Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-spawn bass push deeper as bluegill spawn fires up on Lanier and Allatoona
USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam logged 48°F at 660 cfs on May 19 — cold tailwater from Lanier's deep releases, while reservoir surface temps run considerably warmer heading into Georgia's heat season. GA Sportsman contributor Joshua Barber warned in his May 10 report that hot weather was arriving and bass would "start to move into deeper water," a transition now fully underway on both lakes. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's mid-April fishing report documented crappie staging in 3–8 feet around brush piles and docks during the spawn; by mid-May that bite has shifted post-spawn toward deeper structure. Per Tactical Bassin, the bluegill spawn is the dominant trigger right now — bass are keying on heavy cover with topwater frogs drawing explosive strikes in shallow mats and laydowns. Work those shallow edges at first light before the heat pushes fish down.
Smokies trout in prime window as caddis and sulphurs come online
USGS gauge 03512000 clocked 63°F and 181 cfs on the morning of May 19 — a near-ideal pairing for Western NC trout. At this temperature, rainbows, browns, and native brookies are feeding freely rather than heat-stressed, and the moderate flow keeps wading practical on most Smokies freestone runs. Flylords Mag's recent drought advisory flags the Southeast as a region to watch for falling flows, but today's readings remain healthy for mid-May. Hatch Magazine's caddis emergence coverage is well-timed: late May on Blue Ridge freestones is exactly when Brachycentrus caddis, early sulphurs, and Light Cahills begin their afternoon lifts. Gink and Gasoline notes that warm weather typically accelerates these hatches, with sulphurs and Light Cahills coming on in late April through May. MidCurrent recommends having patterns ready from the surface film to open water as hatches fire. The waxing crescent moon and long May days favor morning nymphing and late-afternoon dry-fly windows — this is one of the best stretches of the year for trout across the Smokies.
Eastern Shore rockfish hold on as spring migration pushes north of Chincoteague
Water temperatures are sitting at 59°F off the Virginia coast per NOAA buoy 44014, putting Chincoteague squarely in late-spring striper territory. Virginia DWR's spring striped bass fishing report highlights rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds throughout the state's coastal zone — conditions that map directly onto the barrier island waters and back-bay channels around Chincoteague Inlet. Per On The Water's May 15 striper migration map, the northbound push has now extended all the way into Maine, meaning the main migration wave has advanced, but resident and post-spawn fish remain accessible along the Eastern Shore. OTW Saltwater noted 50-pound-class stripers stationed along the mid-Atlantic coast as recently as May 12. The waxing crescent moon is producing modest tidal swings right now — plan around the incoming tide transitions at dawn and dusk, working rip lines and bait concentrations where current funnels through the inlets.
Sandy Hook Stripers Running Hot as Sea Bass Season Awaits Warm-Up
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44065 hit 55°F on May 19 — a meaningful rise from the 46–48°F readings that stalled sea bass bottom fishing earlier this month. The real headline is striped bass: The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports an angler at Sandy Hook tip landing a 'super slam' of bass, bluefish, fluke, black drum, and blackfish on a bobber-rigged live killie, while Bug Light has been yielding bass to 30 pounds on metal lip swimmers and Jersey Jellies. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls recent striper trips 'the best striper fishing possible.' The Raritan Bay striper bite has eased per OTW Northern New Jersey (May 14), with fish transitioning to the beaches. On the bottom, Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ and a string of party-boat captains via The Fisherman — Northern NJ report sea bass as scarce — ling are dominating the boxes while water temps finish their climb.
Oversize stripers and black drum firing along the Delaware Bay NJ shore
NOAA buoy 44009 is reading 59°F today, and the Delaware Bay (NJ side) is delivering some of the season's best inshore action. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports Big Dave's Tackle calling fishing "firing on all cylinders," with oversize striped bass running 36 to 46 inches eating bloodworm, bloodworm ball, and clam rigs from bayfront beaches — a pattern echoed by Higbee's Bait and Tackle at Fortescue, where notably large fish have been the story all week. Black drum have joined the party, with Dockside Café and Marina customers landing fish to 15 pounds on clam baits. On the downside, Anthony Califano (via The Fisherman — Southern NJ) reports that persistent winds and cooler bay temps have kept flounder fishing frustratingly slow, and the newly opened black sea bass season has been sluggish at nearshore structure. The Fisherman (Northeast) confirms sea bass opened May 15; a warming trend heading into Memorial Day weekend should improve conditions on multiple fronts.
Stripers Rolling Through Buzzards Bay as Spring Run Peaks
Water temps of 53–56°F — recorded this morning at NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020 — are hosting one of the strongest spring striper runs the bay has seen in recent years. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters reports stripers from schoolies to the high-30-inch class actively working Buzzards Bay, with topwater action pulling fish from Fairhaven to the Canal's west end and jumbo scup sharing the same grounds. Red Top Sporting Goods describes bass schools "working bait almost all over Buzzards Bay," bluefish surfacing off Mattapoisett and Wareham, and mackerel beginning to show in the Canal's east end. Charley Soares, writing for The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, confirms bluefish are making spotty appearances alongside stripers along the Cape Cod Bay shoreline. Tautog action remains strong on structure, though bait supply may tighten, and legal-sized black sea bass are showing up for patient boat anglers. The Fisherman (Northeast) characterizes the broader New England striper run as "supercharged."
Columbia Spring Chinook in Prime Window as Moderate Flows Hold
USGS gauge 14105700 recorded 153,000 cfs and 58°F on the Columbia River at The Dalles early this morning — readings that land squarely in the productive range for Oregon's spring Chinook season. May historically marks the peak of the springer migration on the mainstem, with fish moving through deep-water holding lies on their way to upper-basin spawning grounds. At 58°F, the water temperature is near the sweet spot for active spring Chinook, which typically bite best between roughly 45–65°F. This week's angler-intel feeds carried no specific Columbia River catch reports, so we're drawing on gauge data and seasonal patterns rather than direct on-water testimony — confirm the current bite through state fishing reports before heading out. Sturgeon anglers working the mainstem should note that 153,000 cfs represents elevated but manageable spring runoff; heavier presentations anchored close to channel structure will help keep bait in the strike zone.
Spring Chinook hold court on Olympic Peninsula rivers in late-May window
USGS gauge 12041200 recorded 958 cfs and gauge 12035000 logged 715 cfs on the morning of May 19 — moderate, snowmelt-elevated flows consistent with typical late-spring conditions on Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers. Direct angler reports for this system are absent from this week's intel feeds; WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms statewide creel monitoring operations but did not publish a targeted Olympic Peninsula update in this cycle. Without current on-the-water testimony, the conditions assessment below is grounded in flow data and established late-May seasonal patterns for Washington's coastal salmon drainages. Spring Chinook are the primary target at this time of year, with fish holding in deeper mainstem pools and moving opportunistically on flow changes. Steelhead runs are winding down on most Olympic drainages by mid-May. The waxing crescent moon favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Verify current WDFW gear and retention rules before heading out — regulations vary by river and update as in-season run forecasts are revised.
Hill Country bass deep in post-spawn as bluegill beds heat up
The USGS Colorado River gauge below Lake Travis (site 08158000) recorded 331 cfs early this morning — a stable baseline pointing to manageable inflows across the Highland Lakes chain. Direct angler reports from Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are limited in this week's intel feeds, but the seasonal calendar is unambiguous: May's bluegill spawn is the dominant driver right now, pulling predators into the shallows. Tactical Bassin's blog notes the bluegill spawn is "in full swing," with large bass responding aggressively to topwater frogs and heavy-cover presentations — a trigger pattern that applies directly to the rocky limestone shorelines and dock edges of the Colorado River impoundments. LakeForkGuy reports "the most aggressive crappie bite of the year" in the post-spawn window, a trend that historically mirrors what Texas impoundments produce through mid-May. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes 2026 is shaping up as a record year for Texas anglers overall. Today's Waxing Crescent moon favors low-light morning sessions.
NorCal Salmon Bite Strengthening as Coastal Temperatures Drop
Cooler coastal water is improving salmon prospects along the NorCal coast this week. Per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reports water temps have dropped to 54°F — down four degrees from the 58°F reading at the April 11 season opener — a change he says 'makes a huge difference on the water,' with salmon conditions now 'vastly improved' south of Pigeon Point. The bonita that favored warmer water have cleared out, making way for the target species. Offshore, NOAA buoys 46026 and 46013 are registering significant wave heights of 7.5 and 8.2 feet respectively, with winds reaching 7 m/s at buoy 46013 — a reminder that coastal bar crossings at Bodega and the Golden Gate require careful timing. No buoy water temperature data was available today. Anglers planning an offshore run should consult current bar reports and local charter updates before heading out.
Lake Superior whitefish fishery grows as UP trout streams hit mid-May stride
The WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program spotlights a 'popular fishery' for lake whitefish in Chequamegon Bay that has grown in recent years, pursued both through the ice and from a boat — a trend that likely extends across the Lake Superior shoreline into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. On the stream side, USGS gauge 04059500 on the Ontonagon River recorded 424 cfs this morning, a moderate spring flow that keeps UP tributary streams in fishable shape without the blow-out levels seen earlier in spring. No water temperature data was available from the gauge. AnglingBuzz recently released content covering Lake Superior tactics, pairing shallow-water walleye and sturgeon as featured pursuits. For the smallmouth angler, Tactical Bassin highlights that Great Lakes clear-water conditions reward downsized, forage-matching presentations over the rocky Superior shoreline. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was unavailable at time of publication; conditions here draw on the sources above and seasonal context for mid-May in the UP.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Enter Pre-Spawn Prime Near Presque Isle
Water at NOAA Buoy 45005 registered 58°F on May 19 — right at the trigger zone for smallmouth bass staging ahead of their spawn on Lake Erie. With mild air temps around 62°F and a waxing crescent moon, conditions near Presque Isle are aligning for one of spring's best pre-spawn windows. Tactical Bassin notes that during the pre-spawn phase in clear Great Lakes environments, smallmouth school tightly and respond well to baits that cover water quickly. Walleye and yellow perch remain seasonally active across the open lake. Tributary flows at USGS gauge 04213000 are running a moderate 150 cfs — fishable conditions for any lingering steelhead still in area streams, though late May typically marks the tail end of that run in Pennsylvania. No specific on-water bite reports from PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports were available this cycle; species outlook reflects seasonal norms at current temperature and moon phase.
Spring Chinook Season in Full Stride on WA Columbia-System Rivers
Water temperature at USGS gauge 14113000 registered 52°F at 1,170 cfs on the morning of May 19 — conditions broadly favorable for spring Chinook salmon activity in Columbia-system tributaries. At this temperature, Chinook are typically mobile and responsive, placing the river squarely in the productive mid-spring window. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors fishing activity statewide through on-site creel interviews and publishes regular stocking updates; anglers should consult those reports directly for the latest species-by-species counts and access notes on individual drainages. Steelhead action typically tapers as May progresses, though colder, higher-elevation tributaries may still hold late-run fish at these flows. On Puget Sound rivers, 52°F is well within the comfort range for sea-run cutthroat and resident trout. Smallmouth bass along the mid-Columbia main stem are likely transitioning toward pre-spawn staging behavior typical of late May — water this cool still favors slower, bottom-oriented presentations near structure over aggressive reaction baits.
Expanded Snapper Season and Warm Water Open a Strong May Window for Charleston
Water temperature at NOAA buoy 41004 hit 76°F on May 19, putting inshore and nearshore species squarely in prime feeding range for Charleston Harbor. The headline for South Carolina offshore anglers: both Sport Fishing Mag and Saltwater Sportsman report that federally approved exempted fishing permit (EFP) pilot programs have unlocked a greatly expanded red snapper season across the South Atlantic — including SC — for 2026. Closer to the beach, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports red drum making a strong push onto Carolina beaches to the north, with Atlantic bonito producing excellent action out to the five-mile range at Wrightsville Beach — a coastal trend that typically runs south along the broader Carolina shoreline as the season matures. Sheepshead are in-season on structure throughout the region. Light winds and mild air temps round out a favorable window to be on the water this week.
Columbia & Rogue enter prime late-May window for Chinook and steelhead
Water temperature at 62°F and flow at 2,390 cfs on USGS gauge 14211720 this morning puts both the Columbia and Rogue systems squarely in the late-spring productive zone. At this temperature, spring Chinook are well within their comfort range, early summer-run steelhead are beginning their push into Oregon's freshwater drainages, and trout are feeding actively as aquatic insect hatches ramp up. No charter or shop reports from this corridor surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here are grounded in gauge readings and seasonal norms typical for mid-May Oregon. MidCurrent's current tying roundups feature beaded nymphs for overcast, low-light conditions and streamers for rocky-bottom rivers — both well-suited to the water stage we're tracking. The waxing crescent moon this week creates productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk worth timing around. Verify hatchery retention rules through state regulations before keeping any Chinook or steelhead this season.
Grand River elevated as Great Lakes smallmouth approach peak prespawn
The Grand River is carrying 3,870 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of May 19, running elevated for mid-May and nudging fish toward slower seams, eddies, and sheltered bays along its lower reaches. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report (May 13) flags active commercial netting near several popular Great Lakes ports — orange-flagged buoys mark gill-net gear and can be widely spaced, so anglers should plan their routes accordingly. On the bite, Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth breakdown puts this window squarely in peak prespawn territory, with fish schooled and covering water fast — swimbaits and reaction baits are the recommended play before fish lock onto beds. Walleye and yellow perch — Great Lakes staples — typically show their most active spring feeds through late May into early June. No water-temperature reading was captured this cycle; consult the DNR's weekly temperature map before heading out. The waxing crescent moon keeps low-light windows productive at dawn and dusk.
Trout running deep as Central MA ponds enter the late-spring window
Brook and rainbow trout stacked over deep water at Hampton Pond in Westfield on May 13, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, with trolling producing consistent action — including fish responding to a Bobby Garland Baby Shad fished near the surface. USGS gauge 01111500 reads 83.7 cfs and gauge 01105500 reads 14.5 cfs this morning, both within manageable spring ranges with no flood-stage concerns. No gauge water temperatures are available. Waxing Crescent moon and mid-May timing put Central MA squarely in a transitional window: trout remain accessible in ponds and lakes ahead of full summer stratification, while largemouth and smallmouth bass are pushing through spawn or into early post-spawn. Regional freshwater reports from The Fisherman — New England Freshwater echo that theme — stocked trout are still producing across southern New England and bass are responding more aggressively as water temperatures climb. Expect this mixed-bag window to hold at least through the coming weekend.
Salmon River trout and shad run drive CT inland fishing at mid-May
Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown reported the Salmon River TMA and TTA were freshly stocked on May 13, with one regular pulling as many trout as he wanted from that stretch. Largemouth bass are a different story — most are in full spawn mode now, which is making them "trickier" to entice than the eager prespawn fish of a few weeks back. The bigger shift in angler attention, per Fishin' Factory 3, is toward the Connecticut River, where shad, carp, and even stripers are drawing crowds away from traditional trout waters. At Saugatuck Reservoir in Norwalk, Fisherman's World reports that bass fishing — both largemouth and smallmouth — is "steadily improving" as water warms; shiners are leading the way, though Keitech paddletails and Lunker City swim baits are also producing. USGS gauge 01184000 on the Connecticut River recorded 60°F and 27,700 cfs as of this morning — prime conditions for the spring shad migration.
Colorado tailwaters hold fish as mainstem runoff climbs toward peak
Flow on the Colorado River near Cameo touched 3,200 cfs at 51°F early this morning, per USGS gauge 09095500 — a notable jump from the approximately 1,380 cfs Crystal Fly Shop (CO) recorded near Glenwood Springs in late April, signaling that snowmelt is actively building toward runoff. That rise hasn't killed the fishing, but it is changing the game. Cutthroat Anglers (CO), guiding Summit County rivers since 1999, offered the most direct seasonal read in their May update: Colorado's 2026 snowpack is "historically bad," meaning the runoff window will likely run shorter in duration and lower in peak volume than most years. The practical upside — tailwater reaches fed by reservoir releases are holding clearer water and should remain productive while the mainstem colors up. Midge and BWO presentations remain core patterns on tailwaters, per Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO), with caddis beginning to enter the mix as water temperatures edge above 50°F.
Delta stripers and largemouth enter prime post-spawn feeding window
USGS gauge 11447650 logged 5,370 cfs and 66°F before dawn on May 19 — water temps that mark the typical late-season close of the striper spawn run and the start of an aggressive post-spawn bass window across the Delta's tidal sloughs. No Delta-specific angler reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions below draw on gauge data and well-established seasonal patterns for this fishery. At 66°F, striped bass finishing their upstream migration are expected to be staging back toward the main channels; topwater at first light and swimbaits on deeper structure mid-morning historically produce during this transition. Largemouth are likely shifting from spawn to recovery in tule-edged backwaters, where the concurrent bluegill spawn — noted as "in full swing" for late-May largemouth fisheries by Tactical Bassin — creates a reliable topwater trigger near the banks. Channel catfish grow more aggressive as temps hold through the mid-60s.
Finger Lakes smallmouth hit pre-spawn prime as May peaks
USGS gauge 04232050 logged 62°F at 32.4 cfs in the early hours of May 19, placing the Finger Lakes corridor squarely in one of its most productive spring windows. That temperature sits at the heart of the smallmouth bass pre-spawn transition — males are likely staging on rocky shoals and gravel points across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles, making them aggressive and accessible. Tactical Bassin identifies this as peak timing for big smallmouth in clear northern fisheries, recommending swimbaits to cover water quickly and finesse presentations once schools are located. Walleye, now post-spawn, should be actively feeding along structure through the weekend. Lake trout are approaching the upper edge of their comfort zone and may begin retreating toward deeper, cooler water if surface temps continue their seasonal climb. No direct Finger Lakes shop or charter reports are available this week; conditions here are drawn from temperature data and broader regional seasonal patterns.
Lake Champlain smallmouth enter pre-spawn staging as May temps build
USGS gauge 04294500 logged 54°F in the Lake Champlain watershed early on May 19 — right in the thick of the pre-spawn sweet spot for smallmouth bass. At that temperature, fish are moving from deep winter haunts onto rocky banks, gravel points, and sunken humps but have not yet locked onto beds. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that "smallmouth bass action keeps steadily improving" across the region as water gradually climbs, with live shiners leading the bait column and Keitech swimbaits and Lunker City paddletails getting results on the artificial side. Landlocked salmon, Lake Champlain's other signature spring species, are still comfortable at 54°F and should be holding in open-water transition zones in the upper water column, reachable by trollers. Tactical Bassin notes that pre-spawn smallmouth school in predictable staging areas, making it productive to cover water quickly with swimbaits before zeroing in on concentrations. The waxing crescent moon means darker nights — a slight edge for low-light windows at dawn and dusk.
White River Tailwaters Running Warm and Low — Seek Cold Seams at Dawn
USGS gauge 07060710 clocked 71°F water and a near-trickle 5.06 cfs on the North Fork River early Tuesday, placing the tailwater trout fishery in a thermal pinch heading into the Memorial Day weekend. At 71°F, rainbow trout are bumping against their upper stress threshold, and the combination of minimal generation and warming May air means fish are concentrated wherever cold-water seams persist close to the dam face and in deeper, shaded pools. None of this cycle's regional feeds carried direct White River tackle-shop or guide reports, but Flylab (Substack) reinforces what every tailwater regular knows: midges are a year-round staple, and trout "always seem to take them" whether larva, pupa, or adult. MidCurrent's recent tying roundup singles out sparse midge-style patterns as standouts in "the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces." Dawn sessions on fine tippet are the play right now.
SoCal May Surge: Surf Bite Builds as Early Tuna Push Into Range
Water temps holding at 64°F across LA Bight buoy stations are energizing a surf bite that Surf Fishing in So Cal describes as 'starting to come together in a big way' after a patchy April, with the best fishing of the season potentially still ahead. Corbina and leopard shark headline the inshore action along Southern California beaches, with corbina responding well to sand crab presentations during calm mid-tide windows. Offshore, the headline story is an unusually early pelagic push: Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reported bluefin and yellowfin tuna already within one-day range southwest of San Diego by late April, with the first San Diego fleet albacore in several years gaffed April 30 aboard the Tribute out of Mission Bay. The same source flagged California water temps running 10-plus degrees above normal — anomalous even by El Niño standards — raising genuine optimism for early yellowtail and pelagic action extending into Channel Islands range. Waxing crescent moon provides favorable low-light windows through the end of the week.