Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-spawn bass hit topwater as bluegill spawn fires on the Tennessee and Coosa
Tactical Bassin documented the bluegill spawn in full swing this week, with big largemouth pushing into shallow heavy cover and taking topwater frogs and walking baits in thick vegetation. That same pattern — post-spawn bass keying on bluegill — is the dominant story across the Tennessee River system right now. Swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations are all producing fish, with water clarity dictating the call: clean-water sections reward drop-shots and small-profile baits, while stained stretches respond to reaction presentations. The pattern received tournament-level confirmation when Carter Nutt claimed his first MLF Pro Circuit win at Douglas Lake on the Tennessee River drainage (per Outdoor Hub), building his winning bag on that same post-spawn approach. USGS gauge 02339500 shows current flow at 1,090 cfs — moderate and fishable. No temperature reading is available at the gauge; typical mid-May conditions on these rivers put surface temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, well into prime post-spawn feeding range.
Toledo Bend post-spawn bass keyed on bluegill spawn in skinny water
The USGS gauge on the Sabine River (site 08025500) recorded just 8.69 cfs on the evening of May 18 — an extremely low reading suggesting drought-lean inflow along the border reach. On a reservoir like Toledo Bend, reduced inflow typically concentrates fish around standing timber and brush piles as the waterline slowly recedes. The timing is favorable: mid-May marks the heart of the bluegill spawn, and Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass breakdown confirms that largemouth follow bluegill aggressively onto shallow flats through this window, with frogs and hollow-belly topwaters as the highest-percentage presentations. Post-spawn bass are transitioning from beds to adjacent wood structure, staying shallow as long as bluegill remain active on beds. The waxing crescent moon supports productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk — plan launches around these transitions. Crappie have likely retreated to deeper brush following their own spawn, while blue and channel catfish grow increasingly active as water temperatures climb through late May.
Post-spawn transition underway on Hartwell as Georgia bass season heats up
GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News flagged in their May 10 Southern Waters report that hot weather was arriving in Georgia and fish would likely begin moving to deeper water — a pattern now taking hold across the Hartwell-Russell chain. The Savannah River gauge (USGS site 02192000) recorded a stable 415 cfs as of May 18, reflecting controlled dam releases and steady pool levels ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Bass are working through the classic post-spawn transition, shifting off beds toward main-lake points, channel drops, and secondary structure as they follow shad schools. The Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing highlighted a productive spring statewide, including an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken on a spinner bait in Morgan County just after late-April rains cleared. Crappie, which the Georgia Wildlife Blog described staging in 3–8 feet around brush piles and docks during the peak spring spawn, are edging slightly deeper now as surface temperatures climb toward summer levels.
Delta striper and bass season hits stride amid strong tidal-reversal flows
USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a reverse flow of -54,800 cfs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta on May 18 — a strong tidal-push signature that shifts fish out of main channels and into protected secondary sloughs, tule banks, and dock structures. Water temperature data was unavailable this cycle. Delta-specific angler intel did not come through in this feed window, so conditions here blend gauge readings with established mid-May seasonal patterns for this system. Striped bass are typically at or near their annual peak in the Delta by the third week of May, staging along current breaks and rip lines. Post-spawn largemouth are beginning their early-summer transition to shaded cover, and channel catfish are responding to warming shallows. The waxing crescent moon favors early morning and evening bite windows. Verify current conditions at your launch ramp before heading out, as reverse flows can shift fish locations from day to day.
Rangeley salmon and brookies in stride as late-May runoff holds steady
The Androscoggin headwaters gauge (USGS 01054200) recorded 262 cfs late on May 18 — a moderate late-spring flow that keeps riffle wading manageable without blowing out holding water. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME)'s early-spring 2026 report placed ice-out on Dundee Pond as early as April 4, putting the Rangeley chain roughly seven weeks into its post-ice window — the heart of landlocked salmon season and prime time for brook trout in tributary mouths and lake outlets. No water temperature was captured at the gauge this cycle; mid-May conditions in this drainage typically hold the upper 40s to low 50s°F, a range that keeps salmonids near the surface in low-light periods. Field & Stream's current overview of brook trout in the Northeast underscores that brookies — the region's native char — remain the backbone of these headwater drainages despite competition from introduced species. Waxing crescent moon overhead favors concentrated dawn activity. Check current Maine IFW slot and bag rules before heading out.
Penobscot running strong as Moosehead targets togue and landlocked salmon
USGS gauge 01030500 on the Penobscot recorded 2,910 cfs late on May 18, reflecting active spring runoff through the upper watershed. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge; mid-50s°F conditions are typical for this drainage in the third week of May, keeping cold-water species well within their prime feeding windows. The current intel feeds contained no direct on-the-ground reports from Moosehead Lake or upper Penobscot tributaries — coverage this cycle ran heavily toward coastal and southern New England saltwater fisheries. Drawing on seasonal patterns and the gauge signal, togue (lake trout) and landlocked Atlantic salmon remain the flagship targets on Moosehead right now, with both species still keying on cold-water structure before summer stratification sets in. Brook trout should be active in upper-watershed tributaries. The waxing crescent moon favors feeding activity, and the window before Memorial Day weekend is a historically productive stretch for smelt-pattern trolling and streamer work near inlet streams. Verify current regulations with state authorities before heading out, as spring rules can vary by water body.
Southern Lake Michigan enters prime salmon and smallmouth window in mid-May
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a standout 2024 harvest across the lake — more than 210,000 coho salmon (a record) and over 160,000 Chinook (the best since 2012), fueled by strong recent alewife classes. That healthy forage base carries into 2026 and benefits the entire southern Lake Michigan system, including the Indiana shoreline. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for the nearshore Indiana zone at report time; water temperature and wave height should be confirmed locally or via IL/IN Sea Grant's nearshore buoys before launching. Mid-May is historically prime territory on this stretch — coho and Chinook work the southern end of the lake near pier structures and offshore thermoclines, while smallmouth bass are moving through or past spawning mode. Tactical Bassin notes the Great Lakes as a premier clear-water environment for big smallmouth and highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations as the post-spawn transition unfolds.
Chicago coho push peaks as Lake Michigan spring salmon season builds
Mid-May on Lake Michigan near Chicago puts anglers squarely in the heart of the spring salmon run. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report provides the clearest season-shaping signal: more than 210,000 coho salmon were harvested lakewide in 2024 — a record — and over 160,000 Chinook were landed, the highest total since 2012, with strong alewife classes credited for exceptional post-stocking survival. Those year-classes are now maturing into catchable fish for 2026. No NOAA buoy temperature readings are available at press time; IL/IN Sea Grant notes that spring buoy deployment of their three nearshore Lake Michigan stations is underway, with real-time data expected online shortly. Smallmouth bass are another key target as the post-spawn window opens along rocky nearshore structure, and yellow perch remain accessible near the Chicago lakefront breakwalls through mid-spring.
Post-spawn bass prime for topwater at Lanier & Allatoona
The USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam reads 636 cfs at a cold 48°F — a figure that reflects hypolimnetic dam releases rather than open lake surface conditions, which typically run considerably warmer by mid-May. Bass fishing across Georgia is in the post-spawn transition, and per Tactical Bassin, the bluegill spawn is now "in full swing," opening a prime window for topwater frogs and heavy-cover largemouth. The GHSA Bass Fishing State Championship at Lake Sinclair on May 9 drew 111 anglers and produced strong limits, confirming solid statewide reservoir productivity this spring per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing documented an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth on a spinnerbait in late April under post-rain conditions — fish were actively shallow heading into May. Crappie staged in 3–8 feet around structure through late April per Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing are likely completing their spawn and beginning to scatter toward deeper summer haunts.
Smokies Trout Seek Cool Seams as Late-May Water Temps Climb
The USGS gauge on the Little Tennessee drainage (03512000) logged water at 68°F and 181 cfs late Sunday evening — a temperature that puts Smokies trout squarely at the upper edge of their thermal comfort zone as late May settles in. Flylords Mag flagged the Southeast as one of the regions currently experiencing drought stress, which aligns with these elevated readings. With no tackle-shop or guide reports in this data cycle, gauge data is our primary window into current stream conditions. At 68°F, rainbow and brown trout retreat to shaded seams, spring-fed tributaries, and cool pool edges — particularly through midday. Morning windows before 10 a.m. will offer the most reliable activity. Caddis emergences, which Hatch Magazine details as critical dry-fly opportunities in late spring, should be triggering in lower-gradient stretches at dusk. Nymph techniques remain the most consistent all-day option, while higher-elevation brook trout water will run cooler and provide a productive midday alternative.
Red Drum Surge Hits Cape Lookout Shoals and Pamlico Sound
Schools of bull red drum are working the Cape Lookout shoals this week — Steve of Chasin' Tails reports strong beach and nearshore action at Morehead City/Atlantic Beach, with plenty of good-sized bluefish mixed in, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Up in Pamlico Sound, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized reds pushing through the entire Neuse River corridor. On the Outer Banks, Ryan of Hatteras Jack confirms the surf has come alive with a strong red drum push onto the beaches. Swansboro and Emerald Isle surf anglers are pulling sea mullet, black drum, and early pompano per Fisherman's Post, where Morgan of The Reel Outdoors notes the surf bite has finally picked up. Water temperature from NOAA buoy 41037 was unavailable this reading, but an air temp near 77°F and light winds of around 10 knots signal favorable mid-May conditions. The waxing crescent moon sets up productive low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk.
Spring Stripers Running Strong off Virginia's Eastern Shore
Water at NOAA buoy 44014 has climbed to 60°F offshore the Eastern Shore — a reliable trigger for peak late-spring action. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog confirms striped bass are actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and hard coastal structure throughout Virginia's tidal waters this spring, with DWR biologists reporting fish holding tight to rocky shorelines and structure. The broader migration picture reinforces this: On The Water's May 15 striper migration map shows the push fully extended through the Northeast, while OTW Saltwater reports Chesapeake-origin fish staged along the mid-Atlantic coast. With 3-foot seas at the offshore buoy, anglers may find calmer conditions in Chincoteague's back bays and inlet channels. Summer flounder are beginning their own push inshore — The Fisherman notes the fluke bite warming across the NJ/DE region, a leading indicator that typically reaches Virginia waters within days as the same baitfish-following pattern advances southward.
Spring stripers schooling channel edges at Smith Mountain Lake & Buggs Island
The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds throughout Virginia's major water systems — a pattern that holds for Buggs Island (John H. Kerr Reservoir) and Smith Mountain Lake, both well-established landlocked striper fisheries. USGS gauge 02075045 on the Staunton River upstream of Buggs Island logged 493 cfs Monday evening — a moderate late-spring inflow that keeps baitfish stacked in predictable channel structure without pushing unsettled conditions into the impoundment. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge at press time, though mid-May on these reservoirs typically falls in the upper 60s to low 70s — prime striper and bass feeding range. With the bluegill spawn now in full swing, Tactical Bassin reports largemouth moving aggressively on topwater frogs and shallow presentations over heavy cover. The waxing crescent moon favors early-morning and dusk bites. Check local regulations before targeting stripers, as slot and size limits apply on both lakes.
Sandy Hook stripers in full swing as the sea bass season sputters to life
Water temperatures measured at 55°F by NOAA buoy 44065 early Monday, and the striper bite around Sandy Hook is delivering. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf's Tackle Box report has Sandy Hook tip producing elevated action heading into Memorial Day weekend, including a standout multi-species session on bobber-and-live-killie rigs that turned up bass, bluefish, fluke, black drum, and blackfish in one outing — plus quality fish to 30 pounds on metal lip swimmers at Bug Light. Blue Chip Sportfishing is calling it "the best Striper Fishing possible." OTW Northern New Jersey's May 14 report confirmed the bite has shifted from Raritan Bay to the beaches, where momentum continues to build with bunker schools active throughout northern NJ waters. The new sea bass season (opened May 15) is a different story: Capt. Ron's Atlantic Highlands fleet is grinding ling with throwback sea bass in the mix, and The Fisherman — Northern NJ reports the Golden Eagle sees numbers well below last season's early-May pace.
Oversize Stripers Dominate Delaware Bay Beaches as Spring Push Peaks
Water temps at 58°F per NOAA Buoy 44009 put the Delaware Bay's NJ shoreline in a prime spring window, and the fish are cooperating. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports Big Dave's Tackle calling the week 'firing on all cylinders' for striped bass, with oversized fish ranging 36 to 46 inches off the bayfront beaches on bloodworms, bloodworm balls, and clam. Higbee's Bait and Tackle at Fortescue backs that up with another stretch of oversize bass from the beaches. Black drum have entered the picture, with Dockside Café and Marina logging fish to 15 pounds on clam baits. Flounder has been the casualty of persistent winds; Tuckerton Bait and Tackle described 'whitecaps on the bay all week long' with dirty water limiting the bite — though early-morning anglers managed flounder limits to 20 inches on outgoing tides using live minnows and Gulp. The Fisherman (Northeast) notes black sea bass season opened May 15, giving bottom-fishers a fresh option as water warms.
Trout Hold Deep, Bass Enter Spawn Mode at Quabbin & Wachusett
Rod Teehan, reporting in The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, found brook and rainbow trout stacked over deep water at Hampton (Pequot) Pond in Westfield on May 13, marking fish on sonar but logging a modest three-and-three troll across two-plus hours — a signal that central Massachusetts reservoir trout are present but selective in this mid-spring window. Outflow at USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River below Quabbin registered 93.9 cfs on the evening of May 18, a moderate level suggesting stable reservoir conditions without notable flood or drawdown pressure. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge. On the warmwater front, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater contributors report largemouths "now spawning and proving trickier to entice than in prespawn" across southern New England — a pattern that typically applies with equal force to the coves and shallows of Wachusett Reservoir at this date. Check state access permits and special regulations before fishing either reservoir.
Stripers Flood Buzzards Bay as Blues and Scup Join the Spring Surge
Water readings of 54–57°F across the bay (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) have unlocked a genuine striper push into Buzzards Bay. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters — reporting through The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands — enjoyed a week running from schoolies to high 30-inch class bass, with fish taken on topwater from Fairhaven to the Canal's west end during a worm hatch and a handful landed on the fly. Red Top Sporting Goods, also in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, confirmed bass schools working bait "almost all over Buzzards Bay," with the first bluefish of the season surfacing off Mattapoisett and Wareham. Correspondent Charley Soares noted spotty bluefish schools making their first real appearances alongside stripers on the Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay shorelines. The Canal is producing at both ends, mackerel have been reported in the east end, and jumbo scup have moved into the mix alongside scattered legal-size black sea bass. The spring run is firmly on.
Eastern WA Spring Runoff Peaks as Caddis Hatches and Bass Patterns Heat Up
USGS gauge 12484500 clocked 1,960 cfs on May 18 — a clear signal that Eastern Washington river systems are carrying a robust spring snowmelt load, with no water temperature data available from the gauge. No dedicated Eastern WA on-the-water reports came through our feeds this cycle, but MidCurrent's current fly-fishing coverage zeroes in on caddis emergences as the go-to late-May hatch sequence for inland trout rivers, and Hatch Magazine runs a detailed breakdown of caddis timing that aligns with what Eastern WA fly anglers typically encounter this week of the season. On the warm-water side, Tactical Bassin (blog) documents active post-spawn smallmouth patterns on clear-water western fisheries, citing swimbaits and finesse rigs as top producers as fish transition from spawning flats to main-channel structure — a seasonal playbook that translates well to the Snake and Columbia tributaries accessible from Yakima and Spokane. WA WDFW Fishing Reports is tracking statewide stocking activity; check there for the latest lake plants before your next outing.
Spring kings pushing as Olympic Peninsula rivers hold fishable levels
USGS gauge 12041200 logged 1,000 cfs and USGS gauge 12035000 registered 722 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — moderate levels that typically keep Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers in fishable shape heading into the late-May push. No water temperature data was recorded at either gauge. Direct on-the-water reports for this corridor are sparse in current feeds; WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes that creel monitoring continues statewide, but specific session-by-session intel for these drainages was not available at press time. Seasonally, mid-to-late May is the heart of the spring Chinook window on Olympic Peninsula rivers, when returning kings that have been staging in the lower reaches begin pushing more aggressively upstream. Steelhead opportunity is shifting from the tail end of winter-run fish toward early summer-run arrivals, a transition period that typically rewards anglers willing to adapt presentations from heavier swung flies or eggs to lighter, faster-drifting setups.
Panhandle Gags and Scamps Peak as Gulf Structure Season Heats Up
Water temps holding at 76°F per NOAA buoy 42012, and Coastal Angler Magazine is calling May prime time for gag grouper and scamp throughout the Gulf. The publication puts it plainly: find ledges, rock outcrops, and wrecks holding cigar minnows and sardines, because "a live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of fish." Seas are running 3 to 3.3 feet with light 10-knot winds per buoys 42012 and 42039, giving offshore boats a manageable run to structure from Destin and Pensacola. A waxing crescent moon keeps tidal movement moderate but still enough to push bait and trigger feeding windows near passes and inlets. Red snapper season openings for the Gulf are typically limited — verify current federal and state windows before targeting them. May structure fishing should be the primary focus right now.
Snook peak at Boca Grande as jacks and redfish light up Sarasota Bay
A new boat record at Boca Grande says it all: Capt. Brandon Naeve at CB's Saltwater Outfitters put angler Mike from Pittsburgh on a 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook on May 9th — May is prime time for the pass. NOAA buoy 42013 is logging 80°F water, the sweet spot that keeps inshore species active and aggressive ahead of the summer spawn. Meanwhile, Capt. Chuck Cress at CB's Saltwater Outfitters is reporting steady upper-slot Redfish action, with Trout and 20-to-25-inch Reds being caught and released across the flats. Jack Crevalle have also taken center stage in Sarasota Bay — CB's Saltwater Outfitters notes they're schooling near the surface through May, ambushing baitfish near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets. Early-morning topwater with poppers and fast-retrieved jigs is the play when birds are working. Calm Gulf conditions — winds under 2 m/s and 2.3-foot swells per NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — make this an ideal window for inshore and nearshore runs alike.
Mutton snapper spawn peaks as Keys reefs and offshore light up for May
Mutton snappers are in full feed in the Florida Keys this May, with ALL IN Key West reporting the bite at 'an all-time high' ahead of the full moon spawn cycle. Yellowtail snappers are equally fired up, described by the same charter as 'practically jumping in the boat.' Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna have flooded South Florida waters — May through July is peak season, with fish ranging from the Keys northward along the Atlantic coast. Gulf-side trips from ALL IN Key West are producing mixed bags of grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in a single outing. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 show winds running 17–18 knots and air temps near 82°F, adding some chop to offshore runs but keeping conditions fishable overall. The waxing crescent moon is building toward the full moon, and the snapper spawn peak should only intensify in the days ahead.
Bluegill spawn triggers Hill Country bass topwater bite
USGS gauge 08158000 on the Colorado River at Austin recorded 761 cfs on the evening of May 18, reflecting moderate inflow into the Highland Lakes chain — not elevated enough to muddy the clear-to-lightly-stained water Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are known for this season. Water temperature is unavailable from the gauge, but mid-May typically pushes surface readings into the upper 70s°F across Hill Country impoundments. Direct angler intel for these three lakes is limited this cycle, but Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is fully underway — a reliable seasonal trigger that moves largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover and ignites aggressive topwater and hollow-body frog bites. Post-spawn fish not actively feeding shallow are transitioning to first-break structure: submerged points, creek-channel ledges, and flooded timber. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes 2026 has been a record year for Texas anglers broadly, pointing to favorable statewide fishery conditions entering this spring-to-summer window. Nearby, My Canyon Lake Fishing reports Canyon Lake ramps are open and conditions are ideal for on-water recreation, consistent with stable reservoir levels across the region.
NorCal Chinook Bite Improves as Cold Upwelling Returns to the Coast
NOAA buoy 46026 registered 50°F water off San Francisco in the early hours of May 19 — the cold upwelling signal NorCal Chinook anglers have been waiting for. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, told Western Outdoor News — Saltwater that salmon conditions have become "vastly improved" below Pigeon Point after water temperatures dropped from 58°F at the April 11 season opener to 54°F. Davis noted that the four-degree drop "makes a huge difference on the water" and confirmed that bonita, which had been showing in the warmer early-season water, have moved offshore — clearing near-shore zones for salmon. Buoy 46013 near Bodega Bay registered winds of 12 m/s overnight, making offshore runs choppy; morning departures ahead of the afternoon sea breeze are the recommended window. Inside the Gate, Bay halibut and striped bass enter their seasonal spring window, though no charter reports surfaced this week to confirm current bite intensity for either species.