Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
South Fork Snake trout primed as salmonfly hatch window nears
The USGS gauge on the Snake River (site 13037500) logged 13,900 cfs on the morning of May 17 — a brisk spring push that makes wading challenging but concentrates rainbow and brown trout in predictable feeding lanes along channel seams and current edges. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this cycle; carry a thermometer and probe the shallows, as South Fork trout behavior tightens noticeably once flows begin warming through the mid-40s°F. The season's signature event is approaching: Caddis Fly (OR) published a detailed walkthrough of the articulated jigged salmonfly nymph this week, noting these giant stoneflies spend three to four years in the riverbed before emerging each spring — timing that maps closely onto the South Fork's traditional late-May salmonfly window. No direct on-water South Fork reports appeared in our feeds this week; the species outlook below draws on gauge data, regional hatch calendars, and coverage from Caddis Fly (OR).
Lake trout the play as Flathead system hits peak spring runoff
The USGS gauge on the Flathead River is registering 30,400 cfs at 48°F — classic peak snowmelt conditions for northwest Montana in mid-May. Rivers throughout the drainage, including the Bitterroot, are running fast, cold, and likely off-color this week, making wade fishing difficult and sight fishing nearly impossible. Outdoor Hub reported that Montana FWP is actively offering a reward for information on illegally introduced northern pike found in Pine Grove Pond near Kalispell — a timely reminder that native bull trout and cutthroat populations face ongoing invasive-species pressure in this watershed. On Flathead Lake itself, deep water buffers the worst of the runoff surge; deep trolling for lake trout (mackinaw) and targeting yellow perch over structure remain the most reliable options right now. Fly anglers with their eyes on the Bitterroot should wait for flows to drop and clarity to return — patience through the runoff window typically pays off with excellent cutthroat and brown trout action once conditions normalize.
Lake Michigan salmon surge positions Indiana shoreline for strong mid-May action
WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented over 210,000 coho salmon harvested in 2024 — a Lake Michigan record — alongside more than 160,000 Chinook, the highest count since 2012. That stocking success and strong alewife forage base sets a productive backdrop for Indiana shoreline anglers heading into mid-May. No current buoy readings are available for the Indiana nearshore zone; IL/IN Sea Grant notes its Lake Michigan buoys are in active spring deployment this week, so anglers should check local forecasts before launching. Today's new moon (May 17) reduces ambient light pressure, historically opening more aggressive daytime feeding windows for salmon and bass alike. Smallmouth bass are working through the post-spawn transition typical for mid-May; Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing across the Midwest, a reliable cue for bass pushing into shallower cover. Yellow perch typically hold on deeper rocky structure this time of year. Conditions remain highly weather-dependent on this exposed southern Lake Michigan shoreline.
Coho and Kings Building as Lake Michigan Enters Peak May Run Window
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record coho salmon harvest of over 210,000 fish in 2024 — the highest Chinook numbers since 2012 — signaling that elevated alewife survival rates are sustaining robust salmon populations heading into Chicago's 2026 open-water season. No live buoy data is available for current water temperatures, but the population tailwinds are real. On the bass side, the Michigan Sportsman Forum reports moody conditions across Great Lakes bays after persistent cold northerly winds disrupted spawning activity; fish are still connecting on T-rigged soft plastics along deeper edge structure. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is now fully underway region-wide, a development that typically pulls bigger bass toward shallow heavy cover. On The Water links breezy Great Lakes days to peak smallmouth feeding. With tonight's New Moon, plan for prime feeding windows at first light and late afternoon — those transitions are worth setting the alarm for.
High water and warm temps prime Clinton-Dubuque pools for catfish and walleye
USGS gauge 05420500 logged the Mississippi at 56,800 cfs and 69°F early this morning — above-normal flow with water that has crossed into prime catfish territory. Elevated current is the dominant condition shaper right now, pushing walleye and sauger tight to wing dam tips, riprap edges, and any slack pocket behind breaking structure. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) highlights trolling shallow walleye as a productive tactic at this Midwest stage, and AnglingBuzz (YT) backs it up with swimbait approaches working across walleye, bass, and crappie. Meanwhile, Fishing the Midwest notes that spring crappie and bass are responding to shallow presentations on flats adjacent to deeper runs. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is active, which puts largemouth bass in the shallows on the hunt — frogs and heavy-cover topwater are the play. With tonight's new moon stripping ambient light, expect channel catfish to push onto feeding flats after dark.
Post-spawn bass and stripers in transition on Texoma and Eufaula
USGS gauge 07331600 on the Red River logged just 41.2 cfs on May 17 — well below typical spring flows — pointing to stable, clearing water on Lake Texoma's upper arms heading into Memorial Day weekend. No direct temperature reading came through on the gauge, but the pattern is consistent with the post-spawn transition underway across southern reservoir fisheries. Tactical Bassin's blog reports the bluegill spawn fully active at comparable latitudes, with bass abandoning beds and staging on adjacent heavy cover — topwater frogs and swimbaits leading the charge. Flukemaster's May content echoes the theme, flagging the shad spawn as a parallel trigger pulling bass toward points and creek channels. On Texoma, the new-moon window this weekend darkens the nights and concentrates topwater striper activity at first light near the main river channel. Eufaula's largemouth should be the primary target for weekend anglers, with shallow grass flats and laydowns the first stop as fish key on bluegill.
Current River in mid-May stride as caddis hatches build across Ozark trout water
USGS gauge 07067000 has the Current River at 1,220 cfs as of May 17 — a moderately elevated late-spring flow that pushes trout off mid-channel flats and into the calmer seams behind boulders and along gravel-bar edges. Dedicated Current and Niangua on-the-water dispatches are sparse this week, but the wider fly-fishing community signals that mid-May hatches are building on spring-fed streams. MidCurrent's current tying roundup notes that "hatches begin to fire and predatory fish start pushing into the shallows," flagging midge and caddis patterns as the essential toolkit from surface film down. Hatch Magazine reinforces the caddis angle with a full emergence breakdown — well-timed for Current and Niangua anglers, as late-spring caddis flights are among the most reliable evening triggers on Ozark trout water. Stocked rainbows remain the primary draw through the trout-park season; mid-May typically holds spring-fed water in the 55–65°F range, the sweet spot for dry-fly activity.
Taneycomo rainbows in strong form as drought calms spring generation
Lilleys Landing's May 1 report sets the tone: the Ozark drought — now roughly 10 months running — has kept Table Rock below power pool and eliminated the flood-control and shad-run generation events that typically scramble Taneycomo's spring tailwater. Generation is running on a strategic, power-demand-only schedule, translating to calmer and more predictable flows than a normal May. Lilleys Landing notes this should make trout fishing "easier for most anglers, for the most part" through the coming months. The rainbow population is healthy, bolstered by above-average fall stocking and light winter fishing pressure, per the shop's March report. No live gauge data is available from USGS site 07054410 today. With the New Moon falling this week, low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk are the most reliable timing play. Table Rock itself is in post-spawn mode for bass, with a successful tournament held on the lake May 9, per Wired 2 Fish.
White River Tailwaters Running Low and Clear — Small Flies the Call
USGS gauge 07060710 logged 4.84 cfs and 68°F on the White River in the early hours of May 17 — a near-minimum flow reading indicating Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams are holding water with no active generation. At that volume the river runs gin-clear and highly wadeable, but trout scatter into softer seams and current edges rather than stacking below churned discharge. Water temperature at 68°F sits at the warm edge of trout comfort, making first and last light the sharpest windows before afternoon heat sets in. MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday coverage called out midge-style patterns as the proven choice for 'the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces' — a description that fits the White River's current character precisely. The new moon (May 17) can trigger brief feeding bursts at dawn and dusk. Fine tippet, deliberate wading approaches, and dropping down to size 20–22 midges or small nymphs will be the playbook until generation resumes.
Lake Cumberland bass locked onto bluegill beds after May Phoenix BFL event
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine held its Lake Cumberland event May 16, with a weigh-in posted by MLF News — the week's clearest confirmation that Cumberland's bass are in fishable form as the post-spawn transition takes hold. Across the mid-South, the bluegill spawn is now in full swing according to Tactical Bassin, and big largemouth are responding to shallow, heavy-cover presentations including frogs and topwater walking baits. The shad spawn is running simultaneously per Flukemaster, creating secondary opportunities on main-lake points and structure for bass tracking baitfish. On the tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam, USGS gauge 03413200 is recording a very low 5.68 cfs on the upper Cumberland system, pointing to clear, low conditions — a scenario that typically rewards finesse nymphing and midge patterns for the rainbow and brown trout this tailrace is famous for.
Post-Spawn Bass Locked Onto Bluegill Beds at Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley
USGS gauge 03611500 returned no readings this cycle, so conditions on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are assembled from regional angler intel. The clearest mid-May signal comes from Tactical Bassin, which reports the bluegill spawn in full swing on comparable Tennessee Valley impoundments — a development that traditionally ignites the best topwater and frog bite of the year as largemouth lock onto shallow beds. Post-spawn bass scatter quickly, and Tactical Bassin's coverage of Lake Chickamauga highlights swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse drop-shots as productive follow-up options when fish peel off the beds into transitional depth. On May 16, MLF News documented a Phoenix Bass Fishing League weigh-in at Lake Cumberland just to the east, confirming active tournament competition across Kentucky fisheries right now. Crappie have likely moved off their spawning flats by mid-May and are dropping to brush piles and deeper stakebeds — a vertical bite that rewards patience. Today's New Moon can tighten feeding windows into low-light periods.
Hiwassee and Caney Fork prime up for mid-May hatch season
Gink and Gasoline flagged warm-spring conditions triggering Sulphur and Light Cahill emergences weeks ahead of their typical Southern trout-stream arrival — a hatch signal that translates directly to mid-May on Tennessee's Smokies tailwaters. USGS gauge 03565000 returned no reading at time of publication, so current flow conditions should be confirmed against TVA release schedules before launching; dam-controlled flows can shift dramatically on short notice. That caveat aside, mid-May is historically the prime hatch window on both the Caney Fork and Hiwassee, with caddis, sulphurs, and midges all potentially in play. MidCurrent's tying coverage this week spotlighted a sparse midge built for clear, pressured tailrace conditions — a useful reminder that when big hatches aren't popping, Caney Fork rainbows will key on small patterns in the 20–22 range. Tonight's new moon means darker skies, which typically favors early-morning brown trout activity in the deeper tailwater pools. No shop or guide reports from these specific waters appeared in current feeds.
Post-spawn bass and bluegill spawn fuel the Chickamauga bite
Tactical Bassin documented a productive post-spawn session on Lake Chickamauga this week, with Tim working swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse baits across two distinct water conditions: clear and finesse-oriented at the upper end, stained to muddy at the lower end where power fishing took over. The bluegill spawn is in full swing per Tactical Bassin, locking big largemouth onto shallow, heavy cover and putting topwater frogs and walking baits at the top of the lineup. USGS gauge 03578500 shows inflow at a very low 33.7 cfs, consistent with stable, clear-water conditions in the upper pool. Per Flukemaster, May's post-spawn window is one of the year's best for locating schooling bass. Smallmouth, crappie, and blue catfish status below reflects typical mid-May seasonal patterns for the TVA chain — no direct angler intel for those species is in hand this cycle. Watts Bar, the next pool upstream, typically tracks Chickamauga's seasonal progression on a slight delay.
Bluegill Spawn Peaks on Guntersville and Wheeler — Post-Spawn Bass Dialing In
Tactical Bassin's recent post-spawn coverage from Lake Chickamauga — a directly comparable TVA impoundment — signals that bass on Guntersville and Wheeler are well into the post-spawn transition, moving from shallow spawning flats to the nearest drop-offs, docks, and grass edges. The Paint Rock River tributary is running at 206 cfs (USGS gauge 03575100) as of early Sunday morning, indicating stable, non-flood inflows that should keep the upper end of Guntersville at typical mid-May clarity. Flukemaster's May content highlights the shad spawn as a key feeding trigger: largemouth and spotted bass are targeting shad schools along riprap, rocky points, and bridge pilings at first and last light. Per Tactical Bassin, a mix of swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse presentations is covering the full range of clarity conditions on comparable TVA fisheries. The New Moon today compresses active feeding into tighter dawn and dusk windows.
Lanier & Allatoona bass enter post-spawn bluegill window
The Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam is running 636 cfs at 48°F (USGS gauge 02334430, measured early May 17) — cold hypolimnetic releases typical of Lanier's deep-draw dam, not representative of warming main-lake surface temps. For bass, the moment that matters most this week is the bluegill spawn: Tactical Bassin (blog) reports it is fully underway across the Southeast, a reliable trigger that pulls big largemouth into shallow heavy cover for topwater action. Frogs over vegetation mats, poppers near dock pilings, and weedless rigs are the go-to presentations. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing noted in April that crappie were stacking in 3–8 feet around brush piles and timber statewide during their spawn — by mid-May those fish are transitioning to deeper summer structure. GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News flagged advancing warm weather already pushing fish toward deeper water, a transition that will steepen through June. Tonight's new moon adds a feeding-edge that should extend into the weekend.
Smokies trout prime up as mid-May temps hit the sweet spot
The USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 61°F and a flow of 194 cfs in the early hours of May 17 — conditions sitting squarely in the trout comfort zone for Great Smoky Mountains streams. Direct on-the-water reports for this specific region were limited this cycle, so this update blends sensor data with seasonal context. Hatch Magazine's current feature on caddis emergences speaks directly to what southern Appalachian trout streams typically serve up in mid-May: twilight caddis flights drawing rainbows and browns into feeding lanes that stay quiet most of the day. Gink and Gasoline (fly) recently flagged warm spring temperatures accelerating hatch timelines on mountain streams — meaning sulphurs and light cahills may be appearing earlier than usual. With flows at 194 cfs providing wading-friendly conditions and the New Moon reducing overnight light, conditions favor a productive nymph bite mid-day and quality dry fly windows at dawn and dusk.
Red Drum Surging From Pamlico Sound to Cape Lookout Shoals
Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports red drum making a strong push onto the surf at Hatteras and Ocracoke — and the pattern holds coast-wide. Steve of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach is seeing bull reds schooling around the Cape Lookout shoals, accompanied by good-sized bluefish working the same water. Inland on the Pamlico, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication says slot-sized red drum are spread across nearly the entire Neuse River corridor. NOAA buoy 41037 recorded winds near 14 knots with comfortable air temperatures around 74°F this morning — conditions that should keep nearshore boats in play. Atlantic bonito continue to produce excellent action, according to Tex of Tex's Tackle, with fish hitting well from the Liberty Ship out to the 5-mile range off Wrightsville Beach. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors at Swansboro and Emerald Isle adds that surf fishing is finally picking up, with sea mullet, black drum, and the first pompano of the season coming off the beach.
Stripers on the Move as Eastern Shore Hits Peak Spring Window
Water temperatures at 66°F per NOAA buoy 44014 put Chincoteague's nearshore zone squarely in prime spring striper territory. Virginia DWR's spring striped bass fishing report confirms rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, grass beds, and coastal rocky structure throughout Virginia's tidal and coastal zones — exactly the habitat that defines the Eastern Shore's nearshore fishery. On The Water's May 15 migration map shows the spring striper run has now fully extended through the Northeast; OTW Saltwater's May 12 report noted large Chesapeake-class fish pushing into New Jersey and Long Island ahead of the new moon, suggesting Virginia's nearshore waters remain an active staging area for mid-season fish. A 4.9-foot wave height logged this morning at buoy 44014 signals rougher conditions for smaller vessels — check sea state before launching. With the new moon arriving today, tidal current will be pronounced; working inlet mouths and channel drop-offs on the moving water is the primary play.
Striper schools and post-spawn bass on fire at Smith Mountain & Buggs Island
Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog's spring striped bass fishing report finds rockfish schooling along channel edges, sandy flats, and rocky structure across Virginia waters this season — a pattern that applies directly to both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island. Landlocked stripers at both reservoirs are likely staging along main-lake channel ledges and points as they recover from the post-spawn scatter. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports the bluegill spawn is currently in full swing on Southern reservoirs, drawing big largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover and setting up an aggressive topwater window — frog fishing through thick vegetation and dock pilings is prime right now. Flukemaster (YT) flags the concurrent shad spawn as a key May trigger, stacking bass near creek mouths and cove flats. USGS gauge 02075045 logs 502 cfs on the Roanoke River below Smith Mountain Dam — stable, moderate flow signaling fishable conditions. Tonight's New Moon focuses feeding activity into the first and last hours of daylight.
Stripers light up Sandy Hook beaches as new moon and sea bass opener arrive
Water at 51°F per NOAA buoy 44065 hasn't slowed the striped bass bite one bit. Capt. Pete Wagner of the Hyper Striper called it "another super week" in Raritan Bay, landing fish to 25 pounds on every trip and noting more linesiders still pushing north (The Fisherman — Northern NJ). On the beach side, the Tackle Box in Hazlet reported Sandy Hook "lit up" with bass hammering bunker chunks and clams, with Jersey Cape Glides and NLBN rubbertails also producing; black drum and a few bluefish mixed into the wash at The Hook on clam baits and yellow mag darts (The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf). OTW Northern New Jersey noted the bay bite eased slightly heading into May 14 while beach action picked up. Black sea bass season opened May 15 — Capt. Ron at Atlantic Highlands found water still too cold for a strong opener on day one, though the bite should improve as temperatures climb through the week.
Black Drum and Stripers Double Up on Delaware Bay as Sea Bass Season Opens
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44009 are running 56°F this morning — right in the zone for a productive mid-May window on the Delaware Bay's New Jersey shore. Per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, it's been a phenomenal week of surf fishing statewide, with a fresh push of black drum arriving alongside an already-strong striper run. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports clam-soaking anglers landing stripers to 51 inches and black drum to 38 inches from the surf, with back bay, oceanfront, and jetties all producing on bloodworms and fresh clams. Summer flounder season is open but off to a slow start; pool fish are running 19–22 inches with keeper counts expected to improve as waters warm. Black sea bass season opened May 15 per NJ Fish & Wildlife News — verify current regs before heading out — adding a bottom-fishing option for bay crews. Today's new moon is worth flagging for weakfish along the bay, a timing window specifically noted by The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf.
Central MA Reservoirs Primed as Spring Trout and Bass Hit Full Stride
Red Top Sporting Goods, reporting via The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, notes that Massachusetts freshwater fishing 'has not missed a beat,' with big trout and largemouth providing steady action heading into mid-May. For Quabbin and Wachusett anglers, that optimism aligns with current conditions: the Swift River outflow below Quabbin is logging a moderate 171 cfs (USGS gauge 01174500), indicating stable reservoir levels ahead of summer drawdown. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this cycle, but mid-May in central Massachusetts typically places surface temps in the low-to-mid 50s°F — prime territory for landlocked salmon and lake trout at Quabbin, and stocked rainbows at Wachusett. Spring trout stocking in Massachusetts is ongoing, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. This weekend's New Moon phase compresses active feeding into low-light windows, so prioritize dawn and dusk launches for the best shots at surface-oriented fish.
Big Stripers Topwater-Feeding Through Buzzards Bay as Spring Push Peaks
Buzzards Bay is firing on all cylinders this week. Charley Soares in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reports schools of stripers — "very few of them below 37 inches" — breaking on a topwater bite stretching from Fairhaven west toward the Canal's east end. Red Top Sporting Goods confirms slots to jumbos crashing bait in mid to upper Buzzards Bay. Water temperatures of 53–55°F, per NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020, sit squarely in the productive spring striper window. Tautog is also well underway: Red Top notes excellent fishing around canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light. Scup schools are moving onto rock piles from West Island to Wareham, per Charley Soares. Black sea bass season opened May 16, with Capt. Sebastian at Fish Linked Charters and Capt. Carl at Westport River Outfitters already planning dedicated structure trips. The Fisherman (Northeast) calls the regional striper run "supercharged," with 40-pound-class fish now entering New England waters.
Deschutes redsides and Klamath trout enter prime mid-May window
Hatch Magazine's current deep-dive on caddis emergences is well-timed for the Deschutes corridor, where mid-May historically overlaps the salmonfly hatch and the season's first strong caddis push — the river's most celebrated dry-fly window. USGS gauge 14070500 returned no flow or temperature data for this report cycle, leaving us without a hydrograph. With today's New Moon, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should concentrate redside rainbows in riffles and tailouts. MidCurrent's pattern roundup this week highlights midge-style ties for clear, pressured tailrace water, a practical note for lower Deschutes sections where clear-water finesse often outpaces attractor patterns after heavy angling pressure. Upper Klamath Lake trout typically push into shallower margins through May before warming water encourages a deeper retreat. No shop, charter, or agency reports specific to this drainage appeared in this cycle — treat condition notes as seasonal baseline, not confirmed on-the-water intel.