Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Bull Reds Push Cape Lookout Shoals as Pamlico Slot Drum Run the Neuse
Red drum are the headline story across Pamlico Sound and Cape Lookout this week. Per Fisherman's Post (NC), Steve at Chasin' Tails in Morehead City reports schools of bull red drum showing up around the Cape Lookout shoals, with good-sized bluefish mixed in along the beach. Inland, Donald at Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized red drum blanketing nearly the entire Neuse River corridor — fish pushing into the sound system on the spring tidal flush. At Hatteras, Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports red drum making a strong push onto the surf beaches, with anglers catching good numbers along the stretch. Light winds near 1 m/s (NOAA buoy 41037) and the New Moon phase are combining to set up favorable low-light feeding conditions at dawn and dusk. Bluefish are running alongside the bulls at Cape Lookout — worth having heavier fluorocarbon in your kit if you're targeting both.
Stripers schooling and post-spawn bass active at Smith Mountain & Buggs Island
Virginia DWR's spring striped bass report highlights rockfish actively schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and rocky structure across the Commonwealth this season — a positive indicator for both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island heading into the holiday weekend. USGS gauge 02075045, draining into the region, reads 498 cfs as of Sunday morning, pointing to stable, moderate flows with no runoff concerns. No water temperature reading is available from this gauge cycle. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing across freshwater impoundments right now, pushing largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover and triggering aggressive topwater bites near laydowns and grass edges. Post-spawn transition conditions typically make this one of the more productive largemouth windows of the year on Virginia piedmont reservoirs. Between the striper schooling activity confirmed by Virginia DWR and the bluegill-spawn bass pattern noted by Tactical Bassin, both lake regulars and weekend visitors have solid reason to be on the water.
Spring Stripers Light Up Sandy Hook Surf as Sea Bass Season Opens
NOAA buoy 44065 recorded 53°F at Sandy Hook on May 17, right in the spring striper migration window. Per The Fisherman — Northern NJ, Capt. Pete Wagner of Hyper Striper had another outstanding week in Raritan Bay, with fish to 25 pounds and consistent keeper counts, adding that significant numbers of linesiders are still pushing north from the south. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf's Tackle Box in Hazlet correspondent described Sandy Hook beaches as "lit up" with bass on bunker chunks and clams; Blue Chip Sportfishing echoed that it's some of the best striper action possible this spring. OTW Northern New Jersey (May 14) notes the bay boat bite has eased slightly as fish move up on the beaches. Black drum are mixing in along the surf on clam baits. Black sea bass opened May 15 per The Fisherman — New Jersey edition but early bottom reports are mixed, and fluke is underway but spotty as inshore water temps remain cool.
Big stripers topwater-blitzing upper Buzzards Bay as spring run peaks
Schools of stripers — per correspondent Charley Soares in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands — "very few of them below 37 inches" are locked into a topwater bite through upper Buzzards Bay, running west toward Fairhaven and east to the Canal's west end. Red Top Sporting Goods (same publication) had AJ out in mid to upper Buzzards over the weekend finding slots to jumbos "breaking on bait." Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters confirms strong numbers but is struggling to find slot fish amid all the oversize class. Water temps of 52–55°F measured by NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020 are holding conditions in place across multiple bites simultaneously. Also per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands: tautog is building around canal openings, West Falmouth, and Cleveland Light; scup schools just arrived on rock piles from West Island to Wareham; and Fish Linked Charters is already targeting black sea bass (season opened May 16) in mid to lower Buzzards Bay.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Fuels Red-Hot Keys Offshore Bite in May
ALL IN Key West charters are reporting mutton snappers "chewing like crazy" following the recent full-moon spawn cycle, with yellowtail snappers described as "practically jumping in the boat." A separate Gulf-side ALL IN Key West trip added groupers, cobia, barracudas, and kingfish to the box — a well-rounded mixed bag that signals the offshore bite is firing on multiple fronts. Live bait has been the consistent edge for king mackerel, tuna, and sailfish along the reef lines, per the same source. Air temps are running in the low 80s°F per SMKF1 and SANF1, with winds at 12–14 knots — breezy but workable for most offshore runs. A late-April water temp reading of 78°F from buoy 41114 suggests warm, inviting conditions supportive of the active snapper bite. Today's new moon marks a tidal transition from the full-moon spawn peak; bottom-fishing action should remain elevated on the incoming tide through the coming days.
Post-spawn bass and crappie fire up on the Highland Lakes as bluegill beds peak
The Colorado River system checked in at 280 cfs at USGS gauge 08158000 on the morning of May 17 — a moderate late-spring flow for the Highland Lakes chain — though no surface temperature reading was available from local instruments. The dominant story across Texas right now is the bluegill spawn: Tactical Bassin reports bass locked into heavy cover and aggressively taking topwater frogs and poppers during peak bluegill bed activity, a pattern that translates directly to the shallow coves and rocky points of Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan. On the crappie front, LakeForkGuy is calling the current post-spawn window "the most aggressive crappie bite of the year," with fish relocating from spawning flats back to adjacent structure. Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights electronics-driven targeting as the key to locating blue catfish over deep channel structure this season. Tonight's New Moon means minimal moonlight and compressed low-light feeding windows — first and last hour of daylight will be the prime time to be on the water.
Cooling NorCal Coast Sparks Salmon Surge Below Pigeon Point
Water off the NorCal coast has cooled sharply since mid-April, and salmon anglers are reaping the reward. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing told Western Outdoor News — Saltwater that conditions below Pigeon Point 'vastly improved' after surface temps dropped to 54°F — four degrees below the 58°F reading at the April 11 season opener. NOAA buoy 46026 logs an even colder 49°F as of Sunday morning, confirming the regional cool-down. The bonita that briefly cluttered early-season salmon sets have dispersed with the falling temps. Both buoy stations are recording sustained winds of 25–27 knots, so Bodega-area captains and small-boat anglers should verify advisories before departure. The New Moon is generating strong spring tides — a reliable driver of bait concentrations along rip lines and bay structure — and conditions favor a productive window for striped bass and halibut inside the bay when the wind lays down.
Warm Water Pulls Tuna and Yellowtail Into SoCal Range Well Ahead of Schedule
Water temperatures of 62–64°F across the LA Bight — logged by NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221 — are running significantly above typical mid-May norms, and the warm conditions are already paying dividends offshore. Per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, spring bluefin and yellowfin tuna have crept into one-day range southwest of San Diego, with the first San Diego fleet albacore in years gaffed April 30 aboard the Tribute out of Mission Bay. Yellowtail and early dorado are also showing on multi-day trips heading south. Closer to shore, Surf Fishing in So Cal notes that late spring marks the opening window for corbina and leopard shark along SoCal sandy beaches — both species favor the 60°F-plus water range now present. A New Moon this weekend drives stronger tidal swings, favorable for bait movement and predator feeding windows along the surf line and shallow inshore structure.
UP Streams Running High as Cold Spring Extends Trout Window
The Sturgeon River near Sidnaw is running at 358 cfs this morning per USGS gauge 04059500, signaling persistent high spring runoff that is pushing UP stream trout into slower, off-channel refuges. Specific bite reports for MI trout streams are sparse this week — the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was unavailable due to a site compatibility issue — but adjacent sources point to a spring running behind schedule across the basin. On the Lake Superior side, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has documented a growing and actively studied lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay corridor, and AnglingBuzz (YT) recently posted content on shallow-water walleye and sturgeon tactics tailored specifically to Lake Superior — both pointing to productive near-shore structure opportunities for boat anglers. Tonight's New Moon eliminates moonlight entirely, widening the effective dawn and dusk bite windows. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this morning; anglers should probe conditions before committing to a specific stretch, as fish location in high, cold water shifts reliably toward edge structure and tributary confluences.
Mid-May Puts Walleye and Smallmouth on the Move in Saginaw Bay
Michigan Sea Grant recently launched research specifically tracking seasonal movements and populations of smallmouth bass in Saginaw Bay — a signal that bronzebacks are a species worth watching closely as the region moves through mid-May. No live buoy readings were recovered for this update, and USGS gauge 04157000 returned no current flow or temperature data, so conditions here reflect established seasonal patterns rather than real-time measurements. In a typical mid-May window on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, walleye are post-spawn and actively feeding along structural transitions — sandy drop-offs, rock piles, and the edges of the bay's shallower flats. Smallmouth are staging ahead of their spawn on gravel and rocky points in the 10–20-foot range, while yellow perch hold active across mid-depth flats throughout the bay. The New Moon on May 17 should support broader daytime feeding windows. Anglers should pull the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report directly for current on-the-water updates; the page was unavailable for this edition.
Wisconsin River Walleye and Chequamegon Whitefish on the Move
The Wisconsin River (USGS gauge 05391000) is running at 634 cfs as of May 17 — a moderate, fishable level for this time of year. Water temperature readings are unavailable from the gauge. Wisconsin's general inland fishing season opened May 2 per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News, putting walleye, bass, and panfish squarely in play. AnglingBuzz highlights shallow-water walleye and Lake Superior tactics as key early-season approaches, with swimbait presentations for walleye, bass, and crappie drawing attention from Hooked Up Wisconsin contributors. Up on Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues to track a growing lake whitefish bite in Chequamegon Bay — a fishery that built momentum through an active ice season and is now carrying into open water. New regulations are in effect for 2026–2027; WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News urges all anglers to review updated rules before heading out. New Moon conditions this weekend can favor active feeding windows around dawn and dusk, particularly for walleye.
Spring Chinook and Halibut in Play as WA Coastal Season Builds
NOAA buoys 46041 and 46087 are registering light winds of 3–4 m/s and cool air temperatures between 46–50°F along the WA coast as of May 17, though water temperature sensors returned no readings from either station this cycle. WA Sea Grant's Crab Team field program in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay continues through spring 2026, with estuarine monitoring active in areas that overlap coastal salmon staging grounds. No direct charter, tackle-shop, or creel-survey reports for Puget Sound or the outer Pacific coast appeared in this data pull. Based on typical mid-May patterns for this region, spring Chinook are the headliner across multiple Puget Sound marine areas, Pacific halibut draw serious attention from inland straits and offshore banks, and lingcod hold on nearshore reef structure. Anglers should confirm current WDFW area-specific retention rules and any emergency closures before launching — Chinook quotas and halibut area allocations can shift quickly through May.
Stripers, Squid, and Tog Light Up the Bay as New Moon Tides Peak
Water temperature sits at 52°F across NOAA buoys 44097 and 44085 as of midday May 17, and the cool spring hasn't kept stripers off the feed in Narragansett Bay. The Saltwater Edge, reporting via The Fisherman — Rhode Island, notes nice-sized bass taken inside the bay by both boat and surf anglers, with larger fish locked onto adult bunker and herring — big soft plastics and topwater plugs leading the charge. Squid have arrived: the Frances Fleet ran successful squid trips Friday with customers filling buckets and is now scheduling regular squid dates. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) calls the bay "loaded with life," noting the tautog bite has come to life and weakfish starting to show in decent numbers. The Fisherman (Northeast) adds that Rhode Island is producing its first real fluke reports of 2026, with early action around Block Island. Today's new moon is driving the strongest tidal push of the month — a well-timed window for the weekend.
Pre-Spawn Smallmouth in Prime Position on the Susquehanna and Allegheny
The USGS gauge on the Susquehanna (site 01540500) logged 19,200 cfs at 58°F on the morning of May 17 — temperatures that place smallmouth bass squarely in pre-spawn staging mode, with beds typically occupied once water crosses 60–65°F. Elevated spring flows are pushing fish toward current seams, eddy pockets, and slack side channels. On The Water is reporting big smallmouth on Lake Erie right now in rough, windy conditions — a strong regional signal that Erie-connected tributaries and the upper Allegheny are worth targeting as fish crowd shallower structure ahead of the spawn. Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing, which reliably triggers predatory bass to work the shallows in shallow-cover and backwater areas. Trout remain comfortable at 58°F; stocked fish from Pennsylvania's spring program should still be holding in cooler tributary stretches. PA Sea Grant flags an ongoing Round Goby spread-prevention effort in Northwestern PA and the Allegheny watershed — clean, drain, and dry all gear between drainages.
Spring Chinook Season Underway as Oregon Coast Waters Cool into Prime Range
Water temperatures of 54–55°F recorded across NOAA buoys 46029 and 46002 off the Oregon Coast this morning place nearshore conditions squarely in the temperature band spring Chinook salmon favor during their coastal migration. Winds are running at 7–8 m/s along the outer shelf — enough to warrant bar-crossing caution on smaller vessels. Specific Oregon Coast angler reports are sparse in current intel, but a useful regional signal comes from Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, which reported this week that Half Moon Bay boats found 'vastly improved salmon conditions' after nearshore water temperatures dropped to 54°F — the same reading our buoys show off Oregon today. The new-moon phase favors tidal bite windows around dawn and dusk, and the cool water may also push rockfish into more active feeding postures on nearshore reef structure. Verify current state fishing regulations before heading out.
Columbia Smallmouth and Rogue Springers Roll as May Temps Surge
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 7,770 cfs and 64°F before dawn on May 17 — warmer than typical for mid-May, pushing Columbia River smallmouth bass squarely into post-spawn feeding mode while keeping the Rogue's spring Chinook window open. Specific on-the-water catch reports for this corridor are limited this cycle, but Tactical Bassin's current content confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing nationally, with big bass targeting shallow, heavy cover — a pattern that translates directly to Columbia smallmouth on riprap and rocky points. For fly anglers, Hatch Magazine's coverage of caddis emergences is well-timed: May is when Oregon's interior rivers typically ignite with caddis activity, and the Rogue canyon is no exception. Rogue spring Chinook remain the headline target for drift-boat and bank anglers through early June. At 64°F, fish will be seeking deeper, oxygenated lies — back-trolling plugs in canyon tailouts during early-morning windows is the typical approach. Verify current retention and hatchery rules before keeping any salmonid.
Red River walleye heating up as post-spawn feeding window opens
USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River put water temperature at 62°F this morning with flow running 889 cfs — a moderate, fishable level suggesting spring runoff has largely subsided. That 62°F reading lands squarely in the prime walleye feeding band, and timing lines up with post-spawn fish shaking off recovery and returning to aggressive feeding. Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been covering shallow walleye tactics this week — including trolling approaches and float-rig setups with forward-facing sonar — pointing to fish holding in nearshore zones and current seams. AnglingBuzz echoes the shallow-water walleye theme in their latest Midwest content. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain reliable river walleye producers at this stage of the season, with spinning gear making a comeback for finesse presentations. The New Moon phase arrives today, typically encouraging more spread-out daytime feeding behavior over the tight dawn-and-dusk windows seen under brighter phases.
Big stripers flood Long Island surf and back bays as the new moon arrives
Water at 53–54°F off New York's south shore — per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 — and big striped bass are the undeniable story heading into this weekend. On The Water's May 14 Long Island report had 'very big bass' coming from the South Shore surf and Western Sound, a finding corroborated across the entire island. The Fisherman — Long Island North Shore logged fish to 45 inches from Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington Bay on trolled umbrella rigs and parachutes, while The Fisherman — Long Island West End reported a boat limit of keepers out of Oceanside. The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore noted Captain Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters landing seven to eleven bass per morning-tide session. Fluke season is officially open per NY DEC, and the bite is building: Great South Bay has already produced a doormat past 8 pounds. Bluefish are trickling in at Shinnecock Inlet, Breezy Point, and the Narrows, per The Fisherman — Long Island Surf.
Stripers Running Hot Shore to Shore as Sea Bass Season Opens
Water temps have reached 53–54°F per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091, and the Jersey Shore spring run is firing on all cylinders. Fishermans HQ LBI reports 'the spring fishery is as good as it gets for surfcasters working the sands of Long Beach Island,' with bass stacked in cuts and gutters from north to south. Boulevard Bait & Tackle (The Fisherman — Southern NJ) confirmed a 51-inch fish from the surf on fresh clam, and Grumpys Tackle (NJ) reported a 41-inch personal best at Seaside Park on an SP Minnow. Black drum have joined the party along the oceanfront, with The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf noting 'a push of black drum surprising many a clamslinger.' Stripers and drum to 38 inches are eating soaked clams in the wash. New Jersey's black sea bass season opened May 15 per The Fisherman — New Jersey edition — check current state regs for size and bag limits before keeping fish. The Garden State Surf Fishing Classic runs today at Island Beach State Park.
Post-spawn bass and walleye hitting on the Platte and Missouri
The Platte River logged 2,050 cfs at USGS gauge 06796000 early Sunday morning — a workable mid-spring flow that keeps wading and bank access open across much of the corridor. No water temperature reading was available this cycle; check conditions locally before heading out. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch calls this exact window 'a great time to be on the water,' highlighting a shallow-water casting approach for crappie, bass, and walleye on spinning gear with jigs and slip-sinker rigs. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the region — a reliable feeding trigger that pulls largemouth and smallmouth into shallow cover and heavy vegetation. Today's New Moon means minimal ambient light overnight and at dawn, historically concentrating feeding activity into early morning and evening windows. For catfish anglers working the Missouri River corridor, May is typically prime season in the warmer, slower side channels as water temperatures climb through late spring.
Post-spawn bass and catfish heating up on the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers
Water temps have reached 76°F at USGS gauge 06892350 as of early Sunday morning, signaling that bass are moving out of the spawn and into late-spring feeding patterns across both river systems. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn field coverage from comparable Midwest impoundments shows fish grouping in shallow cover and responding well to topwater frogs and swimbaits around active bluegill beds — a pattern typical for this temperature range. Fishing the Midwest reinforces the shallow-water approach for this part of the season, noting spring fish are cooperative over flats and secondary structure when presentations stay simple. No channel- or flathead-specific bite reports surfaced from the Kansas or Arkansas River corridor this week, but 76°F water sits squarely in the prime catfish window by seasonal norms. Flow is running at 1,780 cfs — moderate and accessible for most mainstem launch points on both rivers.
Spring Chinook Rolling as Snake River Runs Cold and High
Water at USGS gauge 13340000 on the Snake River registered 47°F and 21,300 cfs at dawn on May 17 — classic late-spring snowmelt conditions that push spring chinook salmon upstream while limiting wade access on most reaches. No regional shop or charter reports covering the Snake or Salmon drainages appeared in this week's intel feeds, so this report leans on gauge data and established seasonal patterns. Spring chinook are the headliner right now; mid-May is historically the heart of the spring run as fish push deep into the system. Caddis Fly (OR) notes that giant salmonfly nymphs are emerging on Pacific Northwest rivers this spring — a hatch that typically sweeps into the Salmon River canyon as conditions warm. The new moon tonight opens low-light dawn and dusk windows that can trigger more aggressive feeding. Boat anglers hold a clear edge over waders until flows recede.
Tarpon Migration Peaks as Permit and Kings Load Up Along the Gulf Coast
Water at 77°F (NOAA buoy 42036) has the Florida Gulf Coast locked into its most productive late-spring window. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is "fully underway," with captains intercepting push-through fish in the mornings before pivoting to afternoon sight-fishing for large permit — calling the current variety "as good as it gets for this time of year." Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) echoes the statewide scope, headlining "Big Tarpon Action Across Florida" this week. Offshore, the same Naples captains are pulling cobia, amberjacks, and kingfish on plugs and flies, rounding out a dynamic multi-species spread. The New Moon on May 17 is generating the strongest tidal swings of the cycle — a reliable trigger for tarpon pushing hard through the passes and permit staging on high-tide flats. Light winds of 2–3 m/s across both Gulf buoys are holding conditions favorable for flats sight-fishing and offshore runs alike.
Stripers Running Long Island Sound End to End
Striped bass dominate the Long Island Sound scene this week, with sea-lice-fresh migratory fish mixing with resident bass from Norwalk to New London, per The Fisherman — Connecticut. Fisherman's World in Norwalk reports fish spread across inshore harbors, bays, and deep-water structure — reefs including 11B, Can 13, and the OB Buoy holding the freshest arrivals. Bobby J's confirms bunker chunks are producing bass into the 20-pound-plus class, while topwater plugs and plastics on jigheads are generating steady inshore action. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle notes over-slot 40s have turned heads alongside a consistent supply of slot fish (24–29 inches) on swimmers along the suds. Surface water sits at 52–54°F per NOAA buoys 44065 and 44025, still brisk but clearly warm enough to have the migration fully engaged. Tonight's new moon brings stronger tidal flows — classic feeding conditions after dark. Tautog and early fluke are beginning to register on the regional radar as secondary options.