Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Mutton Spawn Peaks and Blackfin Tuna Flood Keys Offshore
ALL IN Key West charters are reporting mutton snappers 'chewing like crazy' during the May lunar spawn, with yellowtail described as 'practically jumping in the boat' on recent reef runs. Per Sport Fishing Mag, May through July is prime time for blackfin tuna off South Florida — these hard-fighting fish flood offshore waters from the Keys up to Palm Beach, responding well to live bait, kite-fishing, and trolling. Gulf-side trips out of Key West have also produced grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish (ALL IN Key West). Mahi-mahi and sailfish remain in the mix as strong Gulfstream currents push through the region. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is flagging tarpon action building statewide, with Keys flats entering their peak migration window. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 put air temps near 83°F with moderate winds in the 13–16 knot range; the most recent Keys-area water temp reading (buoy 41114, late April) showed 78°F, with conditions likely warmer since.
Bluegill Spawn Puts Hill Country Largemouth on Topwater
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Texas lakes — the prime trigger that drives largemouth bass shallow into heavy cover for the year's most productive topwater window. On Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan, that means frog and walk-the-dog baits worked around hard structure at dawn and dusk. Colorado River flow is sitting at a moderate 173 cfs at Austin per USGS gauge 08158000, indicating stable release levels from Travis and steady lake conditions across the Hill Country chain through this key post-spawn transition. LakeForkGuy notes the post-spawn crappie bite is at its most aggressive of the year, with fish schooled tight on submerged structure after moving off the beds. Lone Star Outdoor News confirms 2026 has shaped up as a record year for Texas anglers broadly — a positive backdrop for the Hill Country fishery. Direct shop or charter intel specific to Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan is limited this reporting cycle; species assessments reflect seasonal patterns and regional sources where direct attribution is unavailable.
Salmon bite heats up as cool upwelling water settles across the NorCal coast
Water at NOAA buoy 46026 is holding at 50°F off the Farallones as of May 18, and the cooling trend is paying dividends for salmon anglers. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing is seeing 'vastly improved salmon conditions' below Pigeon Point after water temps fell from 58°F to 54°F since the April 11 season opener — and our Farallones buoy now reads colder still. Davis noted that 'the bonita took a hike' with the temperature shift, a clear signal the bite has swung away from warm-water species toward Chinook. Winds are running at 9 m/s on buoy 46013 near Bodega with air temps around 52°F, so skippers should assess conditions before committing to offshore runs. Rockfish and Bay halibut remain productive nearshore alternatives for anyone looking to stay inside during breezy afternoons.
Early Tuna and Yellowtail Push Into SoCal on Warm Water Anomaly
Water temps of 63–64°F across the LA Bight — confirmed by NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221 — are running markedly above historical norms for mid-May, and the bite is reflecting it. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that bluefin, yellowfin, and an albacore (the first San Diego fleet albacore in years, gaffed April 30 aboard the Tribute out of Mission Bay) have pushed into day-trip range southwest of San Diego, with yellowtail and early dorado mixed in on 2- and 3-day runs further south. The offshore warmth appears broad and persistent; WON also notes water temps running as much as 10°F above seasonal averages, with El Niño-adjacent conditions driving the anomaly. On the beach, Surf Fishing in So Cal reports that May "has delivered" after a mixed April, with corbina and leopard shark active along SoCal beachfronts and the season's best surf fishing potentially still ahead. Winds are near calm, and swell is running around 4.3 ft per buoy 46221.
Northwoods walleye-musky double-opener kicks off amid cold spring water
Water temps in the Minocqua-area lakes were hovering in the 48–50°F range through early May, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop, keeping most species scattered and fishing 'up and down' by the shop's own account. Notably, 2026 marks the first time since the early 1980s that Wisconsin's musky opener aligned with the walleye opener — both going statewide on May 2 — giving Northwoods anglers an unusual simultaneous shot at two marquee species right out of the gate. Cold fronts have continued to reset progress, and Rollie & Helen's reports that anglers need to earn their early-season follows from muskies. Emergent cabbage and coontail beds in Vilas and Oneida counties are filling in, which will concentrate baitfish and draw fish into predictable ambush zones. Glide baits worked deliberately over developing weed edges and finesse presentations are what Rollie & Helen's recommends for musky; for walleye, jigs and live-bait rigs on depth transitions remain the foundational approach as fish gradually pull off their scattered post-opener funk.
May hatches firing on UP streams; Lake Superior whitefish gaining steam
USGS gauge 04059500 recorded 394 cfs across a key Upper Peninsula drainage on May 18 — flows are elevated by spring snowmelt but fishable for anglers willing to work the eddies and soft edges. No water temperature was returned from this gauge. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing reports a popular and growing whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay area, a strong signal that the broader lake system is warming and active through May. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report did not return usable conditions data this cycle. Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergences are beginning to fire across Great Lakes region trout streams at this time of year — a cue to rig soft-hackle wets and carry dries in #14–16. Streamers remain a workhorse for brown trout holding in any remaining off-color water. The waxing crescent moon keeps nights dark, pushing feeding windows toward the low-light bookends of the day.
Lake Huron smallmouth in prespawn mode as walleye spread post-spawn
Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth breakdown this week confirms the prespawn is underway — fish schooling tightly on rocky transitions and responding to swimbaits and reaction baits in the clear water that defines much of Lake Huron's northern basin. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report feed returned only a browser-support notice this cycle, providing no official conditions update, and USGS gauge 04157000 on the Tittabawassee River came back with no current readings, leaving Saginaw Bay tributary flow and temperature unconfirmed by instrument. Regional Midwest sources still paint a consistent mid-May picture: Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch highlights shallow flats as productive for early-season mixed bags — crappie, bass, and walleye — while AnglingBuzz and Jason Mitchell Outdoors both published shallow-walleye trolling content consistent with post-spawn scatter on Great Lakes structure. Yellow perch should be active in Saginaw Bay's warmer shallows, though no source confirmed specific catch numbers this week. No charter or tackle-shop intel for this region came through in the current feed.
Smallmouth Firing on Topwater as Lake Michigan Salmon Begin to Stage
The Grand River is pushing 3,860 cfs at the Lake Michigan confluence as of May 18 (USGS gauge 04119000), offering fishable spring flows heading into Memorial Day weekend. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this period. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Great Lakes fisheries — a reliable trigger that pushes post-spawn bass into shallow cover. Big smallmouth and largemouth are responding to topwater frogs and walking baits over matted weeds and rocky points. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented record coho salmon harvests in 2024 (210,000+) and the highest Chinook tallies since 2012 (160,000+), reflecting strong alewife baitfish cycles that carry meaningful momentum into this season. Mid-May is traditionally a transition window for late-run steelhead dropping back through the Grand River corridor toward open water. Check local regulations and conditions before heading out.
Prime Sulphur window opens on PA's limestone spring creeks
USGS gauge 01546500 in the Centre County watershed logged 76.3 cfs at midday May 18 — a moderate-to-low reading consistent with the regional drought Flylords Mag recently described as gripping much of the Mid-Atlantic. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge; limestone aquifer-fed streams like Spring Creek and Penns Creek typically hold in the low-to-mid 50s through mid-May regardless of air temperature swings. Calendar-wise, this is the heart of the Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea) hatch on both streams, with evening emergences drawing surface-feeding wild browns and spinner falls that trail into dusk. Gink and Gasoline noted earlier this spring that unseasonably warm weather can push Sulphur and Light Cahill timing ahead by weeks on spring creeks — worth monitoring if the warm trend has persisted. Check PA Fish & Boat Commission's Biologist Reports for any stocking updates specific to these waters before making the trip.
High Allegheny Flows Push Bass to the Margins as Bluegill Spawn Peaks
The USGS gauge at site 03036500 put the Allegheny at 21,400 cfs as of Monday afternoon, May 18 — a substantial spring surge compressing fishable structure through the Pittsburgh corridor. No water temperature reading was returned by the gauge today, so a streamside check is advisable before settling on presentation depth. Smallmouth bass, now in post-spawn transition, have been pushed tightly into eddies, bank irregularities, and any slack zone offering relief from the main push. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing, which keys opportunistic bass into shallow, hard-bottom ambush spots; topwater and frog presentations over heavier cover are the recommended play where current speed allows. Walleye and sauger are holding near current seams and tailwater ledges in their typical high-flow strongholds. PA Fish & Boat — Biologist Reports carries current stocking updates and slot-size regulations for specific reaches on this stretch.
Presque Isle window opens as Erie walleye and smallmouth stage up
NOAA buoy 45005 put Lake Erie surface water at 59°F on Monday evening under near-flat conditions — waves under a foot and winds barely above a breeze — opening one of the better boat windows of the late-spring calendar. Tactical Bassin highlights prespawn Great Lakes smallmouth as actively schooling right now in clear water, with swim baits and reaction presentations as the standout approach for covering staging fish quickly. Jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs remain reliable walleye presentations as post-spawn fish transition to feeding structure, a pattern Fishing the Midwest notes has proven consistent across Midwest walleye fisheries. USGS gauge 04213000 logged 179 cfs in the tributary network, suggesting manageable stream flows for any late-season steelhead still holding in Erie-area creeks — though that fishery typically winds down by Memorial Day. PA Sea Grant has been actively engaging Northwestern Pennsylvania anglers on Round Goby management in the Lake Erie watershed, underscoring how this invasive species continues to shape forage dynamics across the system.
WA Spring Fisheries Gain Momentum as Calm Conditions Settle In
NOAA buoy 46041 logged 5 m/s winds and an air temperature of 53°F offshore on the evening of May 18, with buoy 46087 even lighter at 3 m/s and 51°F — a benign setup heading into the weekend. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both stations this cycle. Direct angler intel for Puget Sound and the Washington Pacific coast is sparse in this update; WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel and stocking activity but no catch-specific data came through this cycle. WA Sea Grant researchers are actively studying larval forage-fish health in the Salish Sea — a useful indicator of the prey base supporting spring Chinook. For mid-May, seasonal patterns point toward spring Chinook in Puget Sound marine areas, Pacific halibut on outer-coast grounds, and lingcod and rockfish on nearshore structure. Verify current regulations and season status through WA WDFW before heading out.
Spring Chinook and shad building on WA rivers as May run peaks
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 51°F water and 1,210 cfs on the morning of May 18 — a moderate, fishable flow that puts Columbia tributaries squarely in the spring Chinook window. No charter or shop reports specific to these WA drainages arrived in this data cycle, so the live bite picture relies primarily on gauge readings and seasonal timing. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors stocking and angler interviews at access sites statewide — their creel data is the best current indicator of hatchery Chinook retention opportunities before you load up. WA Sea Grant's estuarine monitoring in Grays Harbor documented Pacific tomcod in Crab Team traps in 2025, a notable ecological marker for the region's fish assemblage. Water at 51°F is right at the lower threshold where spring Chinook begin to feed more actively; early mornings and low-light transitions are the prime windows. American shad are building in the lower Columbia as temps trend toward their preferred mid-50s range.
Spring stripers peaking on the tidal Potomac as bass target bluegill spawn
Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog is spotlighting spring striped bass action across Virginia's tidal rivers right now, with fish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky shorelines — the structure that earned them the "rockfish" nickname. The Potomac at USGS gauge 01646500 registered 2,400 cfs at midday Monday, a moderate, fishable level pointing toward reasonable clarity in upper reaches. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, with big largemouth actively working heavy shallow cover and responding well to topwater frogs. On The Water's May 15 striper migration map confirms the spring push has fully extended through the Northeast, meaning the tidal Potomac window remains wide open before fish push further upriver and north. Waxing crescent moon this week favors low-light morning and evening feeding windows. May is historically a peak window for both striped bass and smallmouth in this corridor before summer heat disperses fish.
Spring shad run underway as Vermont's big-water bass approach spawn
The Connecticut River in Vermont is flowing at just 109 cfs (USGS gauge 01135300) as of May 18 — well below typical mid-May levels, signaling that spring runoff has crested and water clarity is improving. On the lower Connecticut in Middletown, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's Fishin' Factory 3 report finds shad, stripers, and carp actively working the main channel this week, with the shad push on track to reach Vermont's stretch of the river in the coming days. Largemouth bass are already in spawn mode downriver — "trickier to entice than they were in prespawn," that source notes — a transition Vermont's cooler-water bass will soon follow. Across New England, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports that bass action "keeps steadily improving" as water warms, with live shiners the top bait and Keitech swimbaits a close second. No Lake Champlain-specific reports arrived this cycle.
Red Drum Pushing South and Expanded Snapper Season Lift Charleston Offshore
Water temperatures logged at 77°F by NOAA buoy 41004 are drawing species into position all along the South Carolina coast. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports red drum making "a strong push onto the beaches" in the Hatteras and Ocracoke zone — a leading indicator of what typically heads toward Charleston Harbor as the season progresses. The same source's Wrightsville Beach correspondent describes Atlantic bonito fishing as "excellent" from the Liberty Ship out to the 5-mile nearshore range. Down toward Swansboro and Emerald Isle, early pompano, black drum, and sea mullet have surfaced in the surf, per Fisherman's Post. Offshore, anglers have expanded access this year: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both confirm that South Carolina is included in newly approved pilot exempted fishing permits providing greatly extended 2026 red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic. With warm water in the upper 70s and light winds, mid-May is arriving with real momentum for Charleston-area anglers.
Susquehanna smallmouth hitting topwater as post-spawn transition opens
USGS gauge 01540500 clocked 64°F water and 16,800 cfs on the Susquehanna at midday May 18, placing the river squarely in the post-spawn bass transition window. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is fully in swing -- a reliable behavioral trigger that pushes big bass into shallow cover for topwater frogs and walking-bait action. Wired 2 Fish reinforces the post-spawn angle, noting fish school tightly at this stage and can produce extended runs of action once located. At 16,800 cfs the river is elevated but fishable; inside bends, eddies, and slack-water seams are the spots to work, especially where current-pushed fish are stacking. For fly fishers, Hatch Magazine's caddis emergence coverage is timely -- 64°F sits right at the upper edge of trout comfort, making early-morning tailwater and spring-fed trib sections the priority window. PA Fish & Boat -- Biologist Reports did not return local field data in the current feed; anglers should verify district-level conditions directly with the Commission.
Spring Chinook Window Opens on the Oregon Coast as Pacific Temps Settle
NOAA buoys off the Oregon Coast registered 55–56°F on May 18, with light-to-moderate offshore winds between 3 and 7 m/s — conditions that fall squarely in spring chinook territory. For regional context, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reported this week that captains working below Pigeon Point, California saw markedly improved salmon action after surface temperatures dropped from 58°F to 54°F, suggesting the cooler Pacific swing running up the coast may be doing similar work off Oregon. Direct local reports from Oregon Coast charter fleets or tackle shops are sparse this cycle; this report leans on buoy readings and seasonal expectations to fill the gap. Rockfish remain a reliable nearshore target through May, and the halibut season is underway. Surf perch anglers working sandy beaches and jetties typically find steady action at this time of year regardless of offshore trends. Verify current openings and bag limits with ODFW before launching.
Catawba largemouth in post-spawn mode; Roanoke striper run enters final stretch
USGS gauge 02142900 recorded a slim 2.17 cfs on May 18 — extremely low flow for a Catawba-system tributary — pointing to lean, concentrated water that pushes fish tightly onto deep channel edges and pool heads. Direct on-water reports for the Catawba chain and Roanoke corridor are limited in this reporting cycle's intel, but the regional picture tracks: mid-May places Catawba largemouth squarely in the post-spawn transition, fish dispersing off beds and beginning to school on adjacent structure. B.A.S.S. News coverage of the recent Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper — the Catawba's downstream watershed extension — shows post-spawn largemouth responding to soft-plastic baits and heavy-cover presentations, with Chris Johnston posting 113 pounds over four days on the Santee system. On the Roanoke, the spring striped bass run is entering its tail end; no striper-specific intel for Roanoke's upper impoundments appeared in this week's feeds, so treat activity as seasonally typical rather than confirmed.
Stocked trout and spawning bass join the striper push in Hudson Valley waters
Water temperatures have hit 64°F at the upper Hudson (USGS gauge 01357500), landing squarely in the prime late-spring window for this region. NY DEC The Fishing Line (Freshwater) confirmed that hatchery crews have been actively transporting and stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout throughout the spring — a strong foundation for tributary fishing across the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. The coolwater sportfish season opened statewide May 1 per DEC, adding walleye and northern pike to the mix just as water temperatures reach their active feeding range. On The Water's May 15 striper migration map reports the spring push has fully extended through the Northeast, meaning Hudson River striped bass should be well into their upriver run. Main-stem flows are elevated — 3,620 cfs at the upper gauge (USGS 01357500) and 9,880 cfs downstream (USGS 01358000) — so tributary mouths and sheltered coves will offer the most productive access for anglers this week.
Spring stripers peak along the Jersey Shore as sea bass season opens
Water temps of 56–57°F at NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 are holding the spring striper run in rare form along the Jersey Shore. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls it the best striper fishing possible right now, and Fishermans HQ LBI rates current surf conditions "as good as it gets," with bass working every cut, bowl, and gutter along Long Beach Island. Fresh clam dominates the bite coast-wide per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, while glide baits and paddle tails are connecting during low-light hours per The Fisherman — Central NJ. Black drum have joined stripers on several beaches — Grumpys Tackle notes 15-to-30-pound fish eating fresh clams in the Seaside Park area. New Jersey's black sea bass season opened around May 15 (check current state regs for size and bag limits), but party-boat captains at Capt Ron's and the Golden Eagle — per The Fisherman — Northern NJ — report a slow opener as cold water keeps fish off structure.
Stripers Active from Trenton to Lambertville as NJ Bass Stack on Spawning Beds
Old School Outdoors, reporting to The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater, is logging good striper catches along the Delaware River's tidal corridor from Trenton down through Lambertville, with that action expected to hold into early June. USGS gauge 01408000 is reading a lean 25.8 cfs as of May 18, echoing the dry pattern Tackle World flagged in The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater: stream levels are falling and will need rain to sustain quality fishing in smaller tributaries. Largemouth bass are firmly on the spawning beds across local lakes and ponds — Dow's Boat Rentals and Tackle World both confirm bedding fish persisting through May and into early June. In the Pine Barrens, JB Kasper reports to The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater that pickerel are still active in the cedar-stained backwaters, crappie fishing has been good all month, and trout continue to bite in the D&R Canal. The shad run on the Delaware mainstem remains catchable but is entering its final weeks.
Truckee trout enter prime late-May transition as snowmelt flows hold moderate
USGS gauge 10311000 logged 497 cfs on the Truckee River as of this morning — a moderate late-May flow driven by continued Sierra Nevada snowmelt. No water temperature data was available from the gauge, and no local shop, charter, or agency reports specific to Truckee or Lake Tahoe appeared in this week's feeds. Drawing on what the broader fly-fishing press is tracking: MidCurrent's current hatch coverage notes that "hatches are beginning to fire and predatory fish are pushing into shallows," a description that maps well onto Sierra freestone conditions at this stage of spring. Hatch Magazine's feature on caddis emergences offers directly applicable technique guidance for rivers running moderate runoff flows. At 497 cfs the Truckee mainstem is fishable but demands wading caution — target slower edge water, seams, and back eddies where trout stage out of the main current push. Confirm current state regulations before heading out.
Spring post-spawn bite opens on Nebraska's Platte and Missouri
USGS gauge 06796000 on the Platte River near Duncan logged 1,790 cfs at midday May 18 — a moderate spring flow that keeps the river accessible for bank and boat anglers alike. Nebraska Game & Parks' "Springing On" dispatch captures the broader mood: the agency reports chasing as much field-and-water time as possible this spring, reflecting generally favorable conditions across the state. No direct species-specific catch reports came through from Nebraska waters in this cycle; what follows draws on established mid-May seasonal patterns for the Platte and Missouri drainages. White bass spring runs typically peak through the second and third weeks of May in Nebraska tailwaters, with fish stacking in current seams and below dam faces. Channel catfish feeding intensifies as water temperatures climb toward the mid-60s. Walleye on the Missouri are in post-spawn recovery and moving toward summer feeding haunts. Fishing the Midwest confirms that shallow presentations and traditional jig-and-live-bait rigs continue to produce across Midwest river systems during this spring transition window.