Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
NorCal Salmon Season Surges as Upwelling Cools the Outer Coast
NOAA buoy 46026 is logging 50°F water along the SF Bay approach — squarely in the Chinook salmon comfort zone. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports a meaningful turnaround for the Central Coast salmon fishery: Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, notes that water temps dropped from 58°F to 54°F below Pigeon Point since the season opened April 11 — driven by sustained northwest winds triggering upwelling that has reshaped the water column. Allen Bushnell, reporting from Monterey for Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, puts it plainly: "Many of us almost forgot what is like to have a real salmon season along the Central Coast of California." Conditions are aligning. Striped bass continue their seasonal push through San Francisco Bay, and California halibut remain a realistic target on inshore flats as water temperatures hold in this productive range. Bottom-fishing for rockfish is viable at offshore structure while the upwelling column persists.
SoCal surf fishing heats up as corbina and leopard shark season arrives
Water temps at 63–64°F across the LA Bight — logged at NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221 — are signaling the seasonal transition surf anglers have been waiting for. According to Surf Fishing in So Cal, May 2026 "has delivered" after a mixed April, with conditions now "starting to come together in a big way" and potentially the best fishing of the season still ahead. Corbina and leopard sharks are the primary targets pulling surf casters to Southern California beaches this month, with sand crabs the go-to bait for corbina in the wash. Light winds around 3 m/s and a manageable 3-foot swell are keeping beach access comfortable. The waxing crescent moon is building tidal range through the coming week, which should sharpen morning and evening bite windows on the flats. Offshore on the Channel Islands, yellowtail and calico bass are seasonally on the table, though no specific fleet reports have come through this cycle — confirm with local landings before making the run.
UP brook trout in prime late-May window as spring runoff begins to ease
USGS gauge 04059500 recorded flows of 454 cfs as of May 19 — moderate-to-elevated spring levels consistent with a UP river still shedding seasonal snowmelt. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this period. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report did not yield specific bite conditions this cycle, leaving stream-level detail limited. On the Lake Superior front, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program has been tracking a growing whitefish angling fishery in Chequamegon Bay — a signal that whitefish are finding accessible nearshore structure across the lake's basin as spring conditions mature. For UP trout streams, late May is a seasonally productive window for brook trout and brown trout: flows are typically declining from peak, hatches are diversifying, and fish transition from tight holding lies into active feeding positions. Elevated flows may still favor streamer presentations and drifting nymphs through deep current seams over dry-fly work this week.
Saginaw Bay walleye and bass approach peak late-May window
With the bluegill spawn in full swing across Great Lakes-region fisheries — Tactical Bassin's recent on-water report documents bass moving aggressively into shallow heavy cover on topwater frogs — Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay are entering one of their most productive multi-species stretches of the year. Real-time sensor data returned no readings this cycle; USGS gauge 04157000 logged no flow or temperature, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report did not render readable content. Angler activity on Saginaw Bay was confirmed this week via Outdoor Hub, which reported a party launching from Gambill's Landing — a sobering reminder of the bay's weather volatility and the importance of checking forecasts before heading out. Fishing the Midwest points to slip-sinker live-bait rigs and jigs as the go-to for walleye exiting spawning reefs into early-summer feed lanes. With a waxing crescent moon and late May underway, post-spawn walleye on mid-bay flats and pre-spawn smallmouth along Lake Huron's rocky shoreline are the prime targets.
Late steelhead give way to smallmouth and walleye at the Grand River mouth
The Grand River is running 3,860 cfs as of May 19, per USGS gauge 04119000 — elevated for late May and pushing a turbidity plume into the Lake Michigan nearshore at Grand Haven. No water temperature was logged at the gauge this cycle. Angler reports for this stretch are thin; the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was unavailable. WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report notes that 2024 delivered record Lake Michigan coho catches (210,000+) and the best Chinook haul since 2012 (160,000+), suggesting a healthy forage base and strong cohort of fish now roaming the main lake. At the river mouth, elevated flow typically pushes late-run steelhead into the nearshore zone and concentrates walleye along the plume edge where baitfish stack against the current differential. Smallmouth bass — a growing management focus on northern Lake Michigan per WI DNR — are likely staging pre-spawn along rocky structure, a window Tactical Bassin (blog) flags as prime time for swimbaits and finesse presentations in clear Great Lakes shallows.
Late-May Post-Spawn Walleye Window Opens Across Lake Erie's Western Basin
NOAA buoy 45005 logged 59°F water temperatures in the western basin on May 20 — squarely in walleye's preferred 55–70°F feeding range. No charter or tackle-shop dispatches from the Western Basin appeared in this week's intel feeds, so conditions here are built from buoy readings, tributary flow, and seasonal context. At 59°F, post-spawn walleye typically push off shallow reef structure and suspend over mid-depth flats in 18–25 feet; Fishing the Midwest notes that slow-trolling crankbaits and spinner rigs become the high-percentage move once fish scatter post-spawn. The Sandusky River (USGS gauge 04193500) is running at 2,080 cfs — elevated spring discharge that may stain near-shore water and nudge fish toward cleaner offshore zones. Winds near 16 mph and 2-foot swells are manageable for experienced western basin boaters, though early-morning lulls typically offer the best trolling precision and the most productive bite windows.
Green Drakes and Sulphurs Building on PA Limestone as Late-May Window Opens
Spring Creek is flowing at 79.6 cfs (USGS gauge 01546500, May 19) — moderate and wading-friendly for the limestone trout fisheries of central Pennsylvania. No water temperature was logged at the gauge, but late May places both Spring Creek and Penns Creek squarely inside one of the most storied hatching windows on the East Coast. Flylords Mag's recent feature on green drake fishing puts the Ephemerella emergence from early May through late June on East Coast limestone streams — meaning both rivers are at or near the heart of that hatch right now. Gink and Gasoline's spring creek piece confirms sulphurs and Light Cahills typically arrive in late April through May, setting up the sulphur-and-drake overlap that keeps large brown trout active through long evening feeding windows. Flows are stable, clarity should be strong on these groundwater-fed streams, and Flylab's essay on trout midge preference is a useful reminder to keep midge pupae in the box for quiet midday hours between hatch peaks.
Allegheny Tailwaters Running Big: Fish Edges and Slack Water for Post-Spawn Bass
USGS gauge 03036500 clocked the Allegheny River at 15,000 cfs on the evening of May 19 — a notably elevated reading for late May that signals compressed fishing windows for the Pittsburgh tailwater stretch. No water temperature was logged at the gauge this cycle. With main-channel structure submerged and currents running heavy, smallmouth bass and walleye have likely retreated to eddies, wing dams, and tailrace pockets below the Allegheny's lock-and-dam staircase. No direct tackle-shop or guide reports for this specific reach were available this update. PA Fish & Boat Commission biologist reports, a primary benchmark for post-spawn activity in this district, offered no field notes this week. PA Sea Grant's December angler engagement workshop flagged Round Goby as a spreading invasive concern in Northwestern PA; anglers should confirm they're using compliant bait sources before heading out. With no corroborating local testimony, species outlooks below are inferred from gauge data and seasonal context — treat them as estimates, not confirmed reports.
Lake Erie walleye and smallmouth entering late-May prime on the PA shoreline
NOAA buoy 45005 recorded Lake Erie's central-basin water at 59°F early on May 20 — right at the threshold where walleye and smallmouth bass traditionally click into gear along the Pennsylvania shoreline and Presque Isle Bay. No charter-level or tackle-shop reports came through for the Erie PA stretch in this cycle, so conditions context leans on environmental data and seasonal patterns. Tactical Bassin's current Great Lakes smallmouth coverage highlights this exact window — clear, cool water during the prespawn-to-spawn transition — as one of the most productive of the year for the region, pointing to swimbaits and finesse presentations as top producers. Conneaut Creek (USGS gauge 04213000) held at a fishable 139 cfs, keeping tributary access open for any late-run steelhead stragglers. PA Sea Grant has flagged Round Goby as an active ongoing concern for Northwestern Pennsylvania Lake Erie waters; anglers moving bait between systems should be mindful of inadvertent spread.
Puget Sound Spring Chinook Season Opens Under Light Winds and Cool Skies
NOAA buoy 46041 recorded winds of 7 m/s with air temperatures near 52°F (11.5°C) before dawn on May 20, while inner-Sound buoy 46087 registered a calmer 3 m/s — a spread that points to manageable outer-coast swells and relatively calm conditions inside Puget Sound. Direct current-catch reports for WA saltwater are thin in today's data window; WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the agency actively tracks statewide creel activity, but no specific bite summaries were available at time of publication. Seasonally, mid-May is prime time for spring Chinook salmon in key Puget Sound waterways and along the outer coast, with the Pacific halibut fishery running concurrently. Nearshore anglers typically work lingcod and rockfish on structure throughout the spring. Conditions look favorable for small-boat outings, especially inside the Sound where winds are light. Confirm current retention rules with WDFW before targeting spring Chinook or halibut — season windows and slot limits shift frequently this time of year.
Spring Chinook and shad converge on the Columbia as late-May window opens
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 1,160 cfs and 58°F on the evening of May 19 — a temperature that puts the late leg of the spring Chinook push and the building American shad run squarely in play on the Columbia system. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel data and stocking updates, though specific bite conditions from this cycle were not available in our intel feeds. At 58°F, water sits firmly in the thermal zone where spring Chinook hold actively in transitional current edges and deeper tailouts before pushing further upriver. Smallmouth bass — a Columbia mainstay — typically go on the bite as temps clear the mid-50s, with rocky mid-river structure the natural starting point. Shad runs typically crest through late May and into June, making this a reliable light-tackle window in current breaks and eddies. Verify retention rules and access conditions with WA WDFW Fishing Reports before heading out, as spring Chinook regulations vary by reach and date.
Spring Stripers Stage at the Chesapeake Mouth as Migration Peaks
Water temps hit 59°F at NOAA buoy 44009 early this morning, placing the Chesapeake mouth squarely in the productive late-spring window for striped bass. Virginia DWR's spring rockfish report has biologists watching fish school along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds, with coastal fish holding tight to rocky shorelines and hard structure — classic staging behavior as post-spawn fish filter through the lower Bay. Per OTW Saltwater's May 19 migration update, the striper front has reached New England, with Long Island Sound loaded with big bass on bunker. Weakfish are beginning to show in nearby Northeast waters per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI), and the species typically reaches the lower Bay in late May. Cobia — a seasonal late-May arrival at the Bay mouth that no source has specifically confirmed this cycle — are worth scanning for as temps inch toward 62°F. A waxing crescent moon keeps tidal exchange moderate; focus on first light for the strongest bite windows.
Striper Run Meets Smallmouth Season on the Potomac and Shenandoah
The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog is spotlighting spring striped bass fishing across Virginia's tidal rivers, with rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines — the same structural patterns that define the tidal Potomac below the fall line. USGS gauge 01646500 at Little Falls recorded 2,300 cfs on the evening of May 19, a moderate spring pulse that keeps the main channel accessible without the suspended sediment of peak runoff. On the non-tidal Potomac and throughout the Shenandoah drainage, the story is smallmouth bass: Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing, a seasonal trigger that pushes big bass shallow into heavy cover and makes topwater the first call at first light. Wired 2 Fish notes post-spawn bass are beginning to school, meaning when you find fish, the action can be fast and sustained. The waxing crescent moon will amplify low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk across both systems over the coming days.
Red Snapper Season Opens as Redfish Bite Heats Up Along Texas Gulf Coast
Water temperatures hitting 80°F at NOAA buoy 42035 signal peak late-spring conditions along the Galveston-Corpus corridor. The headline: red snapper season has opened offshore, and the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report notes Galveston Party Boats' New Buccaneer returned with an excellent catch from the deep rigs — though crews dealt with drifting seaweed and heavy vessel traffic around the platforms. Inshore, redfish are drawing serious attention: the second leg of the Galveston Redfish Series ran May 9 with live video weigh-ins, and South Texas captains confirm the bite has been strong as air temps climb, per the same outlet. Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as an overlooked window for trophy speckled trout — those chasing a personal best still have a shot. The 37th annual CCA STAR Tournament begins Saturday, per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing, putting added pressure on bay slot reds. Wind has eased to around 13 mph per buoy 42035, giving inshore anglers a workable window after earlier rough conditions.
Red Drum Push and Expanded Snapper Season Hit Charleston's Spring Peak
Water at NOAA buoy 41004 has climbed to 76°F, placing Charleston Harbor squarely in its late-spring prime. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports red drum making a strong push onto Carolina beaches and nearshore shoals — from Hatteras south through the Cape Lookout area — a seasonal progression that typically arrives in South Carolina waters in its wake. Offshore, a significant new opportunity opens for 2026: South Carolina is included in the expanded red snapper exempted fishing permits for South Atlantic states, a pilot program that both Sport Fishing Mag and Saltwater Sportsman flag as a meaningful shift in recreational access. Meanwhile, Coastal Angler Magazine makes the case that May is one of the most underrated trophy speckled trout windows of the year, with less pressure and larger fish available to patient anglers who haven't moved on from the spring rush. A waxing crescent moon and moderate harbor winds provide workable conditions across inshore and nearshore zones.
Santee Cooper bass bite peaks ahead of Lake Murray's BFL All-American
Chris Johnston's dominant four-day, 113-pound-12-ounce victory at the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes — confirmed by B.A.S.S. News this week — signals the fishery is firing at an exceptional level as May closes out. The tournament's breakout lure was the Coike and other urchin-style baits, which B.A.S.S. News describes as the clear winning edge; anglers hitting the public water this weekend should expect those presentations to remain productive on post-spawn structure. USGS gauge 02160390 recorded flow at 117 cfs as of May 19 evening, indicating stable, manageable water conditions across the system. Lake Murray is poised for its own moment: MLF News reports the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American arrives May 28–30, drawing the nation's best grassroots tournament anglers to the reservoir. With the bluegill spawn in full swing, per Tactical Bassin, big largemouth are actively hunting shallow heavy cover — topwater frogs and walking baits have been the play for kicker fish in this window.
Big Stripers and Bluefish Charging Narragansett Bay's Spring Push
Water temps of 54–55°F (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44097) have Narragansett Bay on the cusp of a genuine breakout. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports the bay is "loaded with life" following the May new moon — big striped bass are crushing large baits across the state, tautog have come to life, and weakfish are starting to show in decent numbers. The Fisherman — Rhode Island corroborates the striper picture, with fish tracked up the bay on bunker schools and large bluefish pushing in last week, seen tailing on the surface. The Frances Fleet, reporting through The Fisherman — Rhode Island, ran productive fluke and squid trips — a solid pick of keepers Saturday morning before winds built, and a strong squid outing Friday night. Booked Off Charters, also in The Fisherman — Rhode Island, held off another week on charters but expects tautog and fluke to improve sharply as the thermometer climbs.
Post-spawn smallmouth and catfish on the move as Susquehanna warms
USGS gauge 01540500 clocked the Susquehanna at 67°F and 14,300 cfs as of Tuesday evening — a warm, elevated river running well above its typical late-May baseline. At 67°F, smallmouth bass have almost certainly completed their spawn on gravel bars and are now in the post-spawn feeding recovery phase, spreading across transitional mid-depth structure near current breaks. Channel and flathead catfish become increasingly active above 65°F, putting both species in a solid window right now. Direct angler reports from the Susquehanna and Allegheny are limited in this feed cycle, but Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is "in full swing" across mid-Atlantic bass waters — a classic topwater trigger that applies to Susquehanna backwaters and eddy pools. Wired 2 Fish recently highlighted finesse and tube-bait presentations for post-spawn smallmouth in clear northern fisheries, worth filing away for upper-river reaches once flows ease. PA Sea Grant flagged active Round Goby expansion in Northwestern PA — a concern for Allegheny tributaries. Check PA Fish & Boat — Biologist Reports for district-level detail.
Spring Chinook and halibut in play as Oregon Coast swell builds
At 57°F, our offshore water temperature readings from NOAA buoys 46002 and 46029 sit squarely in the productive window for spring Chinook salmon — even as a 6.6-foot swell at buoy 46002 is keeping smaller craft closer to port. Winds are running 6–8 m/s across all three monitored buoys, light to moderate but enough to sustain a building offshore swell. California's Central Coast is logging improved salmon fishing, with Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reporting that northwest-wind-driven upwelling cooled water temps near Monterey by four to five degrees, drawing Chinook into favorable feeding lanes. That same upwelling pattern typically extends north along the Pacific coast, and Oregon anglers may see similar benefits as the oceanographic signal spreads. Direct Oregon Coast charter and shop reports are sparse in the current feeds, but seasonal timing and water temperatures firmly favor spring Chinook and Pacific halibut as the primary targets this week.
Columbia Spring Chinook in Peak Window as Smallmouth Enter Post-Spawn
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 63°F and 17,700 cfs on the evening of May 19 — water temperatures that squarely bracket Columbia basin spring Chinook in their preferred feeding range and signal that smallmouth bass have finished or are near the end of their spawn. Direct on-water reports from the Columbia and Rogue were sparse in this week's feeds, but the gauge data paints an actionable picture. Wired 2 Fish highlights that western-fishery smallmouth respond well to search presentations like swimbaits and chatterbaits as they transition off beds — a tactic that translates directly to the Columbia's mid-river structure. At 63°F, spring Chinook holding in mainstem eddies and seam lines are likely in an active feeding mode; the waxing crescent moon and building light through the week can extend morning and evening bite windows. On the Rogue, early summer steelhead runs typically begin arriving in late May — check current ODFW retention rules before targeting them.
Red Drum Surge onto Hatteras Surf as Late-May Action Builds
Ryan of Hatteras Jack — per Fisherman's Post — reports the surf at Hatteras and Ocracoke has come alive with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches, with anglers catching good numbers across the stretch. NOAA buoy 41025 off Cape Hatteras logged an 80°F water temperature and 2.6-foot seas on May 20, pointing to warm, manageable nearshore conditions. Buoy 41013 to the south added a 76°F reading with slightly more chop at 3.3 feet. The bull drum showing extends into adjacent waters: Steve of Chasin' Tails (Fisherman's Post) reports schools of bull red drum working Cape Lookout shoals alongside good-sized bluefish. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that expanded 2026 red snapper seasons are now federally approved for North Carolina via exempted fishing permits — a significant development for OBX offshore anglers heading into Memorial Day weekend.
Post-spawn bass prowl heavy cover as Catawba drainage runs low
USGS gauge 02142900 recorded just 2.28 cfs in the Catawba drainage on the evening of May 19 — an extremely low flow reading that signals clear, slack conditions across the system. No water temperature data was available from the gauge. The low, clear water calls for finesse presentations and stealthy approaches near structure. Timing-wise, the post-spawn bass transition is fully underway, and Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing at comparable mid-latitude fisheries — a pattern that pulls big bass into heavy shallow cover to feed aggressively. Topwater walking baits and frog-style lures near mats, laydowns, and dock pilings have been the productive play at similar lakes this week. Crappie are staging off deeper structure post-spawn, responding to slow vertical presentations. On the Roanoke system, late May historically marks the close of the spring striper run as fish return to deeper, cooler water ahead of summer.
Long Island Striper Run at Peak as Fluke and Sea Bass Seasons Open
Water temps of 55–56°F at NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 aren't slowing the stripers down. The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore reports Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale called last week 'one for the books,' with solid schools of big bass working through South Shore bays and surf — find the birds and the bass are underneath. On the North Shore, Hi-Hook Bait and Tackle in Huntington reports stripers stacked around Eaton's Neck on trolled Mojo's, flutter spoons, and bunker chunks, while Cold Spring Charters is putting clients on fish to 44 inches. At Montauk, The Fisherman — Long Island East End notes steady slot fish and the occasional bruiser falling to diamond jigs and surface plugs. Tight Lines Tackle puts fish to 35 pounds in Shinnecock Inlet on bucktails. Fluke season is underway — Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport drilled nine keepers Saturday — and sea bass opened May 16 with weakfish making an early appearance in Peconic Bay.
Bass spawn peaks and stocked trout still firing in Hudson Valley & Finger Lakes
Water at 68°F (USGS gauge 01357500) puts the Hudson Valley squarely in the largemouth and smallmouth spawning window this week, with fish pressing into shallow gravel and woody structure. NY DEC The Fishing Line confirmed hatchery crews were actively rolling out spring trout stockings through late April — brook, brown, and rainbow trout from fresh plants are reachable in many tributaries, though warming main-stem temps will push holdover fish toward cooler inflows and spring holes. The Hudson is running elevated, with 2,480 cfs at the upper gauge (USGS 01357500) and 8,310 cfs at the lower crossing (USGS 01358000) — enough flow to concentrate stripers and trout in current seams and slack pockets behind structure. The Hudson striper season opened April 1 and inland walleye became legal May 1, per NY DEC, making this one of the busiest multi-species windows of the year. Shallow bass beds and active striper current breaks are the two most actionable setups heading into the weekend.