Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
UP Streams Running Well for Brook Trout as Lake Superior Whitefish Bite Builds
WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing confirms a "popular fishery" for lake whitefish in Chequamegon Bay — on Lake Superior's western shore just south of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula — with open-water angler interest strong enough to prompt an ongoing DNR survey and management meetings through spring 2026. Meanwhile, USGS gauge 04059500 recorded 403 cfs on May 18, placing at least one UP-area tributary in a moderate spring-flow range — enough current to concentrate trout in eddies and pool heads without the high, off-color blow-out conditions that can shut down the bite. AnglingBuzz recently published Lake Superior-specific content covering shallow-water walleye and sturgeon tactics, signaling active pursuit of both species on the big lake. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across Great Lakes clear-water fisheries, which historically concentrates predators — especially smallmouth bass — on shallow structure. Brook trout, the UP's signature stream species, are in their prime mid-May window with early-season hatches beginning across UP tributaries.
Saginaw Bay walleye dispersing as smallmouth move into post-spawn range
An angler on the Michigan Sportsman Forum reported planning a Saginaw River run near the Edson area this coming Sunday — noting they expected the walleye push to be 'probably done' and asking whether white bass had moved in. That question, uncorroborated by any shop or agency report this week, is the sharpest on-the-ground signal available for Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay: the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report content was inaccessible in this data cycle, and USGS gauge 04157000 returned no flow or temperature readings. On the technique side, Tactical Bassin's recent coverage of Great Lakes clear-water smallmouth tactics — swimbaits and finesse presentations across a range of depths — translates directly to Lake Huron's thumb-area rocky shoreline, where bass are typically moving through spawn transition by mid-May. With a waxing crescent moon overhead, early-morning and dusk windows should provide the best bite timing across both Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron's nearshore structure.
Grand River steelhead tailing off as Great Lakes smallmouth move shallow
The Grand River is running at 4,040 cfs as of May 18 per USGS gauge 04119000, marking a healthy late-spring flow that carries the final wave of steelhead toward Lake Michigan. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report highlighted a landmark 2024 salmon season — record coho numbers topping 210,000 harvested and the best Chinook returns since 2012, driven by strong alewife forage classes — suggesting a well-fed staging population in the nearshore zone heading into summer. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across Great Lakes fisheries, a reliable trigger that pulls largemouth and smallmouth bass onto shallow rock and wood structure in force. No water temperature data was available for this reporting window, but mid-May conditions in this corridor typically run 56–64°F — right in the zone for late-run steelhead and the onset of smallmouth spawning. The waxing crescent moon favors active feeding at dawn and dusk.
Lake Erie walleye entering prime mid-May post-spawn feeding window
NOAA buoy 45005 put Western Basin surface temperatures at 57°F on May 19 — right in the wheelhouse for actively feeding walleye following the spring spawn. Waves were running 1.6 feet with winds around 20 mph, creating manageable if lumpy trolling conditions for boats willing to handle some chop. Post-spawn walleye typically disperse from nearshore reef staging areas and push into open-water feeding lanes once lake temps climb into the mid-50s, and this year's mid-May read sits squarely in that zone. Fishing the Midwest contributor Mike Frisch notes slow-trolling as a go-to spring walleye technique during transitional windows like this one. The Maumee River tributary (USGS gauge 04193500) was flowing at 2,240 cfs, a moderate rate that pushes color into the western end of the basin and can concentrate forage fish near the plume edge. No Western Basin charter or shop reports surfaced in this cycle's feeds; condition synthesis here draws on environmental readings and seasonal patterns.
Prime Time on PA Limestone: Sulphur Hatches and Wild Browns
Flow in the Bald Eagle Creek watershed (USGS gauge 01546500) registered 81.2 cfs on the evening of May 18 — a workable level for wading Spring Creek and Penns Creek, though Flylords Mag recently flagged intense drought conditions gripping much of the Mid-Atlantic with limited relief in sight. No water temperature reading was captured in this gauge cycle. The more encouraging news: mid-May is the seasonal apex on these limestone fisheries, and Gink and Gasoline reported that 2026's unseasonably warm spring pushed Sulphur and Light Cahill emergences well ahead of their traditional late-April onset — meaning the hatch may already be running near peak or transitioning to spinner falls by now. Hatch Magazine's recent guide to caddis emergence behavior points to tan and olive caddis as a reliable complement during the same evening window. The waxing crescent moon sets early, leaving dark, calm evenings that favor the last 90 minutes of light as the prime feeding window on these heavily pressured, clear-water streams.
Post-spawn smallmouth holding tight to structure as Allegheny runs high
USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny River registered 19,800 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — elevated well above seasonal norms and the dominant factor shaping the Pittsburgh tailwater bite this week. With no direct on-the-water reports surfacing from the Allegheny or Ohio corridors in this cycle's intel feeds, conditions are being read through the gauge and the calendar. At nearly 20,000 cfs, the main stem is running fast and likely turbid, pushing smallmouth bass and walleye out of open current and into slack-water eddies, bridge pylons, and wing dams. May marks the classic post-spawn transition for Pittsburgh-area bass; Tactical Bassin notes that this stretch of the season rewards anglers who concentrate on structure and slow presentations — swimbaits and finesse rigs over fast horizontal lures. PA Sea Grant flagged ongoing Round Goby pressure in Pennsylvania river systems, a reminder to clean all gear when moving between watersheds.
Presque Isle Smallmouth Stage as Lake Erie Nears Memorial Day Peak
NOAA buoy 45005 logged 58°F on central Lake Erie early Tuesday, placing Presque Isle Bay squarely in the pre-spawn smallmouth window. Tactical Bassin flags this as prime time for Great Lakes clear-water smallmouth, pointing to swimbaits and finesse presentations as top producers right now. The same outlet notes that bass across the region are zeroing in on the bluegill spawn, making shallow, heavy-cover zones productive for morning topwater sessions — a pattern that applies directly to Presque Isle's rocky bay shoreline. PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports remains the authoritative local source for current walleye, perch, and stocking data by district; their biologist updates should be checked before launching. Winds near 18 mph at the buoy are keeping open-lake conditions choppy; the bay's protected interior offers calmer water for most rigs. USGS gauge 04213000 on a local tributary shows 161 cfs — manageable flow for anglers still exploring Erie creek mouths for late-season steelhead.
Lake Erie smallmouth and walleye lock in as May water temps peak
USGS gauge 04231600 logged 63°F water and a flow of 4,600 cfs on May 18 — conditions that place Western NY's Lake Erie tributaries and Niagara-corridor waters squarely in the heart of the smallmouth bass prespawn window. At this temperature range, smallmouth stages on shallow rocky structure and outside weed edges ahead of the spawn. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes content highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations as high-percentage plays during this prespawn phase, noting that fish school tightly — locating one often means locating many. Walleye, typically in a post-spawn feeding mode by mid-May on Lake Erie, should be working tributary mouths and nearshore flats aggressively. Yellow perch remain a reliable all-day target through this stretch. No charter or regional tackle-shop reports reached our feeds this cycle; conditions described here reflect gauge data and seasonal norms — verify current activity with a local shop before launching.
Spring Chinook on the build as Puget Sound conditions settle
NOAA buoys 46041 and 46087 logged light overnight winds of 6 and 3 m/s respectively on May 19, with air temperatures holding at 12°C and 11.1°C — comfortable surface conditions heading into the late-May window. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both stations this cycle. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department's ongoing statewide creel survey program, though no species-specific bite bulletins were available at pull time. Late May is typically when Puget Sound marine areas see the spring Chinook fishery building toward its June peak, with Pacific halibut quota days running concurrently and lingcod holding on nearshore structure. A waxing crescent moon favors dawn and dusk feeding windows over the next several days. WA Sea Grant's active Salish Sea research on larval forage fish dynamics signals an engaged baitfish chain — a positive underlying indicator for salmon and larger predator activity as the region moves deeper into the spring run.
Columbia tributaries in prime window as spring Chinook run winds down
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 57°F water and a flow of 1,200 cfs as of the evening of May 18 — placing this Columbia tributary in a productive late-spring window. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide angler activity through creel interviews and documents hatchery stockings across Columbia and Puget Sound drainages, though specific catch data from the current feed is limited. Based on seasonal norms and gauge readings, 57°F sits squarely in the range where spring Chinook remain metabolically active before summer warmth pushes fish to deeper lies. Columbia basin smallmouth bass are pushing through the final stages of spawning or entering early post-spawn feeding at this temperature. American shad, which typically push up the Columbia mainstem in May and June, may be beginning to appear at accessible reaches. The waxing crescent moon favors crepuscular feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Anglers planning a trip should verify current regulations and access conditions through WA WDFW Fishing Reports before heading out.
Striper push rolls north from the Chesapeake mouth; cobia season on deck
The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog is spotlighting spring striped bass across Virginia's tidal system, with rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and hard structure at the Bay mouth — textbook late-May staging behavior. NOAA buoy 44009 puts water temperature at 58°F, a productive transitional zone for both lingering stripers and incoming summer species. OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration report adds crucial context: post-spawn trophy fish in the 50-pound class that originated in Chesapeake waters are now staged off New Jersey and Long Island, meaning the peak large-fish push has largely cleared the lower Bay. Mid-size and resident stripers remain the primary target. The Fisherman (Northeast) notes the fluke bite warming across the NJ/DE corridor, a leading indicator for flounder action moving into VA waters. Cobia, a signature late-May species at the Chesapeake mouth, have no confirmed sightings yet in the current intel but are tracking squarely with seasonal timing.
Stripers on VA's tidal Potomac as Shenandoah smallmouth shift post-spawn
Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report finds rockfish 'schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds' in Virginia's tidal rivers this spring — a strong sign the upper-tidal Potomac bite remains accessible. Freshwater flows on the upper Potomac sit at 2,450 cfs at USGS gauge 01646500 as of Monday evening, a moderate level that keeps wade and float access open. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, but mid-May conditions in the Potomac and Shenandoah systems typically put smallmouth bass in the final stages of the spawn and early post-spawn recovery. The Tactical Bassin blog notes post-spawn bass 'tend to school together,' making locating one fish a signal for sustained action. Wired 2 Fish highlights tight-lining with a minnow on traditional 2D sonar as a productive option for suspended fish that have pulled off shallow structure. For tidal sections, Virginia DWR points to rocky shorelines and hard structure as prime striper holding spots.
South Texas Spring Bite Peaks: Redfish and Jetty Action Running Hot
Water temperatures have climbed to 80°F per NOAA buoy 42035, and the bite along the Galveston-to-Corpus stretch is confirming what warming conditions promise. The second leg of the Galveston Redfish Series wrapped May 9 — teams entering three redfish each in a live-video weigh-in — signaling that inshore action is solidly on track. Per the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report, Capt. Greg Ball reports the Galveston jetties and ship channel are "heating up in a big way" as nearshore water temperatures climb. Three veteran captains contacted by the Reel Report confirm the south Texas bite is strengthening as air and water temps align. Offshore wave heights have moderated significantly per NOAA buoys, making nearshore access far more practical than it was earlier this month. The 37th CCA Texas STAR Tournament is now underway per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing. Speckled trout and flounder should be in the mix for anglers working bay structure and grass flats.
Red Snapper Season Expands as Drum Push the Carolina Coast
Water temps offshore Charleston have reached 76°F (NOAA buoy 41004), placing conditions squarely in late-spring territory. The headline for SC offshore anglers: federally approved exempted fishing permits have opened a greatly expanded red snapper season along the South Atlantic coast this summer, covering South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida recreational anglers, per both Sport Fishing Mag and Saltwater Sportsman. Closer to the beach, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports paint an encouraging picture from nearby North Carolina waters: red drum are making a strong push onto beaches at Hatteras, bull reds have been working Cape Lookout shoals, and black drum have joined early pompano in the Swansboro and Emerald Isle surf — migration patterns that historically extend south toward Charleston Harbor. Sheepshead remain a dependable target around the harbor's bridge pilings and dock structure. The waxing crescent moon keeps tidal swings moderate and manageable this week.
Santee largemouth surging post-spawn as bluegill spawn peaks on Murray
The Bassmaster Elite just wrapped at Santee Cooper Lakes, and the scorecards tell the story: post-spawn largemouth are feeding aggressively. Per B.A.S.S. News, Chris Johnston won the 2026 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper with a four-day total of 113 pounds, 12 ounces — a dominant performance anchored by urchin-style soft plastics, particularly the Coike bait that drew lines across the field. Fish are working heavy cover as they transition off spawning flats. Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is now fully underway, a reliable trigger that pulls big bass shallow for ambush feeding on topwater frogs and reaction baits. Over on Lake Murray, the Saluda River (USGS gauge 02160390) is running at a modest 120 cfs, indicating stable, low-turbidity inflow conditions favorable for visibility-sensitive presentations like finesse rigs and drop shots on mid-lake structure. Gauge temperature was unavailable, but mid-May in the SC Piedmont typically puts reservoir surface temps in the low-to-mid 70s°F.
Stripers, bluefish, and first fluke push into Narragansett Bay
NOAA buoys 44085 and 44097 are reading 54–55°F as of May 19 — a meaningful jump from the 48°F the Frances Fleet clocked earlier in the week — and anglers are feeling the difference. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports big striped bass "crushing big baits all over the state," with bunker pods in the upper bay drawing the most consistent action. Per The Fisherman — Rhode Island, large bluefish moved into the bay last week; they've been picky but visible, tailing on the surface. The Fisherman (Northeast) calls the regional striper run "supercharged," with fish averaging upper-teens to 20 pounds and 40-pound class bass now entering the region. Frances Fleet (via The Fisherman — Rhode Island) logged steady fluke keepers and a solid squid night trip this week. Tautog action is building; Booked Off Charters (via The Fisherman — Rhode Island) anticipated the bite to sharpen once water crossed 50°F. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) also flagged weakfish starting to show in decent numbers — an encouraging early sign for a species worth watching.
Susquehanna Smallmouth in Post-Spawn Transition as May Heats Up
Readings from USGS gauge 01540500 on the West Branch Susquehanna placed water temperature at 64°F with flows running elevated at 16,100 cfs on the evening of May 18 — conditions that put smallmouth bass squarely in post-spawn recovery and scatter mode. No local shop or charter reports populated this cycle, so technique and species expectations here lean on regional fishing blogs and season-typical behavior rather than fresh Pennsylvania-specific testimony. Tactical Bassin reports that the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across comparable mid-latitude freshwater fisheries, concentrating big bass in shallow heavy cover and opening a reliable window for topwater frogs and walking baits. Wired 2 Fish notes that tight-lining — suspending live bait or soft plastics and reading suspended fish on traditional 2D sonar — remains productive for post-spawn bass holding off main-channel current. PA Sea Grant flagged active Round Goby invasion awareness in Northwestern PA drainages; anglers fishing the Allegheny system should clean, drain, and dry gear between outings.
Spring Chinook and Halibut Windows Open as Oregon Coast Warms Into May
NOAA buoys 46029 and 46002 placed water temperatures at 56–57°F along the Oregon Coast as of May 19 — a range that aligns with prime spring Chinook and Pacific halibut season windows. Winds measured 4–9 m/s across monitoring stations, indicating manageable offshore conditions, though no wave height data was reported this cycle. Specific Oregon Coast charter or tackle-shop intelligence was not captured in this reporting period, so bite conditions are assessed from buoy readings and seasonal context. For regional perspective, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater noted this spring that Pacific Coast salmon activity has been sharply sensitive to water temperature swings, with California operators observing significant behavior shifts tied to just a few degrees of change — a pattern Oregon Coast anglers should keep in mind when nearshore upwelling occurs. Spring Chinook, Pacific halibut, and black rockfish are all seasonally on schedule at these temperatures. Verify current ODFW regulations before heading out, as season dates and bag limits vary by area.
Spring Chinook in stride on the Columbia & Rogue as May warmth arrives
Water temperature at USGS gauge 14211720 hit 64°F on May 18, a reading squarely in the band that activates spring Chinook movement and puts Columbia smallmouth bass on the prowl. Flow registered 15,000 cfs — a meaningful spring push that keeps fish traveling but retains enough fishable structure along seams and eddies. Angler-intel feeds specific to the Columbia and Rogue drainages were sparse this week; IFish.net Fishing Reports traffic centered on lost gear along the Columbia corridor with no bite accounts surfacing from mainstem or tributary runs. In the absence of direct on-water testimony, conditions are assessed against mid-May seasonal norms: spring Chinook are the headline target on both systems, the American shad wave is building toward its typical late-May–June Columbia peak, and 64°F water makes rocky structure along the lower Columbia prime real estate for aggressive smallmouth. Verify current run counts and regulations before heading out.
Red drum surge onto Hatteras beaches as spring surf bite ignites
Red drum have arrived in force along the Hatteras shoreline. Ryan of Hatteras Jack — via Fisherman's Post (NC) — reports the surf action has "come alive," with drum making a strong push onto the beaches and anglers catching good numbers along the stretch. NOAA buoy 41025, positioned off Diamond Shoals at Cape Hatteras, logged 80°F water temps, helping concentrate baitfish schools tight to the beach and putting feeding drum within casting range. Bluefish are also in the mix, with adjacent Fisherman's Post (NC) coastal reports noting plenty of good-sized fish working the area. Offshore, South Atlantic red snapper access has been significantly expanded for 2026 under newly approved exempted fishing permits covering North Carolina waters, per Sport Fishing Mag. Seas are running 3 feet at the Diamond Shoals buoy with moderate breezes — workable surf conditions for anglers targeting the productive Hatteras beach face.
Shad spawn ignites NC Piedmont bass as Roanoke striper window narrows
MLF News reports Mount Airy's Troy Watson winning the Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on High Rock Lake with a shad spawn pattern — a 20-pound, 6-ounce limit built on an early-morning bite that's representative of what NC Piedmont impoundments are producing right now. The shad spawn trigger is a reliable mid-May signal on the Catawba chain as well, pushing largemouth onto shallow creek arms and main-lake points. USGS gauge 02142900 shows the watershed running at just 2.06 cfs — extremely low tributary flow that signals clear, low conditions. Expect spookier fish in the shallows and a premium on finesse rigs and lighter line. On the Roanoke, the celebrated spring striped bass run is entering its final stretch: the peak push of spawning fish typically clears the upper river by mid-May, with fish beginning to drop back toward deeper structure in Kerr Reservoir. Check NCWRC slot and size regs before keeping any stripers.
Big Stripers Firing Island-Wide as Fluke and Sea Bass Season Opens
Water temps of 56–57°F per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065, and the Long Island striper bite is firing on all cylinders from the surf to the back bays. Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle (per The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore) called the past week "one for the books," with solid schools working the bays and beaches responding to swim shads, SPs, and bucktails. Out east, The Fisherman — Long Island East End correspondent Matt Broderick reports steady Montauk action with slot fish and occasional larger bass on diamond jigs, bucktails, and surface plugs from both boat and surf. River Bay Outfitters (West End) notes big fish keying on bunker, sand eels, and spearing — early mornings and moving tides delivering the most consistent shots at trophy class fish. Fluke season is officially open, and Sea Rogue Charters (West End) put four anglers on nine bay keepers Saturday. Porgies are running strongly at Shinnecock, and black sea bass season opened May 16 with South Shore wrecks already producing.
Spring stripers dominate Jersey Shore as sea bass season sputters open
Water readings of 56°F from NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 capture the mid-May state of the Jersey Shore: cold enough to hold striped bass locked in tight, but not yet warm enough to ignite sea bass or fluke. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) calls the striper action 'the best Striper Fishing possible,' and Fishermans HQ LBI confirms fish are 'cruising the surf and feeding' from the island's north end to south end, with fresh clam leading the charge. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports fishing is 'firing on all cylinders' along the Delaware Bayfront, with oversize stripers to 46 inches and black drum now mixing in on clam and bloodworm baits. NJ Fish & Wildlife News confirms black sea bass season opened May 15, but Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ and multiple Northern NJ party boats report the bite is essentially a no-show so far, waiting on warmer water. A Memorial Day warm-up is the swing variable poised to change that.
Tidal Delaware stripers running strong as shad season winds toward close
The tidal Delaware River is serving up solid striper action from the Trenton area south through Lambertville and into the tidewater reach, per Old School Outdoors in Ewing as reported by The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater. Shad remain in the mix but are expected to start winding down at the turn of June — making the next 10 days the prime window for targeting both species in the same corridor. USGS gauge 01408000 places the Toms River at a lean 25.8 cfs, consistent with the dry stretch Tackle World flagged: falling water levels are expected into June unless the region sees meaningful rain. Crappie fishing has been good across NJ lakes and ponds through the first half of May, with fish beginning to school up toward summer haunts around bridges and pilings. Largemouth are on the spawning beds. In the Pine Barrens cedar waters, pickerel remain active per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater. A warming trend rolling into Memorial Day weekend should nudge the overall bite upward.