Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Spring flows peak on the Yakima as Eastern WA trout and bass season deepens
USGS gauge 12484500 recorded the Yakima River at 1,870 cfs on the morning of May 19 — elevated spring runoff consistent with late-season Cascade snowmelt, but not yet in blown-out territory. No water temperature was logged at the gauge. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes that the department regularly stocks fish in lakes and streams statewide this time of year, supplementing Eastern WA's wild-trout fisheries. Region-specific bite reports from Yakima Canyon or Spokane-area waters are limited in current feeds, but the seasonal setup is compelling: late May historically marks the best pre-summer trout window on the Yakima before flows drop and water warms, while post-spawn smallmouth bass on Columbia system tributaries typically enter an aggressive recovery-and-feed phase through this period. A waxing crescent moon tonight supports active feeding windows at dawn and dusk across Eastern WA warmwater and coldwater fisheries alike.
Spring Chinook prime window opens as Olympic Peninsula flows ease
USGS gauge 12041200 recorded 970 cfs and gauge 12035000 logged 703 cfs as of mid-morning May 19 — moderate flows consistent with late-spring conditions as snowmelt runoff winds down across the Olympic Peninsula drainages. No water temperature was available at either site this morning. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks angler activity statewide through creel interviews but has not published a region-specific Olympic Peninsula salmon-river update this week, and no guide or tackle-shop intel is available from this cycle's feeds. Against that backdrop, conditions are assessed against seasonal norms: mid-May is historically the heart of the spring Chinook season on these systems, with fish moving actively through the mainstem as flows settle below the 1,500 cfs threshold. A waxing crescent moon on May 19 provides low-light morning hours that typically concentrate salmon movement near structure and along current seams. Summer steelhead are beginning to stage and enter the lower mainstem as well. Verify current retention rules and any emergency closures with WDFW before launching — Olympic Peninsula Chinook seasons carry specific window and retention restrictions.
Gags, Scamps, and Tarpon Heat Up the Florida Panhandle
Water temps at 76°F (NOAA buoy 42012) have the Destin–Pensacola corridor in prime late-spring shape. Coastal Angler Magazine calls May the peak window for gag grouper and scamp, urging anglers to target ledges, rock outcrops, and wrecks wherever cigar minnows and sardines are stacked — when bait and structure converge, grouper action is immediate. Tarpon are also fully in play: Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report flags big Silver King action across Florida, signaling the Panhandle's pass-and-beach tarpon run is well underway. Inshore, Coastal Angler Magazine labels May an underrated stretch for trophy speckled trout, with a narrow but productive window remaining before summer heat disperses bigger fish off the flats. Light winds of 4–5 m/s (NOAA buoys 42039 and 42012) are keeping offshore access clean, and a waxing crescent moon supports moderate tidal movement — favorable conditions across multiple fisheries this week.
Snook Season Peaks at Boca Grande as Jacks Flood Sarasota Bay
Water temps holding at 79–80°F across the Gulf, confirmed by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013, have pushed the Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore bite into high gear. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters notched a new boat record on May 9th — a 34-pound-4-ounce Snook at Boca Grande — and notes that May is flat-out prime time for the species as fish move toward pre-spawn staging areas. Capt. Chuck Cress of CB's is reporting consistent Redfish action, with multiple upper-slot fish landed and released alongside Trout on a recent outing. Jack Crevalle have flooded Sarasota Bay, per CB's Saltwater Outfitters, schooling near the surface around oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — early morning topwater poppers and fast-retrieved jigs are the ticket. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is flagging big Tarpon action across Florida, right on schedule for the late-May migration window building through the region.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Peaks as Blackfins Flood Keys Offshore Waters
ALL IN Key West reports mutton snappers 'chewing like crazy' around the recent full moon, with yellowtail snappers described as 'practically jumping in the boat' — a clear signal the annual snapper spawn cycle is firing across the reef. On the Gulf side, the same charter logged grouper, cobia, kingfish, and barracuda, reporting the bite 'was bananas.' Sport Fishing Mag confirms May through July is peak blackfin tuna season off South Florida, with fish flooding offshore waters from the Keys to Palm Beach, reachable on live bait, kite rigs, or trolling. Current winds at NOAA buoys SMKF1 (Sombrero Key) and SANF1 (Sand Key) are running 15–16 mph with air temps near 78–81°F. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is flagging big tarpon action across Florida, right on cue for the May migration. With the waxing crescent moon building toward next month's full moon, we're seeing conditions that should keep both the flats and offshore highly productive in the weeks ahead.
Chinook salmon surge as NorCal coastal waters cool into prime range
Water temperatures at NOAA buoy 46026 registered 51°F on May 19, and that chill is working in salmon anglers' favor. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that Half Moon Bay boats have found vastly improved Chinook conditions below Pigeon Point since water temps dropped from 58°F at the April 11 opener down to 54°F — Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady noted the water 'looks different' in the cooler band and called the shift significant. Our buoy readings, running a few degrees colder still, suggest the upwelling push has continued to press north into the SF Bay approaches and the Bodega corridor. Bonito that appeared briefly during the warmer early-season window have since moved off with the temperature drop, per the same Western Outdoor News report. In the Bay proper, striped bass and California halibut are typical late-May targets, though no specific Bay-side field reports were available this cycle — local tackle shops remain your best source for current Bay conditions.
Bluefin push within range as SoCal surf bite hits its stride
Water temps checked in at 64°F at both NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221 on May 19, setting the stage for what Western Outdoor News — Saltwater describes as an 'extensive' spread of tuna southwest of San Diego—bluefin, yellowfin, and even a rare albacore already in the mix. The offshore action is running ahead of schedule: WON reporter Merit McCrea notes warm water is pushing fish unusually close, with two- and three-day trips already finding yellowtail and dorado farther south. Inshore, Surf Fishing in So Cal reports May has 'delivered' after a mixed April, with the surf bite coming together across Southern California beaches. Corbina and leopard sharks are the surf headliners as the season finds its rhythm. Conditions look cooperative—light winds of around 4 mph and 2.6-foot swell keep both offshore runs and the surf zone fishable. A waxing crescent moon keeps nights dark, favoring daytime bite windows.
Lake Superior North Shore walleyes hit their late-May stride
USGS gauge 04015330 is logging 214 cfs on a North Shore tributary as of May 19, indicating moderate, fishable flows as late-spring runoff gradually tapers. AnglingBuzz recently released a Lake Superior segment covering shallow-water walleye and sturgeon tactics — well-timed given that Minnesota's walleye season is open and post-opener fish have had time to settle into predictable structure along tributary mouths and rocky nearshore reefs. Tactical Bassin identifies Great Lakes smallmouth as firmly in prespawn mode this time of year, schooled on rocky points and shallow gravel flats in clear water — a description that fits the North Shore's cobble-and-granite shoreline precisely. On the Wisconsin side of the same lake, WI DNR is actively managing a growing lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay, underscoring healthy ecosystem conditions across the broader Lake Superior basin. The waxing crescent moon keeps ambient light low after sunset, which should extend walleye feeding windows into early evening.
UP Trout Streams Settling into Late-Spring Range as Lake Superior Whitefish Draw Regional Interest
The Ontonagon River (USGS gauge 04059500) was logging 441 cfs as of May 19 — a moderate late-spring flow indicating snowmelt is largely subsiding and UP trout streams are trending toward prime wading conditions. No water temperature data is available from the gauge this week; UP tributaries typically run in the upper 40s to low 50s°F by mid-May, cold enough to keep brook trout feeding actively through afternoon hatch windows. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has documented sharply growing angling enthusiasm for lake whitefish in the Chequamegon Bay corridor — with the agency hosting a formal management meeting in March 2026 to address the surge — a trend that tracks across the southern Lake Superior basin and carries implications for Michigan UP shoreline anglers. AnglingBuzz recently covered shallow-water Lake Superior tactics centered on walleye and sturgeon, signaling that nearshore action is building. Brook trout remain the UP's signature late-May quarry, with fish expected in pocket water and tailout seams as afternoon caddis activity intensifies.
Walleye peak and coho beginning to stir on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay
Michigan Sea Grant has just launched a new nine-project research initiative that specifically tracks seasonal movements and populations of smallmouth bass in Saginaw Bay — bringing high-trust scientific attention to a species that late-May Great Lakes anglers know well. With USGS gauge 04157000 returning no readings this cycle and no NOAA buoy data available, conditions must be read through angler intel and the calendar rather than hard numbers. On the Michigan Sportsman Forum, a post from Harbor Beach on Lake Huron's Thumb notes two spring coho salmon in hand, with the angler expecting full-blown coho season within a couple of weeks — treat that as encouraging directional chatter, not confirmed charter testimony. Late May is historically prime time on Saginaw Bay, with walleye moving onto post-spawn feeding flats and smallmouth staging toward their own spawn. One urgent safety note: Outdoor Hub reports that three members of the Whitmer family died when their boat capsized on Saginaw Bay. Check wind and wave forecasts, file a float plan, and wear your PFD.
Post-spawn bass and coho active at the Grand River mouth
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report flagged the 2024 season as a landmark year — a record 210,000-plus coho and 160,000 Chinook salmon harvested across the lake, the strongest Chinook showing since 2012. That productive stocking class sets the table for 2026 nearshore action. At the Grand River mouth near Grand Haven, USGS gauge 04119000 recorded the river at 3,760 cfs on May 19, a moderate spring flow sustaining a visible baitfish-holding plume without significant sediment load. Smallmouth bass are exiting the spawn; Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is underway in Great Lakes shallows, drawing post-spawn bass back to aggressive feeding on nearby rocky and sandy structure. Near-pier coho trolling typically strengthens through late May as the lake surface begins to stratify. No local charter or shop intel was available for this specific window — conditions here are grounded in the regional data at hand and seasonal patterns typical for late May on southern Lake Michigan.
Western Basin walleye enter post-spawn feed as Lake Erie warms
NOAA buoy 45005 logged Lake Erie water temperature at 59°F on May 19 — right in the range where post-spawn walleye in the Western Basin typically shift from recovery to active feeding. The USGS gauge (04193500) in the Sandusky River drainage recorded 2,040 cfs, a moderate spring flow that can push plume-edge turbidity into nearshore zones, historically a walleye ambush lane. Winds around 15 mph at the buoy add a light chop that tends to scatter baitfish and keep walleye active through midday rather than confining the bite strictly to low-light windows. No Western Basin charter or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so bite intensity is inferred from environmental readings and mid-May seasonal norms. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs remain dependable walleye producers through the post-spawn transition — presentations worth having ready as fish scatter from staging areas and push toward midlake structure.
Green drakes on deck as prime hatch season opens on PA limestone streams
Flylords Mag reports that green drakes — the East Coast's most celebrated mayfly emergence — begin appearing from early May through late June, placing Spring Creek and Penns Creek squarely in the opening window. USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 79.6 cfs on the afternoon of May 19, indicating moderate flows suitable for wading most public sections. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge; mid-May limestone spring creeks in central PA historically run in the 52–58°F range — ideal for wild brown trout activity. Flylords Mag separately flags that the Mid-Atlantic is currently under severe drought stress, a condition worth monitoring as it could push late-May flows lower than normal. With a waxing crescent moon setting early this week, evening dry-fly windows carry the benefit of low ambient light — historically productive timing for Penns Creek's famously hatch-focused crowds.
Allegheny running high as post-spawn smallmouth seek slack water
USGS gauge 03036500 logged 15,100 cfs on the Allegheny as of May 19 — elevated flow that reshapes where fish hold across the Pittsburgh-area tailwaters. No water temperature was available from the gauge this cycle. Direct local angler reports for this corridor were absent from this week's intel feeds; the PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports page returned only site navigation with no current regional writeup. With flows this high, expect smallmouth and sauger to vacate main-channel current seams and compress into wing-dam pockets, eddy lines, and tributary confluences. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass coverage this week notes that transitional bass school predictably once you find them — one fish typically signals more nearby. PA Sea Grant flagged an active Round Goby monitoring effort in northwestern PA waterways; anglers are encouraged to report any sightings. A Waxing Crescent moon sets up low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Verify conditions before launching.
Spring Chinook and Halibut Windows Open as WA Waters Settle
NOAA buoy 46087 recorded 8.9-foot wave heights on May 19, keeping Pacific-side anglers close to sheltered water or pushing boats into Puget Sound for the time being. Air temps sit in the low 50s°F at both coastal stations; no buoy-reported water temperatures were available this cycle. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors statewide conditions, though no specific bite data surfaced in this week's feed. Ecosystem context from WA Sea Grant is encouraging: Pacific tomcod — a key forage species — turned up in Grays Harbor monitoring traps as recently as fall 2025, pointing to a healthy food web heading into the spring season. For Puget Sound anglers, late May is typically prime time for the spring Chinook run, while Pacific coast boats eyeing halibut and lingcod are watching the swell window closely. Light winds at buoy 46041 (4 m/s) suggest conditions may moderate mid-week, opening a brief but worthwhile offshore opportunity.
Rockfish stack on Virginia tidal structure as spring striper run peaks
Water temps of 59°F at NOAA buoy 44009 anchor a productive stretch for striped bass at the Chesapeake mouth this week. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog devoted its latest fishing report to spring striped bass action across Virginia's tidal rivers, noting that rockfish — the local name for stripers — are schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines throughout the tidal system. The seasonal timing is on point: per OTW Saltwater's May 19 migration update, the spring striper push has extended all the way to Maine, placing the heart of the migration squarely in Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake waters right now. Winds running around 18 mph per buoy 44009 will raise some chop in exposed areas but shouldn't shut down inshore structure fishing near the bay mouth. Summer flounder and black sea bass round out the menu for anglers looking to target multiple species on a single trip.
Spring Stripers and Post-Spawn Smallmouth Drive Late-May Potomac Action
The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report finds rockfish actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds in Virginia's tidal rivers — a pattern that extends into the lower tidal Potomac. The USGS gauge at Little Falls (01646500) logged 2,160 cfs on May 19, indicating moderate, fishable main-stem flows. No water temperature was available from the gauge. With late May and the waxing crescent moon providing low-light feeding windows, smallmouth bass on the upper Potomac and Shenandoah are wrapping up the spawn and transitioning into post-spawn recovery, staging in rocky current seams and eddies. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing — a reliable trigger for both largemouth and smallmouth stacking near shallow wood and grass. Catfish remain seasonally active in deeper main-stem pools. Check current Virginia DWR size and creel limits before keeping striped bass from tidal reaches.
Bassmaster Elite validates Santee Cooper's red-hot post-spawn largemouth bite
The just-concluded Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes delivers a clear verdict on conditions: Chris Johnston won with 113 pounds, 12 ounces over four days — a performance that confirms Santee's largemouth fishery is locked in its most productive post-spawn window of the year, per B.A.S.S. News. Johnston separated himself from the field by leaning on urchin-style presentations, including the Coike bait, when the bite tightened under heavy competition pressure. Across the broader Southeast, the bluegill spawn is in full swing — Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage notes bass pushing hard onto shallow cover and responding to frog and topwater presentations near active bream beds. At Lake Murray, USGS gauge 02160390 on the Saluda River shows a moderate 120 cfs inflow, pointing to stable, low-turbidity conditions in the upper lake arms. The waxing crescent moon keeps pre-dawn light minimal, extending the early-morning topwater window on both systems.
Stripers Crushing Bunker, Blues Tailing as Narragansett Bay Heats Up
Water temperatures hitting 55°F per NOAA buoy 44097 are finally pushing Narragansett Bay fishing into high gear. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) captured the shift around the May new moon: "The bay is loaded with life and the fishing has been fantastic." Striped bass are the headliner — big fish are hammering large baits across the state, with the most consistent action found near bunker schools in the upper bay, per the Saltwater Edge shop report in The Fisherman — Rhode Island. Bluefish made a notable entrance last week: large fish moved in and were spotted tailing on the surface, though they've been picky. Fluke season is opening up — The Fisherman — Rhode Island's Frances Fleet report logged a steady pick of keepers Saturday morning before afternoon winds shut things down, and The Fisherman (Northeast) confirmed Rhode Island is seeing its first real fluke action of 2026. Tautog remain a reliable secondary target, and weakfish are making early appearances. The bay is waking up fast.
Post-spawn smallmouth firing on the Susquehanna ahead of Memorial Day
USGS gauge 01540500 logged 68°F and 14,800 cfs on the Susquehanna on May 19 — water temps squarely in the post-spawn transition window for smallmouth bass. Males that spent the past week guarding nests are beginning to push off beds and resume feeding, and the timing aligns with what Tactical Bassin is reporting regionally: the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing, a proven trigger that draws bass into shallow cover and makes topwater and frog presentations highly productive. Flow at 14,800 cfs is near seasonal norms for this stretch, keeping most ramps accessible and concentrating fish in classic eddy pockets and seam water behind mid-river boulders. On the Allegheny side, PA Sea Grant's December 2025 engagement sessions in Northwestern PA flagged the expanding Round Goby presence as a factor reshaping prey dynamics for walleye and bass in that watershed. Specific charter or tackle-shop reports were not available in this data cycle; this report leans on gauge readings, regional blogs, and seasonal context.
Calm Nearshore Windows Open as Spring Chinook Pace the Oregon Coast
NOAA buoy 46029 at the Columbia River bar is reading 55°F surface water this afternoon — squarely in range for Oregon's spring salmon and bottom-fish grounds — while buoy 46002 offshore confirms 56°F. Both stations show moderate northwest winds of 5–6 m/s, though the nearshore zone is markedly calmer: buoy 46050 is logging just 2 m/s, signaling workable windows for coastal charter runs. Direct angler intel for Oregon's coast is limited this reporting cycle. The closest comparable Pacific signal comes from Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, where a Half Moon Bay captain describes a 54°F water column that 'makes a huge difference on the water' for spring salmon — conditions nearly identical to what our buoys are showing here. With a waxing crescent moon overhead and temperatures well-placed for late-May salmon, spring Chinook near offshore structure and river-mouth upwellings should be the primary focus. Bottom anglers should look to halibut and rockfish as seasons allow — verify current regulations with Oregon ODFW before harvesting.
Red drum push hits Outer Banks surf hard as May bite peaks
Red drum have made a strong push onto the Outer Banks surf — Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports good numbers moving along the Hatteras and Ocracoke beachfronts as of mid-May, with the bite firmly active across the stretch (Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater). Water temperatures are running notably warm: NOAA buoy 41025 logged 80°F on May 19, with buoy 41013 confirming 76°F farther down the coast. Bull red drum are also showing around Cape Lookout shoals, where Steve of Chasin' Tails reports good-sized bluefish alongside the drum, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Slot-sized reds are pushing through the Pamlico/Neuse corridor as well — Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication notes the bite stretching across the whole Neuse. Surf anglers around Swansboro and Emerald Isle are picking up sea mullet, black drum, and early pompano per Fisherman's Post (NC). Offshore, expanded 2026 red snapper EFP seasons give NC anglers a longer summer window, per Sport Fishing Mag.
Bass lock onto shad and bluegill spawns across NC Piedmont lakes
Troy Watson of Mount Airy, N.C. put together a winning 20-pound, 6-ounce limit on High Rock Lake this month by working an early-morning shad spawn bite, per MLF News — a regional signal that the same transitional feeding patterns are likely playing out across the broader Catawba and Roanoke systems. USGS gauge 02142900 logged a very lean 6.21 cfs on May 19, pointing to low, clear tributary flows in the Catawba drainage that typically push bass toward shaded structure and reward finesse presentations. No temperature reading was available from this gauge. Tactical Bassin's blog reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, and bass in NC Piedmont impoundments are keying on shallow beds with topwater and frog presentations producing strikes from big fish. On the Roanoke system, late May traditionally closes out the spring striper push, with fish beginning to drop back from staging areas into the deeper, cooler water of Kerr Reservoir and Lake Gaston. Check current state regulations before targeting striped bass.
Spring Striper Run Peaks on Jersey Shore as Sea Bass Season Kicks Off
Water temps of 56–57°F logged at NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 mark a textbook mid-May Jersey Shore window, and the striped bass fishery is as hot as it gets. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls it "the best Striper Fishing possible" right now, and Fishermans HQ LBI confirms the LBI surf is alive from north to south end — fresh clam leading the charge, with lures and frozen bunker also connecting. Along the Seaside Park stretch, Grumpys Tackle (NJ) reports some holes holding six to ten fish per tide on clam, while The Fisherman — Southern NJ places stripers spread from Cape May to Atlantic City eating clams, bunker, soft plastics, glide baits, and live eels. Black drum have joined the surf mix statewide, with 15- to 30-pound fish gobbling fresh clam per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf. Black sea bass season opened May 15 but northern party boats are reporting a slow start — cold inshore water at wreck sites is the culprit, with captains across the board hoping a warming trend ahead of Memorial Day flips the switch.