Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Central MA Trout Fishing Holds as Largemouth Bass Lock Into Spawn
On May 13, angler Rod Teehan reported to The Fisherman — New England Freshwater that he marked large numbers of brook and rainbow trout over deep water at Hampton (Pequot) Pond in Westfield, Massachusetts, landing three brookies and three rainbows in two hours of trolling — including fish that hit a Bobby Garland Baby Shad on the surface. The bite held through cold, rainy skies and a light northeast wind, a promising sign that stocked fish remain in play across Massachusetts ponds heading into late May. On the bass side, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that largemouths across the region have entered spawn mode and are now "trickier to entice than they were in prespawn," with fish sitting defensively on beds rather than feeding actively. Two Central MA USGS gauges checked in at 15.5 cfs (gauge 01105500) and 90.4 cfs (gauge 01111500) this morning — stable late-spring flows with no notable flood stress. Water temperatures were not recorded by either gauge this cycle.
Black drum active and striper push rolling through Bay waters
Water temperatures are sitting at 57°F per NOAA buoy 44009, and the past week along the Delaware-Maryland coastal zone has been dominated by sustained winds and small craft advisories. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake correspondent Eric Burnley reported on May 17 that open-water fishing was largely pushed to brief windows between weather systems, with the best sessions coming from beaches and inlet access points. The good news: black drum are in. Smith's Bait Shop confirms fish are holding at the Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach and at Broadkill Beach, hitting sand fleas and clams at dusk. On the striper front, On The Water's May 12 migration report noted that 50-pound-class Chesapeake stripers are now staging off New Jersey and Long Island — the big spring run has crested and is pushing north. Light winds at the buoy today suggest the calmer window anglers have been waiting for is finally arriving.
Pelagic season builds across Hawaiian waters as trade winds hold steady
NOAA buoys across the Hawaiian Islands logged water temperatures of 75–79°F on May 18, with trade winds registering 7–9 meters per second — conditions consistent with the opening of Hawaii's prime summer pelagic window. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official fishing-record and tide-calendar resource, underscores the importance of moon and tide timing for serious Hawaiian anglers; the current waxing crescent phase tends to favor productive daytime offshore trolling more than peak nighttime nearshore feeding windows. Angler-intel feeds this week returned limited Hawaii-specific on-the-water reporting, so species assessments below draw on seasonal norms rather than direct captain or tackle-shop testimony. With sea surface temperatures now in the mid-to-upper 70s, blue marlin and yellowfin tuna (ahi) should be building along the deep blue-water contours offshore. Mahi-mahi (dorado) and ulua (giant trevally) remain reliable staple targets for the trolling fleet and nearshore anglers respectively as conditions continue to warm toward peak season.
Post-spawn bass going deep as Georgia heat builds on the Savannah
The Savannah River is running at 4,720 cfs at USGS gauge 02197000 as of May 18, with levels falling from recent elevated readings — a positive sign for water clarity heading into the weekend. GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News (Joshua Barber, May 10 report) flagged that hot weather is arriving across the region and fish are beginning to push into deeper water; the Savannah at Clyo stood at 3.6 feet and falling as of May 14 per that same report. Largemouth bass have been the standout story across Georgia this spring: Georgia Wildlife Blog documented an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken on a spinner bait in Morgan County during post-rain conditions, and the 2026 GHSA Bass Fishing State Championship at Lake Sinclair (May 9) drew 111 anglers with a five-fish limit earning the crown. Crappie that were stacked in 3–8 feet around structure during the late-April spawn per Georgia Wildlife Blog are likely shifting to slightly deeper brush as water temperatures climb through mid-May.
Pre-spawn snook fire up as blackfin tuna flood Florida's Atlantic waters
Snook Nook's May 2026 report out of Stuart calls this 'one of the best months for inshore fishing on the Treasure Coast,' with snook activity heating up ahead of the pre-spawn — slot-sized and over-slot fish making regular appearances in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna flooding South Florida's Atlantic waters from the Keys to Palm Beach, noting May through July is peak season for these hard-fighting fish on live bait, dead bait, and lures. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider highlights big tarpon action unfolding across the state, consistent with late-spring migratory timing on the Atlantic side. On the regulatory front, CCA Florida and Sport Fishing Mag both confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits give Florida anglers a significantly expanded 2026 recreational red snapper season in the South Atlantic. Warm air temperatures near 80°F and variable winds are keeping offshore conditions workable.
Tarpon Migration Peaks as Permit and Kings Stack Up on the Naples Gulf Coast
Water temps at 78°F (NOAA buoy 42036) have signaled peak late-spring conditions on Florida's Gulf Coast, and the fishing is delivering. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting silver kings on morning sessions as fish push through the Naples corridor — jumping and landing quality fish consistently. Afternoons pivot to permit, where sight-fishing large fish has been excellent. Kingfish are steady, with good action throwing plugs and flies, while cobia and amberjacks have been rounding out offshore runs. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report corroborates big tarpon action across the state. Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as prime time for gag and scamp grouper on ledges and wrecks holding cigar minnows and sardines. Offshore seas are running 3.3–3.6 feet, manageable with the right weather window. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters puts it plainly: conditions are "as good as it gets for this time of year."
CT striper fishing peaks: May new moon ignites Long Island Sound bite
Water temps of 55–56°F at NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 have Long Island Sound right in the wheelhouse for spring striped bass, and the bite is delivering. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, the May new moon supercharged striper activity across the Sound and its tributaries, drawing fish onto a broad buffet of squid, bunker, mackerel, herring, silversides, and rain bait. Fisherman's World described the week as simply "bass, bass, bass," with fish spread from inshore flats to deep-water structure. Bobby J's noted the inshore bite currently outpaces the deep reefs, though outgoing tide windows at depth are worth targeting. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle reported artificials — flies included — keeping easy pace with live bait as big fish hammered the shallows on tidal cues. Rock and Roll Charters kicked off their season this past weekend. Per On The Water, the spring migration has now extended all the way to Maine, confirming a full-coast push in progress.
Fresh Salmon River stockings and shad run headline CT's mid-May freshwater push
Fresh stockings hit the Salmon River TMA and TTA sections as recently as May 13, and at least one angler fishing the river reported landing 'as many trout as he wanted' on stockies, according to Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown. Connecticut River mainstem temperatures are reading 58°F with flows at 37,600 cfs (USGS gauge 01184000) — warm enough to pull shad and carp into the corridor, which Fishin' Factory 3 customers are now actively targeting. On the bass front, largemouths are deep into the spawn and turning 'trickier to entice than they were in prespawn,' per Fishin' Factory 3, while Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports that both largemouth and smallmouth activity at Saugatuck Reservoir 'keeps steadily improving,' with shiners and Keitech swimbaits the standout producers. The smaller interior gauge at USGS 01193500 shows 99.6 cfs — modest, walkable spring levels on lower-gradient tributaries statewide.
Trout seek soft water as Colorado River surges through spring runoff
The USGS gauge at site 09095500 is logging the Colorado River at 3,560 cfs and 56°F as of May 18 — a reading that captures this season in two numbers. Water temperatures are well within the productive trout range, but flows are running high with snowmelt, pushing fish off open lies and into softer edges, tributary mouths, and structure-laden inside bends. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) called this winter's snowpack "historic for all the wrong reasons," yet noted that anglers always find the silver lining; a shorter runoff pulse is the potential upside of a low-snow year. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) described the Colorado near Glenwood-Rifle as "sensational" back in late April at roughly 1,380 cfs — flows have since more than doubled. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) has flagged an unusually warm spring, with midge and BWO hatches rolling earlier than normal and a caddis transition now underway.
Salmon conditions improve below Pigeon Point as Central Coast temps cool
Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, working out of Half Moon Bay, reported 'vastly improved salmon conditions' below Pigeon Point this week, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater — crediting a four-degree water temperature drop from 58°F to 54°F. NOAA buoys confirm the cool-water trend across the Central Coast: buoy 46042 reads 51°F, buoy 46026 sits at 50°F, while buoy 46028 farther south logs 58°F, confirming a sharp thermal gradient along the coast. Wave heights are running significant at 8.9 feet at buoys 46042 and 46028, so smaller vessels should check bar and harbor conditions carefully before departure. Winds are moderate at 5–9 m/s across the region. Rockfish and nearshore halibut are typical Central Coast targets alongside salmon this time of year, though no direct charter or shop intel on those species came through this cycle — anglers should check local marinas for current deck counts and conditions.
Spring snowmelt peaks on the Kenai as king salmon season closes in
USGS gauge 15266300 puts the Kenai system at 2,720 cfs and 42°F as of 8:00 a.m. on May 18 — cold, high-volume conditions consistent with active spring snowmelt across south-central Alaska. No specific angler-intel feeds covered the Kenai or interior rivers this cycle, so this report draws on gauge data and established seasonal patterns. At 42°F, fish metabolism supports active feeding, but the cold, off-color water rewards slow, bottom-hugging presentations — weighted streamers, egg imitations, or dead-drifted beads will outperform faster retrieves. Resident rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char remain the most accessible targets while the major salmon runs build. Interior road-system rivers are typically cleaner and shallower at this stage, offering better Arctic grayling action than the turbid main-stem Kenai right now. The Early Run king salmon season on the Kenai typically gets underway in late May; current conditions are consistent with a normal timetable, though elevated flows will delay peak clarity. Check state regulations before heading out.
Bass Pushing Deeper as Bluegill Spawn Peaks on Georgia's Savannah Chain
GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News (May 10 report) signals the seasonal turn: hot weather is arriving across Georgia's major lakes and bass are beginning to retreat toward deeper structure. The Savannah at Clyo stood at 3.6 feet and falling as of May 14, consistent with USGS gauge 02192000's current 425 cfs — moderate, stabilizing flows through the Hartwell-Russell chain. Georgia Wildlife Blog documented a productive spring crappie run through April, with fish stacking in 3–8 feet around brush piles, docks, and fallen timber as water temperatures warmed. For bass, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now underway across the Southeast — a narrow window that draws big largemouth into shallow cover and triggers aggressive strikes on topwater and frog patterns before summer heat fully pushes them deep. No water temperature reading is available from the current gauge data, but seasonal trajectory points clearly toward the early-summer transition.
Brown trout prime time as Driftless hatches build toward peak mid-May
USGS gauge 05407000 on the Wisconsin River logged 62°F this morning, placing Driftless spring creeks squarely in the prime brown trout feeding window. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday this week spotlighted Root River Rod Co's go-to Driftless streamer — a pine squirrel jig built to bounce the rocky bottom without hanging up in tight, technical spring flows — a strong indication that streamers are earning their keep right now. MidCurrent's current fly-tying lineup also emphasizes full water-column coverage as hatches begin to fire, with surface-film CDC patterns and nymph rigs both in play. Hatch Magazine's ongoing coverage of caddis emergences is well-timed: mid-May is when caddis typically peaks on Driftless limestone streams, and evening rises with actively feeding fish are possible now. New Moon conditions favor the low-light transitions at dawn and dusk. Regional gauge flows are elevated at 10,400 cfs; check individual stream clarity before committing to a wade.
Spring flows surge on the Penobscot as Moosehead's togue and salmon season peaks
The USGS gauge on the upper Penobscot (site 01030500) logged 3,130 cfs this morning — snowmelt runoff is still pushing hard through northern Maine's interior drainages, with no water temperature reading available from the gauge. Direct on-the-water reports for Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot corridor are absent from this week's intel feeds. The closest Maine signal comes from On The Water, whose May 15 striper migration map notes migratory fish have arrived in Maine, confirming the seasonal push is advancing on schedule statewide. Inland, mid-May at Moosehead is traditionally prime time for togue (lake trout) as fish transition off spawning structure, and brook trout action in tributary inlet streams typically peaks in this window. Landlocked salmon are a May staple on the lake as well. High flows make river wading challenging right now; stillwater on Moosehead is the smarter bet while the Penobscot system drains down.
Champlain Smallmouth in Prespawn as Landlocked Salmon Remain Active
Water temperature at USGS gauge 04294500 reads 47°F as of May 18 — the classic prespawn threshold for Lake Champlain smallmouth bass, with landlocked salmon still operating comfortably in that cold range. No Lake Champlain-specific field reports surfaced in this week's feeds, so the picture here is assembled from gauge data and broad regional intel. At 47°F, smallmouth are typically staging on rocky transitional structure — points, shoals, and drop-offs adjacent to eventual spawning flats — feeding actively ahead of the push toward shallower water. Tactical Bassin, covering clear-water Great Lakes-type fisheries, notes that prespawn smallmouth school together and respond well to swimbaits and finesse rigs when covering water quickly. Landlocked salmon remain in their prime comfort zone below 55°F and should be actively chasing smelt and alewife in the mid-column. The new moon tonight eliminates ambient light, likely concentrating feeding windows at dawn and dusk.
Smokies trout in prime window as May hatches and temps align
USGS gauge 03512000 is reading 62°F on the western NC drainages this morning — right in the heart of the trout comfort zone — with flows at 191 cfs offering clear, wadeable conditions across the Smokies watershed. Mid-May is when caddis and sulphur activity traditionally peaks on these mountain streams, and warmer spring temperatures appear to be nudging those hatches earlier than usual; Gink and Gasoline recently noted that unusual warmth is pulling sulphur and Light Cahill emergences ahead of their normal late-April to May window on comparable mountain water. MidCurrent's current fly-tying coverage zeroes in on surface-to-film patterns — caddis emergers, CDC spent-wings, and soft-hackle wets — which maps directly to what should be productive in the Smokies right now. Tonight's New Moon keeps overhead light minimal, concentrating evening hatch activity. Drought conditions flagged across the broader Southeast by Flylords Mag are worth monitoring, though current gauge readings remain workable.
Black Drum and Stripers Rolling the Delaware Bay on the Spring New Moon
NOAA buoy 44009 put Delaware Bay water temperature at 58°F on May 18, placing conditions squarely in the prime spring window. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports a "phenomenal week" of surf fishing across NJ beaches, with a surprise wave of black drum mixing into the striper bite along the surf and bayfront. Per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, Boulevard Bait & Tackle confirmed a 51-inch bass from the surf and black drum to 38 inches eating fresh and salted clams; Fin-Atics added back-bay flounder to 20 inches on live minnows and strip baits. New Jersey's black sea bass season opened May 15 with a 12.5-inch minimum and 10-fish bag limit through June 21 — verify current state regulations — per The Fisherman (Northeast). With today's new moon, The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf flags tidal windows as prime for weakfish along bay and inlet edges, a Delaware Bay specialty worth targeting before this window passes.
Big stripers dominate upper Buzzards Bay as spring run peaks
Schools of oversize striped bass—reportedly very few below 37 inches—are crushing a topwater bite across upper Buzzards Bay, per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands. The action stretches west toward Fairhaven and east toward the Cape Cod Canal, with shops and captains reporting fish from slots to jumbos breaking on bait. Westport River Outfitters notes bass are coming over the rail in "very good numbers," though finding legal slot fish has been the main challenge. Water readings of 52–56°F (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) put the bay squarely in the striper feeding window. Today's New Moon sets up maximum tidal swing and peak rip-line action across the region. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands also reports tautog fishing "very good and getting better" around Canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light. Scup schools are just arriving, with huge concentrations expected on rock piles from West Island to Wareham.
Late-May prime for Yakima trout as Eastern WA smallmouth enter pre-spawn
USGS gauge 12484500 logged the Yakima River at 1,970 cfs at 5:15 a.m. this morning — a moderate late-spring flow that keeps the river accessible to wading anglers targeting rainbow trout in eddies and pocket water. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks stocking activity across Eastern Washington lakes and streams, with late May typically representing peak placement on many interior stillwaters. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin's western-fisheries breakdown identifies this pre-spawn window in clear-water western reservoirs as among the most productive times to target big smallmouth, with fish schooling up and covering water aggressively before committing to beds. The New Moon underway eliminates surface glare and extends low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk — historically among the most reliable conditions of the season for both species. Water temperature data was not available from gauge telemetry this morning; verify current levels and be cautious of fast spring current before wading.
Big Tarpon Running Tampa Bay Passes as Late-Spring Gulf Bite Builds
Two NOAA Gulf buoys are clocking 78–79°F — textbook temperature for one of Florida's most sought gamefish right now. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report (S22 E7) flags big tarpon action across the state, putting Tampa Bay passes and Sarasota-area beaches squarely in play. May is the peak of the migration window, with fish stacking through the passes on incoming tides and along beaches at night. Inshore, Snook Nook's May report from Stuart, Florida describes late-spring snook fishing "heating up" as fish enter pre-spawn mode — a pattern that typically mirrors Gulf coast timing around Tampa Bay's mangrove shorelines and bridge pilings. On the nearshore bottom, Saltwater Sportsman's Tampa Bay hogfish feature details a flourishing rod-and-reel fishery on Gulf hard bottom and wrecks, with that orange-and-brown wrasse drawing growing interest for both the fight and the table. Winds near 14 knots at both buoy stations suggest choppy afternoons; early-morning departures will find smoother conditions.
Western Basin Walleye in Prime Post-Spawn Feeding Window
NOAA buoy 45005 logged 57°F lake surface water on May 18 — squarely inside the prime feeding range for Erie walleye — alongside light 11-mph winds and pleasant air temps near 63°F. With the Western Basin spawn cycle typically wrapping in late April through early May, fish are now dispersing from their rocky shoal staging areas and transitioning toward summer offshore feeding patterns. Fishing the Midwest flags slow trolling as the classic spring walleye approach as fish scatter across structure. The Michigan Sportsman Forum reflects active regional angler interest in walleye this week, with at least one member asking for real-time river color and depth intel — a sign the bite is on anglers' minds even if on-the-water reports are thin. A new moon phase on May 18 adds a tactical edge: Erie walleye are well-known to activate during low-light periods coinciding with new and full moon cycles. No specific Western Basin charter or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this data pull — corroborate with a local source before making the run.
Striped Bass Hit Peak Spring Form at the Chesapeake Mouth
Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and rocky structure throughout Virginia's tidal systems — a strong signal the season has reached its stride at the Chesapeake mouth. OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration update confirms the wider picture: 50-pound-class stripers that had been staging in Chesapeake waters are now tracking north through New Jersey and Long Island ahead of the new moon, meaning the post-spawn flush of big fish is in full motion. NOAA buoy 44009 logged light winds of 3 m/s and air temperatures near 61°F on Monday morning; no water temperature reading was available at time of report. The new moon on May 18 generates spring tides with amplified tidal range and stronger current, which concentrates bait on structure and can produce sharp feeding windows at the tide changes. Weakfish are starting to appear across mid-Atlantic nearshore waters per Saltwater Edge Blog, offering a secondary target for inshore anglers working the bay mouth.
Santee Cooper Largemouth Surge Post-Elite Series — Post-Spawn Bite Fully On
Chris Johnston just won the 2026 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with 113 pounds, 12 ounces over four days, per B.A.S.S. News — the clearest possible signal that Santee's post-spawn largemouth bite is fully engaged. Johnston's winning pattern centered on the Coike and other urchin-style soft plastics, baits that drew competitive lines at the Classic before tournament week even began. Runner-up Brandon Palaniuk and third-place Drew Cook (72-1) both remained productive in heavy cover through Championship Sunday in Clarendon County. USGS gauge 02160390 on the Broad River reads 117 cfs this morning, pointing to stable, low-normal inflow into the Santee watershed — favorable for water clarity and predictable current seams. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes the bluegill spawn is running in full swing across Southern reservoirs right now, a proven trigger for topwater frog and heavy-cover action on big largemouth. Tonight's New Moon compresses the best feeding into low-light dawn windows.
Stripers, Squid, and Tog All Firing as Narragansett Bay's Spring Push Peaks
Water at 54°F (NOAA buoy 44097) and the Narragansett Bay fishery is hitting its stride. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports quality stripers being caught inside the bay by both boat and surf anglers this week — bass keying on adult bunker and herring, responding best to larger soft plastics and topwater plugs. The Frances Fleet, per The Fisherman (Rhode Island), ran a productive squid trip Friday and has added squid dates to their calendar, with squid now spreading from the islands toward the mainland beaches. Tautog are improving steadily in the bay and around the islands, with The Fisherman (Northeast) noting the tog bite remains strong across Rhode Island. That same regional forecast calls the wider New England striper run 'supercharged,' with fish in the 40-pound class now entering area waters. On The Water's May 15 migration map confirms the push has fully extended through the Northeast — arriving right alongside today's New Moon.