Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Sandy Hook surf lights up as the bay striper bite transitions to the beaches
Water temperatures at NOAA buoy 44065 reached 55°F on May 17, and the striper action is matching the warmup. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) reports bass 'crushing' on every Raritan Bay trip, while Capt. Pete Wagner — per The Fisherman — Northern NJ — called the past week 'super,' logging fish to 25 pounds with consistent keeper numbers. The center of gravity is shifting: OTW Northern New Jersey's May 14 report notes the bay bite has eased entering the new moon, but Sandy Hook's beaches are compensating. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports the Hook's shores 'lit up' with stripers on bunker chunks, clams, and Jersey Cape Glides. Black drum are turning up as a bonus for clam-soakers along the surf, and the first fluke of the season are showing on drifted killies near North Beach and the Keansburg Pier. Black sea bass season opened May 15.
Big Stripers Breaking on Bait Across Buzzards Bay as Spring Run Peaks
Water temps of 54–56°F across Buzzards Bay (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) are meeting one of the better spring striper runs in recent memory. Charley Soares, writing in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, reports a ripping topwater bite in upper Buzzards Bay, with schools of large stripers — most running 37 inches and up — pushing west toward Fairhaven and east toward the Canal. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters echoes that assessment: fish are coming over the rail in strong numbers, though slot-sized bass are scarce amid all the jumbos. Tautog are clicking in tandem — Red Top Sporting Goods flags a solid tog bite around the Canal openings, West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light. Scup season is just cranking up, with big schools already reported on rock piles from West Island to Wareham. Black sea bass season opened May 16th, giving structure anglers a welcome third option. With new moon tides running, this week is prime time for Buzzards Bay.
Mutton Snapper and Tarpon Headline a Stacked May Bite in the Keys
Mutton snapper are firing in the Florida Keys — ALL IN Key West reports the species 'chewing like crazy' as the May spawn cycle brings fish stacking on outer reef structure. Yellowtail action is equally strong, with the same charter noting they're 'practically jumping in the boat.' The broader offshore bite is well-rounded: Gulf-side trips out of Key West have been producing grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish, with live bait doing most of the work along the reef edge. Inshore and on the flats, Captain Rick Murphy is flagging big tarpon action across Florida, and mid-May puts the Keys squarely at the peak of the spring migration. NOAA buoys at Sombrero Key and Sand Key show winds running 15–17 knots on May 17 — manageable for offshore but worth monitoring for flats sight-fishing. Buoy 41114 pegged water temps at 78°F in late April, with current readings likely warmer.
Improving salmon bite builds along the NorCal coast as cold upwelling locks in
Water at NOAA buoy 46026 is reading 49°F offshore of San Francisco, confirming the deep cold-water upwelling pattern defining NorCal coastal fishing this week. The clearest signal comes from Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, where Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reports 'vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point,' noting water temps cooled from 58°F at the April 11 season opener to around 54°F. Davis credits that four-degree drop with pushing warm-water bonito offshore and resetting the grounds for Chinook. Temperatures appear even colder further north, matching the offshore San Francisco reading at buoy 46026. NOAA buoy 46013 near Bodega is logging sustained northwest winds of 16 m/s — a rougher picture for offshore runs out of the north bay. Today's new moon brings amplified tidal exchanges that typically activate striped bass and halibut inside the Golden Gate.
SoCal Surf Fishing Heats Up as Offshore Tuna Push Within Striking Distance
Both NOAA buoys logged 65°F surface water this weekend — notably warm for the LA Bight in mid-May — and Surf Fishing in So Cal declares that "May has delivered" after a sluggish April, with conditions now "starting to come together in a big way." Corbina and leopard shark are the headline surf targets per Surf Fishing in So Cal's May report, with the corbina run picking up in the swash zone as water temps clear the mid-60s threshold. Offshore, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports bluefin and yellowfin tuna have pushed into 1-day range out of San Diego, with a rare albacore — the first San Diego fleet albacore in years — gaffed April 30 aboard the Tribute out of Mission Bay. Longer-range San Diego trips are also turning up yellowtail and early dorado, per Western Outdoor News. If the warm water mass holds or nudges north, LA Bight and Channel Islands boats could find pelagic action closer to home than a typical May allows.
Post-spawn walleyes active across Saginaw Bay as mid-May transition peaks
Anglers at a "Nets for Vets" event out of Sebewaing reported boating 450 walleyes on May 17 despite "less than ideal conditions," with the top fish hitting 6 pounds; catfish over 15 pounds and a single freshwater drum also showed, per Michigan Sportsman Forum chatter. That single-day haul under suboptimal weather is the most direct local intel available this week — USGS gauge 04157000 returned no flow or temperature data this cycle, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was not successfully retrieved. Taken together, the signal from Sebewaing aligns with what mid-May historically looks like on Saginaw Bay: post-spawn walleye have completed their run up tributary rivers and are scattering across open flats, yellow perch should be staging on offshore reefs, and smallmouth bass are building toward their rocky-shoreline spawn along the Lake Huron coast. Today's New Moon shifts peak activity toward low-light windows — the hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset — rather than midday.
Coho Salmon and Spring Bass on the Move at Lake Michigan's Grand River Mouth
The Grand River is running at 3,940 cfs per USGS gauge 04119000 as of May 17 — elevated for mid-spring — pushing reduced clarity into the lower river and nearshore outlet zone. Direct on-the-water reports for this corridor are thin this week; the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report returned no accessible content at publication time. Looking at the broader lake picture, the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record-breaking 2024 coho harvest exceeding 210,000 fish alongside more than 160,000 Chinook — the strongest Chinook tally since 2012 — signaling robust stocked cohorts entering this season. Tonight's new moon sets up favorable dawn and dusk feeding windows across species. Coho salmon near pier structures and the river mouth is the primary draw at this time of year, while post-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning to rock and gravel structure along the nearshore zone. Treat species outlooks here as seasonally informed estimates pending MI DNR confirmation.
Sulphur hatch priming on PA limestone creeks as flows run lean
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded the Penns Creek drainage at 81.2 cfs Sunday evening — well below median mid-May levels — as Mid-Atlantic drought conditions flagged by Flylords Mag keep these limestone streams low and crystal-clear. The thin water demands stealth and precision: light tippet and long leaders are non-negotiable. Mid-May is the heart of Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea) season on both Spring Creek and Penns Creek, and Gink and Gasoline has written that above-normal spring warmth can push Sulphur and Light Cahill hatches ahead of schedule on spring creeks — worth noting if evening emergences come on early this year. Daytime fishing favors slim nymph profiles through the deeper runs; evenings are all about rising fish keyed to the hatch. Wild brown trout are the primary quarry, and MidCurrent's recent tying coverage highlights spare, low-profile patterns — midge-style and CDC emergers — as the go-to in clear, pressured spring-creek conditions.
Erie walleye in post-spawn feed mode; smallmouth staging ahead of spawn
NOAA buoy 45005 clocked Lake Erie water temperatures at 58°F on May 17, a reading that places walleye firmly in post-spawn recovery and feeding mode and pushes smallmouth bass into the final days of pre-spawn staging. On the Michigan Sportsman Forum, one angler reported "first bites of the year" on largemouth bass near Erie using tube baits — forum chatter at this point, but worth watching if more reports follow. USGS gauge 04213000 measured tributary inflow at 161 cfs, consistent with normal late-spring drainage. The new moon phase this week eliminates ambient light overnight, concentrating active feeding into daytime windows — a favorable pattern for Erie walleye and perch anglers working the early-morning bite. Direct charter or tackle-shop reports were not available in this cycle; the picture below is framed primarily by conditions data and seasonal patterns typical for Pennsylvania's Great Lakes shore.
Erie bass enter prime pre-spawn window as water temps climb in Western NY
Water temperatures reached 59°F on May 17 per USGS gauge 04231600 — right in the sweet spot for pre-spawn smallmouth and largemouth staging across Lake Erie and the Niagara corridor. On the Michigan Sportsman Forum, anglers reported first largemouth bites of the year on tubes in Erie-adjacent water; with no charter or shop corroboration in this cycle, treat that as early-bird chatter rather than confirmed testimony, but it tracks with what 59-degree conditions typically produce here in mid-May. The New Moon phase this weekend suppresses ambient light, tightening the most productive windows to low-light morning and evening sessions for most species. Walleye, which spawn considerably earlier than bass in this system, should be entering post-spawn feeding mode and moving back toward mid-lake structure and ledges. No charter or tackle-shop reports were available in our current pull for this specific stretch — anglers are encouraged to check with local bait shops in Erie County or the Niagara Falls area before launching.
New River smallmouth hit post-spawn stride for mid-May peak
Tactical Bassin's current coverage centers on the post-spawn bass transition — a pattern that maps directly to West Virginia's New River, where smallmouth are pushing off gravel nests and stacking in shallow eddies as May matures. Their reports highlight frog, topwater popper, and chatterbait presentations for bass targeting baitfish in heavy cover, with the bluegill spawn creating prime ambush windows in shallow wood and rock. Fishing the Midwest reinforces the effectiveness of simple, shallow presentations during spring transitions, noting that post-spawn fish tend to school up when located. No USGS gauge readings were available for this update, so current flow and temperature should be confirmed before you launch. Today's new moon (May 17) typically compresses surface feeding into tighter dawn and dusk windows rather than spreading it across the day — plan your topwater sessions accordingly. If conditions allow, early morning along the exposed rock shelves and eddy lines of the New River Gorge section represents one of the best windows of the year.
Spring Chinook and Halibut Poised as New Moon Tides Peak Over Puget Sound
NOAA buoy 46087 recorded a 4 m/s breeze and 51°F air on May 17 over the outer coast, while buoy 46041 showed a stiffer 8 m/s offshore at 53°F — workable Pacific conditions for this time of year. Water temperature data was unavailable from both stations this cycle; mid-May typically sees Puget Sound surface temps climbing toward the low-to-mid 50s°F, so anglers should confirm depth before committing. Tonight's New Moon drives the month's strongest tidal exchanges, concentrating baitfish on current seams and structure edges — the single biggest timing variable for Sound fishing this week. WA WDFW Fishing Reports is the authoritative weekly source for creel data and hatchery stocking updates; specific bite reports were sparse in this data cycle. The seasonal alignment of New Moon tidal energy and mid-May baitfish migration both point toward a productive window for chinook, halibut, and lingcod across Puget Sound and the Pacific coast.
Spring Chinook window opens in Columbia tributaries as temps climb toward prime
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 54°F water and 1,260 cfs flow on May 17 — readings that place Washington's Columbia River tributaries squarely in the opening stretch of the prime spring Chinook window. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms active statewide monitoring and hatchery stocking operations, though specific catch counts from this gauge reach were not available in this cycle. At 54°F, springers typically settle into tailouts and deeper seams; a drifted roe cluster or swung egg-pattern fly are go-to presentations at this temperature band. Smallmouth bass in the Columbia mainstem are entering a pre-spawn transition, moving from wintering holes toward rocky structure as water edges through the mid-50s. Resident rainbow and cutthroat trout benefit from the same stable conditions, with stocked fish accessible in smaller tributaries throughout the drainage. Tonight's New Moon removes lunar brightness from the equation, tending to favor natural-profile presentations during the low-light dawn and dusk windows that typically drive the best freshwater bites this time of year.
Spring stripers schooling on tidal Potomac as post-spawn smallmouth shift shallow
The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass report has rockfish actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and grass beds across Virginia's tidal rivers this week — putting the tidal lower Potomac squarely in play. Virginia DWR fisheries biologists are seeing stripers hugging rocky shorelines and other hard structure, and highlight shore and kayak access as productive delivery methods during the spring push. Our USGS gauge at Little Falls (01646500) shows the Potomac rolling at 2,600 cfs as of Sunday evening — a relatively low, clear-water flow that rewards precise presentations and opens wading access on upper stretches. Further upriver in the non-tidal Potomac and the Shenandoah, the post-spawn transition is underway for smallmouth bass. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is now in full swing nationally, a reliable trigger for topwater strikes on bass holding in shallow, heavy cover. No water temperature reading is available from today's gauge data.
Stripers crushing big baits as squid arrive in Narragansett Bay
Water temps of 53–54°F across offshore buoys (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44097) mark a welcome warm-up for Narragansett Bay, and the fishing has responded. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI)'s May new-moon forecast declares the bay is "loaded with life" — big bass are crushing big baits all over the state, the tautog bite has come to life, and weakfish are starting to show in decent numbers. The Fisherman — Rhode Island reports nice-sized bass being caught inside the bay by both boat and surf anglers, with a south wind earlier this week pushing bait and stripers within surfcaster range; larger soft plastics and topwater plugs have been the ticket, with fish keying on adult bunker and herring. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s May 14 forecast flagged the first real fluke reports of 2026 out of Rhode Island. On the squid front, the Frances Fleet ran a successful squid trip Friday and is adding dedicated squid nights to its calendar, while Booked Off Charters confirms squid are starting to show locally alongside an improving tautog bite.
Oregon Coast Spring Chinook in Range — Watch the Swell Window
Three NOAA buoys pegged water temperatures at 56°F across offshore Oregon Coast stations as of May 17, placing conditions squarely in the temperature band that spring Chinook salmon seek. Building swells of 5.9 to 7.5 feet — recorded at buoys 46002, 46050, and 46029 — are the primary constraint this weekend, restricting safe bar crossings and comfortable offshore runs for most trailer boats. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reported this week that Half Moon Bay's spring salmon fleet is actively finding fish in 54–56°F water below Pigeon Point, a temperature window that typically extends into Oregon coastal waters by mid-May. The new moon on May 17 sets up stronger tidal exchanges over the coming days, which traditionally benefits both salmon and bottomfish bite timing. Anglers planning offshore trips should monitor swell forecasts closely and check bar conditions before launching.
Spring Chinook and steelhead share the Oregon stage as May temperatures warm
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 20,900 cfs and 64°F on Sunday afternoon — a reading that places the Columbia and Rogue systems at the warm edge of prime spring Chinook territory. Salmon are most comfortable in the mid-50s to low 60s, so at 64°F anglers should focus on deeper, cooler holds and plan launches around the predawn window when surface temperatures moderate a few degrees. No charter, tackle shop, or state-agency feed in today's intel payload filed a specific conditions report for the Columbia or Rogue, so this update is grounded in gauge data and established mid-May seasonal patterns for both systems. On the Rogue, the spring Chinook run overlaps with the first push of summer steelhead arriving from the Pacific — a crossover window that makes the next two weeks among the most versatile of the season. The New Moon — darkest nights of the month — sharpens low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk through midweek.
Hudson stripers at peak run as bass season and spring stocking align
Water temps hitting 63°F on the Hudson at Catskill (USGS gauge 01357500) as of May 17 put the river squarely in prime striper territory. On The Water's May 15 migration map confirms the spring push has extended fully through the Northeast, with fish now moving well into the lower and mid-Hudson corridor. The NY DEC coolwater sportfish season has been open since May 1, making walleye, bass, and pike legal targets across the region. NY DEC's April 24 Fishing Line reports active spring stocking of brook, brown, and rainbow trout throughout the state's streams and Finger Lakes tributaries. In a notable development, Wired 2 Fish reports that New York health officials have eased Hudson River fish consumption advisories on select species for the first time in roughly 50 years — a meaningful recovery milestone, though anglers should consult the current NY DEC guidance before keeping any fish.
Jersey Shore Striper Run at Peak as Black Drum Push the Beach
Water temps at 55–56°F per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 are fueling a striper run that multiple sources are calling one of the best in recent years. Blue Chip Sportfishing describes the action as "the best Striper Fishing possible," and Grumpys Tackle recorded a 41-inch personal best from the Seaside Park surf on an SP Minnow. Yakitty Yaks Kayaks, reporting via The Fisherman — Central NJ, says Barnegat and Raritan bays are putting up "one of the best spring bass seasons they've seen in years." Fresh clams and bunker chunks are leading the surf bite per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf; glide baits are also drawing aggressive strikes. A black drum push has coincided with the run — fish to 38 inches showing on clam baits along the oceanfront per The Fisherman — Southern NJ. Black sea bass season opened May 15 (The Fisherman — New Jersey edition), though inshore counts are still building. On The Water confirms 50-pound-class stripers staging off New Jersey ahead of today's new moon.
Pine Barrens pickerel prime; Delaware River stripers reach Lambertville
Chain pickerel are delivering one of spring's better freshwater bites across the Pine Barrens cedar waters. Creekside Outfitters and Allen's Dock on Bass River — both via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater — confirm strong pickerel action on killies, swimming plugs, and spinners, with largemouth bass also active in area ponds. Hands Too Bait and Tackle adds that Ponderlodge Lake is producing trout, catfish, and bass. On the Delaware River corridor, Dave's Sport Shop in Doylestown reports mixed-size stripers at Trenton with a few fish pushing as far north as Lambertville — a welcome mid-May milestone. USGS gauge 01408000 shows local drainage at 27.7 cfs as of Sunday afternoon, indicating low, clear conditions suited to finesse presentations. Trout fishing has quieted from its early-season pace, per Dave's Sport Shop, with only scattered reports from the Tohickon and Unami drainages remaining. Anglers should note NJ Fish & Wildlife News has confirmed seasonal WMA closures beginning May 21.
Spring Flows Prime Platte and Missouri for Walleye, Bass, and Cats
Nebraska Game & Parks signals an active spring season with their "Springing On" dispatch — and conditions on the water back it up. The Platte River at North Bend is running at 2,120 cfs (USGS gauge 06796000), a healthy spring volume that pushes fish toward calmer edges, wing-dam pockets, and riprap banks. Fishing the Midwest recommends jig-and-minnow setups and slow-trolled slip-sinker live bait for walleye in this transition window, while their spinning-gear primer highlights finesse presentations as fish settle into post-spawn patterns. Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Midwest — a reliable trigger that sees largemouth moving into heavy shallow cover and chasing topwater in low-light periods. Channel catfish, the backbone of the Platte and Missouri fisheries, are typically hitting their stride through May as water temperatures climb. With no temp reading available at the gauge, structure and eddy lines are the key when current is running.
Big stripers dominating Cape Cod Bay as spring migration hits full stride
Water temps at 57°F (NOAA buoy 44020) and the spring striper run is firing on all cylinders across Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reports schools of stripers — very few below 37 inches — breaking on bait in a topwater bite from Fairhaven west toward the Cape Cod Canal. Red Top Sporting Goods confirms slot-to-jumbo fish crashing the surface in mid to upper Buzzards, and Westport River Outfitters notes the main challenge right now is locating slot fish amid the oversized bass. The Fisherman (Northeast) calls this a 'supercharged spring striper run' with fish averaging upper-teens to low 20 pounds and 40-pound class stripers now entering the region. Tautog are the strong secondary bite, with multiple Cape Cod captains reporting improving action around Canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light structure. The big scup bite just began on the rock piles.
Black Drum Move In as Spring Stripers Run Strong Along the Chesapeake Coast
Black drum have arrived at the Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach this week, per Smith's Bait Shop, hitting clams, sand fleas, and female blue crabs — a signal that the spring push is in full swing. Striped bass remain the other big story: Smith's reports big bass being caught and released at Greens Beach and the Woodland Beach fishing pier on bloodworms and cut bunker, while Old Inlet Bait and Tackle notes early-morning striper action at Indian River Inlet's South Pocket and both jetties on bucktails and plugs. Tautog are in the mix, taking sand fleas and green crab on structure on select days, per Old Inlet. Hickory shad are running through Indian River Inlet on shad darts. Eric Burnley writing for The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake reports that wind and small craft advisories limited open-water access much of the week, pushing anglers toward beaches and inlets. With winds now easing and the new moon arriving May 17, productive tidal windows should open up across the region this weekend.
Spring Striper Push Reaches Maine — Migration Now Fully Extended
Migratory striped bass have officially arrived in the Gulf of Maine. On The Water's May 15 migration map reports the spring striper push has "fully extended through the Northeast," with fish now making landfall in Maine. NOAA buoy 44007 logs water temperature at 50°F near Portland — cold but workable for early-season linesiders — while buoy 44027 further Downeast registers 42°F, suggesting the bite is concentrated in western coastal Maine for now. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s May 14 New England forecast describes a "supercharged spring striper run," with average sizes in the upper-teens to 20-pound range and 40-class fish already documented in the region. The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME confirms fresh migrants with sea lice making landfall as far north as Boston Harbor, with observers expecting the wave to continue pushing northeast in the days ahead. Tonight's new moon adds favorable timing — first tide changes of the cycle should concentrate feeding along estuary mouths and rocky points.