Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Delaware stripers strong, Pine Barrens pickerel biting as shad run nears close
Old School Outdoors in Ewing reports solid striped bass action on the tidal Delaware from the Trenton area north to Lambertville, with fish biting through the tidal water to the south as well — and that bite should hold into early June. American shad remain catchable on the river, but The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater notes June traditionally closes the shad run, so the window is narrowing fast. On the Pine Barrens side, JB Kasper calls pickerel in the cedar waters "still good" heading into the back half of May. Largemouth bass are staged on spawning beds across ponds and lakes, with crappie having been consistent all month per Dow's Boat Rentals. The USGS gauge 01408000 recorded 24.9 cfs at midday May 19 — low and falling — reflecting the dry stretch Tackle World flags as a concern heading into June.
Late May sweet spot: crappie, catfish, and bass on the Platte & Missouri
Nebraska Game & Parks is reporting a road closure and active detour on the route to Kramper Lake and Danish Alps SRA, expected to remain in place for several more weeks — factor that into your pre-trip planning. On the water, mid-May marks a classic late-spring transition across the Platte and Missouri drainages: crappie are deep into their spawn, channel catfish are ramping toward their seasonal peak, and bass are pushing through post-spawn recovery into summer feeding patterns. Wired 2 Fish reports an outstanding crappie season underway at Tuttle Creek Reservoir in northeast Kansas — the closest comparable regional fishery — with fish stacking on structure in 6–10 feet when water levels cooperate. Fishing the Midwest notes that shallow-flat approaches and live-bait rigs are producing consistently across upper Midwest freshwater systems this spring. The USGS gauge at site 06796000 shows the Platte running at 3,160 cfs — a moderate spring pulse that pushes fish toward channel edges and protected backwaters over open current.
Stripers Crowd Cape Cod Bay Shores as the Spring Push Peaks
Striped bass are the talk of Cape Cod Bay. With water temps running 55–58°F across nearby NOAA buoys 44013 and 44020, conditions are firmly in the striper zone, and the fish are responding. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reports that stripers — along with a few spotty bluefish schools — made "impressive appearances" along the Cape Cod Bay shoreline this week, while the Canal has been delivering for regulars at both ends. Red Top Sporting Goods (via The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands) noted bass schools working bait across much of Buzzards Bay, with mackerel beginning to show in the Canal's east end. The Fisherman (Northeast) characterizes the region-wide picture as a "supercharged spring striper run," with fish averaging upper-teens to 20 pounds and some 40-class fish trickling in. Tautog remain active on structure, and scup have been stacking up for party-boat anglers across the Bay.
Spring Striper Push Arrives in Maine as Herring Runs Peak
Water temps registering 52°F near Portland (NOAA buoy 44007) and a colder 45°F in the offshore Gulf (NOAA buoy 44027) define a classic Maine May. OTW Saltwater's May 15 striper migration map confirmed that migratory stripers have reached Maine, and The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME corroborates: "striper action has now stretched all the way to southern Maine," with 30-inch-class fish confirmed at least to the Saco River and 40-inch-class fish pushing through the Merrimack corridor. Surfland Bait & Tackle, per that source, reports the season "in full swing" — with the herring run still very much on, herring imitations are the prime bet. Belsan's Bait and Tackle adds that mackerel are "close to shore and biting well," which should concentrate stripers around nearshore structure. Beauport Fishing Adventures, also per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, is reporting limit haddock catches on recent trips and calling it some of the best groundfishing in years.
Landlocked Salmon Window Opens as the Kennebec Runs Full with Spring Flows
The USGS gauge on the Kennebec (site 01046500) recorded 7,190 cfs on May 19 — elevated spring snowmelt flows still pushing through the system, with no water temperature captured in this pass. High flows tend to scatter fish from main-channel structure and concentrate them in eddy pockets, below tributary mouths, and in slack-water margins behind boulders and ledge outcrops. Direct on-the-ground reports for the Kennebec and Penobscot drainages are sparse in current feeds, but The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME confirms the region-wide spring run is now in full force, with stripers advancing as far north as the Saco River — a timing signal that cold-water species including landlocked Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and brown trout are at or near their prime late-spring feeding window before summer heat sets in. Smallmouth bass are likely still in pre-spawn staging given the cool, high-water conditions typical for this stage of the season.
Red Snapper Opener Delivers; Gulf Grouper and Trout Prime for Mid-May
Red snapper season is delivering early results on the Louisiana Gulf: Louisiana Sportsman reports 8,307 pounds landed in the first three days of the 2026 opener — a healthy start for offshore anglers targeting Gulf structure. NOAA buoy 42001 puts water temperature at 81°F with 4.6-foot seas, while buoy 42067 shows 3.6-foot wave heights closer to the coast; winds are running 11–13 mph across both stations, making offshore runs feasible in calm morning windows. Inshore, Coastal Angler Magazine singles out May as 'the most underrated window of the year' for trophy speckled trout, with larger fish still accessible in back-bay and grass-edge habitat before summer heat displaces them. The same source identifies May as prime time for gag and scamp grouper, noting that any hard structure holding cigar minnows and sardines is worth the run. Delta redfish remain a consistent inshore option throughout. Tonight's waxing crescent moon produces modest tidal pull — favor the first two hours of outgoing tide on marsh flats.
High Spring Pulse Pushes Atchafalaya Bass and Catfish to Backwater Cover
Water temperature sits at 72°F with flow running 470,000 cfs per USGS gauge 07374000 — a robust spring pulse that's reorganizing fish throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya corridor. At these volumes, main-channel bank fishing loses its edge; the bite has shifted to current seams at tributary mouths, eddy pockets, and the flooded timber and cypress stands of the Atchafalaya Basin. Blue and channel catfish are the prime targets, actively working current breaks where baitfish pool. Largemouth bass are in post-spawn transition at 72°F — look for them pushing into flooded vegetation edges and shallow cover; Tactical Bassin notes that the bluegill spawn is in full swing nationally at similar temperatures, a reliable trigger for big bass on topwater frogs and heavy-cover presentations. Louisiana Sportsman reports an active 2026 red snapper opener with 8,307 lbs landed in the first three days, signaling strong statewide angling momentum heading into the Memorial Day weekend. No specific Atchafalaya charter or shop intel is available in this cycle's feed.
Tuttle Creek Crappie Surge Leads the Kansas Spring Bite
USGS gauge 06892350 logged 71°F water on the morning of May 19 — a temperature that puts Kansas crappie, bass, and channel catfish squarely in play. Wired 2 Fish reports that Tuttle Creek Reservoir in northeast Kansas is delivering a standout crappie spawn this May: the 12,000-acre lake is well known for trophy-sized slabs, but spring flooding typically shuts down ramp access during peak spawn. This year's more cooperative conditions have kept boat ramps open and bank fishing accessible, and crappie fishermen are being rewarded for their patience. Largemouth bass are in the post-spawn transition across the region — Tactical Bassin notes that the bluegill spawn is now pulling big fish into shallow, heavy cover, with topwater frogs drawing strikes. River flows at 3,450 cfs are running at a workable stage for wading or bank fishing the main Kansas channels. Confirm local ramp conditions before launching.
Wabash bass turn on as bluegill spawn hits full swing in Indiana
Wabash River gauge 03335500 recorded 4,270 cfs on May 19 — a solid, fishable spring flow keeping current-seam walleye and channel catfish within reach. No water temperature was logged at the gauge, but late May across the Midwest typically pushes river temps toward the low 60s°F. The big story right now is the bluegill spawn: Tactical Bassin reports it is "in full swing," driving both largemouth and smallmouth bass into heavy cover and onto topwater patterns. Matt at Tactical Bassin opens sessions with a frog over heavy cover before transitioning to topwater walking baits — a playbook that translates directly to the Wabash's oxbow shallows and reed banks. Fishing the Midwest highlights this as prime time for shallow-water casting sessions, noting fish across multiple species tend to be accessible and cooperative. On Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant notes spring is nearshore buoy-deployment season, though no real-time buoy data reached our feed this week; verify lakefront conditions locally before heading out.
Lake Michigan smallmouth peak as Illinois River rides spring surge
The USGS gauge at site 05586100 is recording 26,100 cfs on the Illinois River as of May 19 — elevated flows pushing most fishing action out of the main channel and into backwater sloughs, tributary mouths, and slack eddies. On Lake Michigan's nearshore, Tactical Bassin (blog) spotlights the Great Lakes smallmouth fishery as a standout opportunity right now, recommending swimbaits and finesse presentations in clearer lake water as fish move through the post-spawn transition period. The same source reports the bluegill spawn is "in full swing," a reliable trigger that pulls largemouth into shallow heavy cover and puts them on topwater — frog and hollow-body presentations are producing. Fishing the Midwest notes that spinning gear paired with jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remains the go-to combination for walleyes as spring shifts toward early summer across Midwest river systems. A waxing crescent moon keeps low-light feeding windows productive at dawn and dusk across both systems.
Spring Chinook push the Salmon as salmonfly season builds on the Snake
USGS gauge 13340000 recorded 16,400 cfs and 47°F on the Snake River early this morning — elevated, cold flows that mark peak snowmelt season in the Idaho high country. Fish are stacked in slower seams, eddies, and protected bank structure where they don't have to battle the main current. Spring Chinook are working their way up the Salmon River corridor in the signature May migration for this drainage; cold, high water tends to scatter holding fish, so focusing on deep, slack-water pockets pays off. On the trout side, Caddis Fly (OR) highlights the salmonfly nymph as a defining late-spring pattern across Pacific Northwest river systems — Idaho's Snake and Salmon drainages are classic salmonfly water, and with the right warming trend, the big stonefly hatch could ignite before the month is out. Smallmouth bass in the lower Snake will remain sluggish until water climbs into the mid-50s. Check state regulations before targeting spring Chinook, as river-specific gear rules apply.
Hawaiian Islands Offshore Heats Up: Pelagic Season Hits Full Stride in Late May
NOAA buoy 51004 logged 79°F water off the Hawaiian Islands on May 19—temperatures that sit squarely in the comfort zone for open-ocean pelagics—while buoy 51001 returned 76°F to the northwest. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official catch record-keeper, underscores that moon and tide windows are the primary planning tool for serious island anglers; the current waxing crescent moon places us in an early-building lunar phase. No specific captain or charter reports are available in today's feeds, so conditions here are drawn from buoy data and established seasonal patterns. Water in the 76–79°F range is right on schedule for late May, when blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahi-mahi (dorado), and wahoo (ono) are all seasonally present in blue water. Trolling spreads—both surface and subsurface—are the standard offshore approach. Trade winds at 7–10 m/s across reporting buoys suggest that lee-side departure windows from south and west shores will offer the calmest conditions for reaching offshore grounds this week.
Tripletail Running Georgia's Coast as Snapper Season Expands for 2026
A 12-pound tripletail caught by Joe Thompson and his father—featured in GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' May 10 Southern Waters Fishing Report—signals Georgia's nearshore season is fully underway. Contributor Joshua Barber notes that warming temperatures are pushing fish into deeper water, a transition that will accelerate through late May. NOAA buoy 41008 recorded light winds near 3 m/s and air temperatures around 76°F mid-week, pointing to calm coastal conditions, though no surface water temperature was available from that station. The regulatory landscape brightened this spring: per Sport Fishing Mag and Saltwater Sportsman, federally approved exempted fishing permits will deliver significantly expanded 2026 Atlantic red snapper access for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. Meanwhile, Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as an underrated window for trophy speckled trout before summer heat fully arrives, and the same source points to nearshore structure loaded with cigar minnows and sardines as reliable territory for gag grouper and scamp.
Bluegill spawn fires up Georgia bass in shallow cover
Georgia Wildlife Blog's May 15 report calls this 'another great week of fishing' across Georgia, and conditions across the Chattahoochee and Savannah drainages back that up. The Savannah River (USGS gauge 02197000) is running at 4,660 cfs — a manageable, falling level after rains that, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, helped knock down wildfires and recharge rivers and lakes across the state. Bass are the headliner: a 10-year-old angler landed an 8 lb 11 oz largemouth from Morgan County on a spinnerbait during post-rain conditions in late April, per Georgia Wildlife Blog — a clear signal of how strong the big-fish bite has been this spring. With the bluegill spawn now in full swing, topwater frogs and shallow heavy-cover presentations are the move, a pattern reinforced by Tactical Bassin (blog). Crappie remain on structure in 3–8 feet around brush piles and fallen timber per Georgia Wildlife Blog's April 17 report, though hot weather arriving this week will push fish deeper quickly.
Post-spawn bass and bluegill beds light up Okeechobee & St. Johns
Field & Stream's report of a new Florida state-record blue catfish — 73.6 pounds taken on a live hand-sized bream — signals that the state's freshwater systems are producing exceptional fish this season. On the St. Johns, USGS gauge 02232000 recorded a flow of 189 cfs on May 19, a low-moderate stage consistent with the tail end of the dry season. The bluegill spawn is in full swing across Southern freshwater fisheries, per Tactical Bassin, and that bed activity is drawing big largemouth into predictable shallow ambush zones. Post-spawn bass on both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns are transitioning toward early-summer patterns — expect fish holding tight to lily pad edges, hydrilla mats, and dock structure. Topwater frogs and punching rigs are the go-to presentations in heavy cover right now, and the waxing crescent moon will reinforce low-light feeding flurries through dawn and dusk windows this week.
Pre-Spawn Snook and Roaming Tarpon Headline Florida's Atlantic Coast
Snook Nook's May 2026 report out of Stuart calls this 'one of the best months of the year' for inshore fishing on the Treasure Coast, with snook heating up ahead of their spawn in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers — slot and over-slot fish showing with increasing regularity as bait grows more abundant. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna flooding South Florida's Atlantic waters from the Keys to Palm Beach, rating May through July as the prime season; fish are responding to live bait, kite rigs, trolling, and anchoring over wrecks. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report confirms big tarpon action rolling statewide, squarely on schedule for the late-May migration window. Coastal Angler Magazine notes May as an underrated month for trophy speckled trout along Florida's inshore waters. Adding to the region's momentum, CCA Florida and Saltwater Sportsman report federal approval of expanded red snapper Exempted Fishing Permits for the South Atlantic, opening a significantly longer 2026 recreational season for Florida anglers.
Gulf Coast Tarpon Migration Peaks; Permit and Kingfish Fill Out the Spread
Water temps registering 79°F at NOAA buoy 42036 have Florida's Gulf Coast in peak late-spring form. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is "fully underway," with captains intercepting fish on the move and jumping quality silver kings through morning sessions. The same fleet pairs afternoons on sight-fishing large permit, calling the two-species combination "spectacular." Kingfish on plugs and flies, cobia, and amberjacks are rounding out offshore spreads. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) corroborates the tarpon picture with reports of big tarpon action across the state. Inshore, Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as one of the most underrated windows of the year for trophy speckled trout — a species getting overlooked while pressure shifts offshore. Seas are running 3 feet with winds near 11 mph per NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039, keeping conditions manageable for most offshore departures.
CT Stripers Erupt After May New Moon — Long Island Sound Bass Blitz On
The May new moon delivered a surge of striped bass action across Long Island Sound, with shops and charter captains throughout Connecticut reporting one of the best bites of the season. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, Aaron Swanson described a 'major influx of bait' as the tinder that ignited already-excellent striper action, with fish feeding on squid, bunker, mackerel, herring, silversides, and rain bait across every type of structure. Fisherman's World kept it brief: 'bass, bass, bass.' Offshore buoys NOAA 44025 and 44065 both show 56°F sea-surface temperatures, with nearshore water reportedly variable — Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle noted temps 'bouncing around' as the season transitions. Bobby J's confirmed the inshore bite is currently outpacing deep-water fishing, though outgoing tides remain the key window for reef action. Rock and Roll Charters just launched their charter season this weekend, with Captain TJ Karbowski eager to start bending rods.
Salmon Fishing Improves Off Pigeon Point as Central Coast Waters Cool
Water temps dipped to 53°F at NOAA buoy 46042 off Monterey — a four-degree drop from the 58°F recorded at the start of salmon season in mid-April. According to Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reported "vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point" and credited exactly this temperature break for the turnaround. The cooler water sent the bonito packing ("the bonita took a hike," Davis said), but it also signals that the bait-and-troll salmon bite should tighten along the mid-coast shelf. NOAA buoy 46028, positioned further south off Cape San Martin, showed a slightly warmer 59°F — suggesting a temperature gradient that may be concentrating fish along the thermal break. Seas are running 6–8.5 feet across the monitoring network, rough enough to keep smaller vessels in harbor, but the underlying fishing picture is trending positive for boats that can get out.
Tailwater Trout in Prime Window as Colorado River Flows Run Steady
The USGS gauge at site 09380000 recorded 52°F water and 7,150 cfs on the morning of May 19 — a temperature that puts Colorado River tailwater trout firmly in their optimal feeding range below Glen Canyon Dam. No Arizona-specific catch reports appeared in this week's angler-intel feeds, so conditions here reflect the gauge data and typical mid-May behavior for this system. At that flow and temperature, rainbow trout should be working near-bank seams and the softer edges of current breaks. On the Salt River chain of lakes, bass have moved through the spawn and are entering the post-spawn scatter phase — a transition Tactical Bassin's current coverage describes as a window when fish school up in mid-depth transition zones and respond well to swimbaits and finesse presentations. Waxing Crescent moon nights add a low-light feeding window worth timing on both systems this week.
Gulf of Alaska Enters Prime Halibut and King Salmon Window
Water temperatures of 41–43°F recorded across NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 on May 19 place Gulf of Alaska nearshore conditions squarely in the range that typically triggers the region's late-spring fishery transition. AK Sea Grant's recent ComFish coverage out of Kodiak confirms the local fishing community is actively mobilizing for the season, with commercial fleets underway and sport operators ramping up. No charter or tackle-shop reports landed in this data cycle to confirm specific recreational bite activity, so treat species observations below as seasonally grounded rather than trip-verified. With that caveat noted: mid-May is traditionally when Pacific halibut feeding picks up on the outer shelf, early king salmon begin staging near river mouths and nearshore drop-offs, and lingcod hold aggressively on structure well offshore. Wind readings of 2–7 m/s across monitoring stations suggest generally fishable offshore conditions. Always verify current IPHC halibut allocations and Alaska sport-fishing regulations before heading out.
Kenai spring kings window opens as runoff peaks mid-May
USGS gauge 15266300 on the Kenai River recorded 43°F water and 2,830 cfs at 8 a.m. on May 19 — a spring-runoff pulse consistent with peak snowmelt in southcentral Alaska. This week's angler-intel feeds carried no direct reports from Kenai guide operations or interior river sources, so specific bite conditions below are based on seasonal patterns and gauge data rather than on-the-ground testimony. That said, mid-May marks the traditional opening window for the Kenai's first king salmon run, and 43°F water sits squarely in the productive range for Alaska's spring fisheries. Rainbow trout typically stack in slack-water seams and back-eddies during high runoff, while arctic grayling on interior drainages feed actively as ice-out advances. AK Sea Grant's recent coverage of ComFish in Kodiak underscores that Alaska's commercial and sport fishing seasons are fully in motion statewide. Check current regulations and emergency orders before heading out — king salmon retention limits and opener dates on the Kenai shift quickly at this stage of the run.
Walleye on the Move as Rainy River Runs Strong Into Late May
USGS gauge 05133500 logged the Rainy River at 25,000 cfs and 48°F at 7:30 a.m. this morning — elevated spring runoff and cold water that is par for the course on this border-lake system in mid-May. No charter captains or tackle shops specific to Lake of the Woods filed reports in this week's feeds, but 48°F sits squarely in walleye post-spawn transition range. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) this week covers shallow-water walleye trolling and power-corking with forward-facing sonar — tactics that translate directly to the lake's rock shoals and emerging weed edges as fish scatter off spawning grounds. AnglingBuzz (YT) pairs that signal with big-water walleye strategy from guide Jason Freed working comparable open-water systems. Fishing the Midwest's spring shallow-water piece reinforces slow, simple presentations on post-spawn flats as the consistent play right now across the upper-Midwest walleye belt — a pattern that fits Lake of the Woods' expansive south bays. Northern pike, sauger in the Rainy River corridor, and yellow perch round out the spring slate.
Yellowstone & Snake cutthroat season builds amid peak spring runoff
The USGS gauge for this drainage is reading 42°F and 6,280 cfs — classic mid-May runoff conditions on the Yellowstone and Snake systems. Water this cold and high pushes cutthroat trout off main-channel holds and into slower seams, side channels, and boulder-shielded pockets where nymphs drifted close to structure produce best. Hatch Magazine's piece on caddis emergences — which draws on John Juracek's 'Fishing Yellowstone Hatches' — underscores caddis as one of the defining spring hatch events on these drainages, with afternoon windows worth watching for surface activity as temps tick upward through the day. Flylab's John Juracek notes that midges rank consistently at the top of trout food preferences regardless of what else is emerging, making small midge patterns a reliable all-day fallback. Wading is hazardous at current flows; bank approaches and drift boats are the safer call on larger water.