortable option at this level.
Eagle Mountain blue cats on fire as North Texas lake rises to full pool
North Texas Catfish Guide is reporting exceptional blue catfish action on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, with fresh inflows carrying the reservoir to nearly full pool. Per North Texas Catfish Guide, rising lake levels are triggering aggressive feeding: crews are landing limits of big blue catfish, with 30-plus-pound fish showing up on multiple trips through late May. Channel catfish are active alongside them in the main lake. LakeForkGuy's recent content points to a post-spawn crappie bite ramping up across Texas impoundments, described as among the most aggressive of the year. USGS gauge 08211200 recorded a flow of 157 cfs as of May 23, reflecting moderate freshwater movement in the system. With the First Quarter moon overhead and late-May metabolism on the rise, most freshwater species statewide are in an active pre-summer feeding mode. Early morning and late evening windows offer the best action on shallow presentations.
Post-Spawn Bass Running Strong Across Tennessee Reservoirs
Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass actively feeding on Lake Chickamauga, with angler Tim targeting fish through swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations across varying water clarity. At the clear-water end of the lake, light finesse rigs drew deliberate bites; in the murkier upstream sections, power fishing with reaction baits triggered aggressive fish. That dual-condition approach is worth keeping in mind across Tennessee and Cumberland basin reservoirs as late-May post-spawn fish scatter off beds and push toward adjacent cover. The Cumberland River at Nashville is reading 1,380 cfs per USGS gauge 03434500, a moderate and fishable flow that should keep river catfish accessible without pushing bass far off their post-spawn staging edges. Kentucky Lake's recent Bassmaster Open produced a 62-pound, 2-ounce three-day winning bag (per B.A.S.S. News), confirming fish quality across west Tennessee waters remains strong heading into the Memorial Day weekend.
Missouri River walleye and Black Hills smallmouth prime up for late May
USGS gauge 06440200 logged a near-zero flow reading as of May 23, with no water temperature on record — a data gap that limits gauge reliability this cycle; anglers should verify conditions locally before launching. Regional intel provides the clearest picture available this week: Jason Mitchell Outdoors documents an active "May walleye craziness" phase and productive shallow-trolling windows across upper Great Plains fisheries, patterns that translate directly to South Dakota's Missouri River reservoir chain. AnglingBuzz reinforces that slip-bobber rigs are a high-percentage walleye technique right now. For Black Hills waters, Tactical Bassin highlights late May as a prime window for smallmouth in clear northern fisheries, with paddle-tail swimbaits covering water quickly in the post-spawn transition. Hatch Magazine's spring creek coverage this week points toward selectively feeding trout as flows settle. No South Dakota-specific tackle-shop, charter, or state agency reports arrived this cycle; confidence in on-the-ground conditions is moderate — a local bait-shop call before launch is worth the two minutes.
Inshore Drum Action Heats Up as Charleston Harbor Warms to Summer
NOAA Buoy 41004 logged 78°F water off the South Carolina coast this weekend, putting Charleston Harbor's inshore drum fishing in peak range. While direct captain reports from Charleston are not in this cycle, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater documents bull red drum actively pushing onto nearshore structure throughout the Carolinas this month, a movement that typically extends south into SC waters by late May. Salt Strong's current coverage reinforces the pattern, with detailed footage of black drum stacking against bridge pilings and redfish working oyster-bar edges. Both scenarios play out daily around Charleston's harbor structure. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports that South Carolina is part of the expanded 2026 South Atlantic red snapper EFP season. Coastal Angler Magazine flagged a federal court action that created uncertainty just before the opener, so verify current SCDNR and federal regs before making the offshore run. Light winds and 3.3-foot swell keep offshore conditions workable.
Post-Spawn Largemouth Draw Tournament Fields to Lake Murray and Santee Cooper
MLF News confirms the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American is bound for Lake Murray, putting one of South Carolina's premier largemouth fisheries in the national spotlight at a prime post-spawn juncture. The three-day tournament offers up to $120,000 to the winning boater and a REDCREST 2027 berth, a format that only works when organizers trust the bite. B.A.S.S. News reports the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series is staging its third stop of 2026 at Santee Cooper Lakes on May 30-31, keeping the broader Santee system in competitive play simultaneously. USGS gauge 02160390 recorded a moderate 1,100 cfs flow on May 23; no water temperature was captured at that station, though late-May levels in this region typically sit in the low-to-mid 70s°F. With the spawn wrapping up across both impoundments, bass are in post-spawn scatter mode. Striped bass, crappie, and catfish assessments below reflect typical late-May seasonal patterns for the region rather than direct on-the-water reports.
Big stripers and bluefish push into Narragansett Bay as spring run accelerates
Water temps of 54 to 55°F, confirmed by NOAA buoys 44085 and 44097 early Sunday, are finally delivering the spring bite Narragansett Bay anglers have been waiting for. Per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI)'s May new moon forecast, big bass are crushing big baits all over the state, the tautog bite has come to life, and weakfish are starting to show in decent numbers. The Fisherman (Rhode Island) adds further detail: the Saltwater Edge shop reports large bluefish moved into the bay last week, many tailing on the surface, while striped bass action is strongest around bunker schools. The Frances Fleet has been picking up a steady run of fluke keepers on the grounds and logged a strong squid trip Friday night. The Fisherman (Northeast) put a broader exclamation point on the season, flagging the spring striper push as one of the strongest in years, with 20-to-30-pound fish the likes of which anglers have not seen in many years.
Susquehanna Smallmouth Shifting to Post-Spawn Mode as Rivers Warm
USGS gauge 01540500 logged the Susquehanna River at 12,200 cfs and 64°F just after midnight Sunday — water temperatures firmly in the zone where smallmouth bass wrap up the spawn and begin aggressive post-spawn feeding. No charter or tackle-shop dispatches from central or western PA appeared in this reporting cycle, so specific bite testimony is limited. PA Sea Grant's recent community outreach in Meadville centered on the invasive Round Goby's spread through the Allegheny watershed, a signal worth flagging for northwestern PA river anglers. One member of The Fly Fishing Forum reported returning from Kettle Creek — a Susquehanna tributary — calling the trip a blast with fishing "always great," though that reads as angler chatter without independent corroboration. Based on current temperature and seasonal timing, smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish should all be in active feeding windows across both river systems. For the most current localized bite data, check the PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports.
Spring Chinook Push Underway as Cool Upwelling Grips the Oregon Shelf
NOAA buoys 46002 and 46029 are logging 56–57°F off the Oregon Coast this morning, with offshore winds running 7–10 m/s — classic signatures of active late-spring upwelling along the Pacific Northwest shelf. Angler-specific reports from Oregon's coastal waters are limited in this reporting cycle, but Western Outdoor News — Saltwater provides a useful neighboring signal: Chinook salmon fishing off California's Central Coast improved markedly once northwest winds drove a four-to-five-degree water-temperature drop through upwelling, with captains there noting a clear turnaround in bite activity. Those same coastal wind and upwelling dynamics appear to be at play along Oregon's shelf right now. For late May on the Oregon Coast, spring Chinook traditionally headline the agenda, joined by nearshore rockfish and lingcod over deeper rocky structure. Shore anglers should find surfperch active in the wash at these water temperatures. Verify zone-specific season windows with current state regulations before targeting salmon or bottomfish.
Late-May Warmth Puts Smallmouth in Play on Oregon's Columbia and Rogue
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 65°F and 16,000 cfs on the evening of May 23 — readings that frame a classic late-spring transition on Oregon's Columbia and Rogue systems. Water this warm marks the upper edge of spring Chinook comfort, typically signaling the final push of that run through the main stems. The same warmth is a green light for smallmouth bass, which thrive in rocky mid-river structure once temperatures settle into the low-to-mid 60s. Direct bite reports from charter captains or tackle shops on these rivers are absent from this reporting cycle; IFish.net Fishing Reports activity for Oregon this week skewed toward lost-gear notices rather than actual bite news. We're reading conditions primarily off the gauge and well-established late-May benchmarks for this region. At 16,000 cfs, current is strong enough to concentrate fish in back-eddies and slack-water seams, and wading the main stem at this level is not advisable.
Post-spawn bass peak at Eufaula as Red River holds moderate flow
USGS gauge 07247500 logged 1,410 cfs on the Red River system on May 23, reflecting moderate late-spring flow that positions catfish in channel bends and current seams across the system. No water temperature was available from the gauge, though late-May conditions in eastern Oklahoma typically place impoundments like Lake Eufaula well into the post-spawn recovery window for largemouth bass. Wired 2 Fish highlights that low-light topwater around shallow cover — grass edges, reeds, and dock lines — remains productive during early mornings and evenings, even as midday fish retreat to deeper structure. For anglers working Eufaula's post-spawn flats, Tactical Bassin's recent Lake Chickamauga coverage points to swimbaits and chatterbaits in stained water and finesse presentations in clearer pockets. On the Red River, blue and flathead catfish are stacking in slack-water holes and hard-bottom transitions as late-spring flows hold steady. The First Quarter moon supports building feeding pressure into the coming week.
Smallmouth and walleye shifting gears as Lake Erie enters post-spawn season
Fishing the Midwest's spring angler coverage highlights slow-trolling for walleyes and shallow-water sessions for crappies and bass as the go-to playbook heading into late May across the Upper Midwest, a pattern that maps directly onto Lake Erie's western basin and Ohio River tributaries. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth content this week zeros in on clear-water bait selection, with paddle tail swimbaits and low-light topwater presentations cited as top producers for big fish on northern fisheries. No live USGS data returned for Ohio River gauge 03271601 this cycle, and no buoy readings are available for Lake Erie, so water temperature and river stage are unconfirmed — verify current conditions locally before launching. No Ohio-specific charter or shop reports are in this week's data feeds. Based on seasonal timing, Erie's walleye and smallmouth are likely in the early post-spawn transition, moving from shallow staging areas toward open-water and mid-depth structure as late-May surface temps climb.
Post-Spawn Walleye Firing on Red and Missouri Rivers
Water temperatures at 58°F on the Red River of the North (USGS gauge 05054000, recorded May 23) signal the prime post-spawn walleye feeding window. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is headlining this moment as 'May Walleye Craziness,' with content from North Dakota waters including Devils Lake showing aggressive walleye behavior. Guide Jason Freed of AnglingBuzz is dialing in slip bobber rigs and big-water walleye presentations for exactly this seasonal window. The Red River is flowing at 751 cfs, a moderate fishable level that keeps current seams and wing dam structure within reach. On the Missouri drainage, channel catfish and northern pike round out the opportunity as warming water drives predator feeding. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers through summer can deliver outstanding action, particularly on shallow flats with a casting approach. With a First Quarter moon building, dawn-to-midmorning and dusk windows should favor active walleye bites through the Memorial Day weekend.