Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Columbia Spring Chinook Running as Snowmelt Pushes Flows High
USGS gauge 14105700 recorded 261,000 cfs and 58°F on the evening of May 16 — a reading that places the Columbia squarely in peak spring Chinook territory. Water at 58°F sits at the upper edge of the prime migration range for spring kings, and the elevated flow reflects active Cascade snowmelt typical for mid-May. No charter, tackle-shop, or state agency catch reports for this region appeared in this cycle's intel feeds; the assessment below is grounded in gauge data and seasonal patterns. IFish.net Fishing Reports posts for the Columbia corridor lean toward lost-and-found items rather than catch tallies, offering no specific current-conditions signal. White sturgeon are a year-round Columbia resident; elevated flows typically push them into deeper mid-channel structure and reward heavy anchor rigs over lighter setups. Verify current retention windows with state regulations before targeting either species — both spring Chinook and sturgeon seasons carry specific harvest rules that vary by reach.
Yakima running high — Eastern WA trout and bass entering prime spring window
USGS gauge 12484500 on the Yakima River recorded 1790 cfs as of late May 16, a flow level consistent with active snowmelt drainage typical of mid-May in Eastern Washington. Water temperature was unavailable this cycle. At that flow, the Yakima typically carries light turbidity that pushes trout off mid-current and into softer seams along cutbanks and inside bends — a cue to fish slower water with weighted nymph rigs or soft-hackle swings along the edges. No on-the-water creel or guide reports from the Yakima or Spokane corridors arrived this cycle; WA WDFW Fishing Reports remains the most reliable check for stocking updates and weekly creel counts in the region. With the New Moon arriving today, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should outperform midday surface activity. Post-spawn smallmouth bass in the Spokane River drainage are likely transitioning toward summer feeding structure this week, making rocky current breaks and woody cover worth targeting.
Spring Chinook Window Advancing as Hoh and Bogachiel Hold Moderate May Flows
USGS gauges recorded the Hoh River at 1,260 cfs (gauge 12041200) and the Bogachiel River at 854 cfs (gauge 12035000) on the evening of May 16 — moderate late-spring levels that leave both Olympic Peninsula systems accessible as flows transition away from peak freshet. No water temperature readings were available from either gauge. Angler-intel feeds this cycle returned no Olympic Peninsula-specific reports; no charter dispatches, tackle-shop posts, or creel summaries for the Hoh or Bogachiel appeared in available sources. Based on typical mid-May patterns for the region, late spring Chinook salmon are the primary target on hatchery-supported reaches, with sea-run cutthroat available as a year-round secondary option in the lower river systems. Winter steelhead opportunity has largely wound down for the season; summer steelhead builds slowly through June. Conditions appear fishable at current flows, though clarity and holding-water quality will depend on recent precipitation in the Olympic Mountains headwaters. Verify current WA regulations and per-river hatchery retention rules before launching.
Gulf Panhandle Beeliner Bite Picks Up as Calm Returns Midday
NOAA buoy 42012 recorded Gulf waters at 75°F this morning, and the Panhandle's bottom bite appears to be responding. Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum noted a productive run out of Ft. Morgan on May 16, landing 15 beeliners (vermilion snapper) and 2 lane snapper despite moderately choppy seas on the outbound leg. Spadefish were encountered in numbers around offshore structure, while triggerfish were present but mostly undersized. A separate forum post noted conditions "slicked off midday," fitting the classic Gulf Panhandle pattern of rough mornings smoothing into workable afternoons. Both buoys 42039 and 42012 are reporting light winds (3–4 m/s), pointing to manageable seas for the days ahead. Salt Strong included the Florida Panhandle in their May 15–17 regional weekend game plan as a region worth targeting. Today's New Moon should amplify tidal flow, a recognized trigger for deepwater feeders on the reef structure south of Destin and Pensacola.
Snook run peaks near Boca Grande as Sarasota Bay jacks go topwater
Water temperatures of 77–79°F — recorded this morning at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — have southwest Florida's inshore fishery firing on all cylinders. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) set a new boat record on May 9th with a 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook at Boca Grande, a catch that confirms what the shop calls "prime time" for the species as fish push toward passes and beaches ahead of the summer spawn. Capt. Chuck Cress from the same shop reports steady action on upper-slot Redfish (20–25 inches) with Trout also appearing on recent trips. Jack Crevalle are actively schooling in Sarasota Bay near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — CB's weekly reports note that early-morning topwater lures and poppers are drawing the most aggressive strikes from these hard-pulling fish. Today's New Moon brings the month's strongest tidal movement through the passes, setting up prime conditions for anglers targeting Snook and Redfish through the weekend.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Firing in the Keys as May Offshore Season Peaks
ALL IN Key West captains report mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" during the May spawn run, with yellowtail snappers practically jumping into the boat on reef drifts. A Gulf-side trip from the same fleet recently hauled grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish — live bait getting full credit for the action. Winds at Sombrero Key (SMKF1) and Sand Key (SANF1) are running a manageable 11–12 knots this morning with air temperatures near 82°F. The most recent offshore water-temp reading comes from buoy 41114, which showed 78°F in late April; surface temps across the Keys flats and nearshore reef structure have likely climbed into the low 80s by mid-May. On the flats, May is the heart of the tarpon migration through the Keys — a seasonal rhythm no captain's report this week specifically calls out, but one that typically peaks right now. Bottom fishing on deep wrecks and reef structure is the clear standout, with live bait and deep presentations both producing.
South Texas Surf Specks and Ship Channel Trout in Full Late-Spring Stride
Water temps have climbed to 80°F as of mid-May per NOAA buoy 42043, putting the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre zone squarely in late-spring feeding mode. Texas Fish & Game Magazine reports speckled trout showing in two distinct settings: the open surf at daylight, where topwater lures are drawing explosive strikes, and ship channels, where anglers running electronics to identify depth and structure are locating consistent trout holds. The 37th annual CCA Texas STAR Tournament kicks off this month per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing, which historically concentrates reports and angling pressure across the Texas coast; the same outlet also notes 2026 is shaping up as a record year for Texas anglers statewide. Redfish are seasonally on pace for seagrass flat activity as temps warm, though no source this week specifically called them out for the lower laguna corridor. The new moon on May 17 should drive stronger tidal exchange — a plus for both bay and wade-fishing windows.
East Texas bass push post-spawn as bluegill bite fires up reservoirs
USGS gauge 08030500 on the Sabine River system clocked 2,220 cfs on the morning of May 17 — a moderate late-spring flow that typically keeps Toledo Bend's upper creek arms slightly off-color while the main lake holds fishable clarity. No temperature reading was available at the gauge today, but mid-May in East Texas historically puts surface temps in the low-to-mid 70s. The key takeaway heading into the weekend: the spawn has wrapped. Lake Fork Trophy Bass documented a robust spawn across East Texas waters through April, with bass flooding the shallows and the fishery running about three feet low. By the third week of May that wave has largely crested, and Tactical Bassin identifies the bluegill spawn now as the dominant trigger — big bass are stacking around heavy cover to ambush them, with topwater frogs and hollow-belly baits drawing blowups in the slop. Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights electronics as the go-to edge for targeting giant blue and flathead catfish deeper in the water column at reservoirs like Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn.
Bluegill Spawn Fires Up Largemouth on Hill Country Reservoirs
The bluegill spawn is in full swing for Texas bass anglers this week — per Tactical Bassin, that means largemouth are locked on shallow heavy cover and will commit aggressively to topwater frogs and swimbaits. USGS gauge 08158000 logged Colorado River inflow into Lake Travis at 1,740 cfs as of early Sunday morning, a moderate but not flood-stage pulse that may cloud upper-lake creek arms while leaving main-basin visibility intact. Regional reservoir levels are running above last year's benchmarks: My Canyon Lake Fishing reports nearby Canyon Lake sitting eight feet higher than the same date in 2025, with conditions described as "ideal for boating and fishing." Tonight's New Moon sharpens dawn and dusk feeding windows, making the next two to three days some of the better low-light topwater opportunities of early summer. No direct on-water reports for Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan surfaced in this cycle; the conditions picture is built from regional and seasonal context.
NorCal Chinook Picking Up as Cool Water Returns to the Coast
Water at NOAA buoy 46026 reads 50°F as of early Sunday morning, and Chinook salmon conditions are described as 'vastly improved' below Pigeon Point, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady, operating out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, reports surface temperature dropped to 54°F from 58°F at the April 11 season opener — a shift that pushed bonita off the grounds and brought kings back into favorable range. Heavy offshore swell is the near-term obstacle: NOAA buoy 46013 logged 16.4-foot seas and 16 m/s winds early this morning, conditions that will keep most small-craft operators dockside out of Bodega Bay and the Farallon corridor. New Moon tonight brings darker predawn skies and stronger tidal exchanges — typically concentrating the bite window for those willing to wait for a calmer launch.
Warm Water Opens Early Tuna Window; Surf Species Active Along the Bight
Water temps of 63–65°F—recorded at NOAA buoys 46221 and 46025 on the morning of May 17—are running significantly above seasonal expectations, reshaping the Southern California bite calendar. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that these unseasonably warm conditions off the California coast have drawn bluefin, yellowfin, and even an albacore into reachable range, with the first San Diego-fleet albacore in years landing on April 30 aboard the Tribute. That warm-water pattern appears to extend toward the Channel Islands and LA Bight, where pelagic action normally builds later in summer. On the surf side, Surf Fishing in So Cal's spring season preview notes a "strange start" to the year but points to corbina and leopard shark as reliable targets from sandy beaches as conditions firm up. Moderate swell of 4.9–5.9 ft (per both buoys) and the new-moon tidal pull add timing variables—work the incoming tide on calmer windows for the best surf action.
Eastern Sierra stillwaters hit prime spring form as runoff peaks
The Reno Fly Shop's late-April field report from the adjacent eastern Sierra Nevada corridor noted that 'area stillwaters are full and fishing well' as spring flows stabilized — a promising indicator heading into the mid-May window. USGS gauge 10265200 returned no live readings at time of publication, so exact stream flow and water temperature remain unconfirmed; verify conditions locally before committing to a river wade. For stillwater fishing, Reno Fly Shop guides pointed to tungsten balanced leeches, micro holo midges, the Yankee Buzzer, and mini jigged leeches as top producers in late April. Stream fishing across Eastern Sierra drainages is likely challenged by snowmelt runoff this time of year, pushing fish toward slower margins and backeddies. Today's new moon (May 17) sets up low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk on both lakes and accessible streams. Check local conditions before heading out.
Iron Range walleye opener arrives with spring runoff running strong
USGS gauge 05129115 is registering 1,070 cfs on May 17 — active spring runoff across the Iron Range drainage — with no water temperature reading available this cycle. No direct charter, tackle-shop, or state-agency reports from the Boundary Waters or Iron Range appear in this cycle's feeds. Fishing the Midwest notes that early-season conditions across the upper Midwest favor shallow flats and slow-trolling presentations, with jig-and-minnow rigs holding up as a dependable walleye opener setup — a technique that translates directly to Iron Range lakes in mid-May. Northern pike, well past their spawn by now, should be pushing actively into warmer bays. Lake trout remain a quiet but reliable target in the cold BWCA basins. The new moon peaking today sharpens feeding windows at dawn and dusk, a pattern that tends to be pronounced in the remote, low-pressure lakes of the Boundary Waters.
North Shore spring run fades; open-water season gaining momentum
USGS gauge 04015330 registered 37.7 cfs on May 17, placing North Shore tributaries at low-to-moderate flow — clear, wadeable conditions for anglers still targeting late-season spring run fish. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but mid-May along this coast typically sees stream temps climbing into the range that marks the tail end of steelhead and brown trout migrations. Direct on-the-ground reports specific to MN North Shore waters are sparse in today's intel feed; treat these condition windows as tentative and verify locally before making the drive. Across the lake on the Wisconsin side, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has highlighted a growing lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay area, with the agency actively seeking angler input to guide management — a sign of open-water momentum building across the broader Lake Superior basin. With a new moon falling this weekend, low-light windows at dawn and dusk are worth building your schedule around.
Northwoods Walleye Scattered After Historic Joint Opener, Warming Trend Ahead
Water temperatures across Northwoods lakes were hovering in the 48–50°F range through early May, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop in Minocqua, leaving most species scattered and the bite inconsistent through the opening weeks of the season. The defining story is regulatory: the 2026 walleye and musky openers aligned on May 2 statewide for the first time since the early 1980s, drawing concentrated angler attention to Vilas and Oneida county lakes. Walleye remain spread across mid-depth structure rather than stacked on traditional staging areas, and musky fishing has been up and down, with cold fronts suppressing follow-to-strike conversion. The improving outlook comes from the shop's observation that emergent cabbage and coontail beds are beginning to establish on shallow flats across Vilas and Oneida counties — a reliable signal that both species should tighten onto seasonal structure as lake temperatures push through 50°F into the mid-50s. USGS gauge 05400650 is currently offline with no flow or temperature readings available.
Lake Michigan Coho Running; Door County Launch Out Through Month-End
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented record-breaking 2024 harvest numbers — over 210,000 coho salmon and 160,000-plus Chinook, the highest Chinook tally since 2012 — signaling a well-stocked system heading into the 2026 season. Strong recent alewife classes drove that survival surge, per the DNR, and conditions should remain favorable this spring. Anglers planning Door County runs should note that the Rowley's Bay boat launch near Newport State Park is closed from ice-off through approximately May 31 for concrete improvements; confirm alternative access before trailering out. No real-time buoy or gauge readings are available at report time, so checking water temps locally before launching is advised. May is traditionally the window when coho stack up close to shore along the Door Peninsula and brown trout cruise the nearshore zone before retreating to deeper, cooler water as lake temps climb through the month.
Saginaw Bay Walleye and Smallmouth Hit Their Mid-May Stride
On The Water reported this week that windy conditions drove aggressive smallmouth bass onto the feed on Lake Erie — a signal that resonates for Lake Huron's similar rocky-structure bite. Closer to home, the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report page failed to render usable content this cycle, and USGS gauge 04157000 returned no flow or temperature data, leaving Saginaw Bay intel thinner than ideal. Mid-May is nonetheless Saginaw Bay's traditional peak for walleye, with post-spawn fish typically moving off gravel spawning shoals toward 8–16-foot sand-flat feeding zones. Wired 2 Fish published a detailed look at Great Lakes smallmouth genetics this week, reinforcing the region's standing as one of the premier bronzeback fisheries in North America. Fishing the Midwest recommends jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs as the season's workhorses for early walleye. Today's new moon extends the low-light feeding window into midmorning across all target species.
Post-spawn bass and spring coho headline mid-May at the Grand River mouth
The Grand River is running at 4,010 cfs as of May 17 (USGS gauge 04119000) — elevated late-spring flows pushing lightly stained water through the Grand Haven outlet to Lake Michigan. Direct current-cycle intel for this specific stretch is thin; the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was inaccessible during this pull, and local forum chatter is sparse and unverified. What broader Great Lakes feeds do confirm is an encouraging population foundation: WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documents a record 210,000-plus coho harvested lake-wide in 2024, with Chinook topping 160,000 — best since 2012 — pointing to healthy, alewife-supported year classes moving through the system this spring. Mid-May is historically when western Michigan's steelhead run winds to its close and post-spawn smallmouth, walleye, and spring coho step into the spotlight. On The Water notes big smallmouth responding well to wind-driven conditions on nearby Great Lakes structure, a pattern that travels well to Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline. Today's new moon favors low-light feeding windows.
Post-spawn bass and crappie window opens on Mosquito and Pymatuning
The bluegill spawn is in full swing this week — and as Tactical Bassin reports, that's triggering aggressive largemouth behavior in shallow, heavy-cover areas. For Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir, mid-May marks the classic post-spawn transition: largemouth are edging toward summer haunts but still reachable on topwater and frogs near woody cover, while crappie are finishing their spawn and staging near brush piles and submerged timber. USGS gauge 03110000 is recording a modest 80 cfs, suggesting inflow tributaries are running clear rather than blown out — a positive sign for water clarity on these northeastern Ohio impoundments. No gauge temperature is available for this cycle, but mid-May typically puts surface temps in the low-to-mid 60s°F. Fishing the Midwest notes that shallow-flat casting approaches produce reliably for mixed-bag spring action — crappie, bass, and walleye — as fish complete their spawning cycles and begin dispersing toward summer structure.
Western Basin Walleye Dispersing Post-Spawn as Erie Bite Heats Up
NOAA buoy 45005 recorded 55°F water temperatures across the western basin this morning — precisely the range that switches post-spawn walleye into aggressive feeding mode. The Maumee River is pushing 2,540 cfs (USGS gauge 04193500), a moderate spring level signaling that the spawning run has largely concluded and fish are scattering back across the mid-basin shoals. Across the basin's full width, Michigan Sportsman Forum anglers report encouraging results: one crew jigged eight walleye on the Detroit River in a single morning session, while a separate thread references a party of anglers clearing through Bolles Harbor with 12 walleye — both consistent with the post-spawn dispersal pattern typical of mid-May. Wave heights of 0.7 feet and winds near 11 mph make for comfortable running. On The Water reports Erie's shoal systems have been producing quality smallmouth bass on windier days, worth keeping in mind as a secondary target this weekend. Tonight's new moon may shift walleye toward daylight feeding windows rather than traditional low-light peaks.
Sulphurs and Caddis Coming Online for PA Limestone Trout's Best Window
USGS gauge 01546500 logged 81.2 cfs in the regional watershed at midnight May 17, signaling moderate spring flows as Central PA enters what's historically the finest dry fly stretch of the year on Spring Creek and Penns Creek. Water temperature wasn't returned by the gauge; these limestone-spring-fed systems typically hold in the 54–60°F band through May, ideal for sustained surface feeding. Gink and Gasoline reported this spring that warmer-than-average temperatures were pushing Sulphur and Light Cahill emergences earlier than normal on spring creeks — the author was nearly caught without those fly boxes on a recent outing, a useful heads-up for anglers heading out this week. MidCurrent's current tying roundup covers film and surface patterns specifically as "hatches begin to fire," and Hatch Magazine devoted a full piece to caddis emergence timing. Flylords Mag reports severe drought gripping much of the Mid-Atlantic, a trend worth monitoring as the season deepens, though limestone springs generally buffer short-term precipitation shortfalls better than freestone drainages.
High Allegheny flows push tailwater bite into eddies and current seams
USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny River recorded 24,900 cfs early Sunday morning — a substantial spring runoff pulse reshaping fish-holding structure throughout the Pittsburgh and upper tailwater reaches. No water temperature data accompanied the gauge reading, so a streamside thermometer is worth packing. At this flow, productive water lies in slack pockets, deep eddies, and the calmer downstream faces of wing dams and bridge pilings. Walleye and sauger are the primary targets; they typically stage near structure during high-water events and feed into current seams. Channel catfish also tend to be assertive during flood pulses, moving into softer adjacent current. Smallmouth bass — typically in a post-spawn or late-spawn phase this week of May — will be pressed tight to the most protected current breaks available. No region-specific shop or captain intel for the Pittsburgh tailwaters appeared in this reporting cycle; PA Fish & Boat — Biologist Reports remains the recommended standing resource for stocking schedules and local biologist updates.
Lake Erie smallmouth on the feed as May winds sweep PA shorelines
On The Water reports this week that windy conditions are activating Lake Erie's legendary smallmouth bass near Buffalo — a pattern that typically extends through the full PA eastern shoreline, including Presque Isle Bay. NOAA buoy 45005 recorded a water temperature of 55°F at dawn on May 17, placing the lake squarely in smallmouth's prime early-season feeding window. Tributary flow at USGS gauge 04213000 on Elk Creek stands at 188 cfs — moderate and fishable, with workable clarity for near-shore access. Walleye, having completed their early-May spawn, are scattering to mid-depth feeding stations. The New Moon falls today, compressing fish activity into tighter dawn and dusk windows rather than an all-day bite. Mid-May on Erie's PA shoreline is the season's first window where smallmouth, walleye, and perch are simultaneously accessible — making Presque Isle one of the more productive freshwater stretches in the Northeast right now.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Firing as May Winds Push the Buffalo Bite
Water temperature has reached 56°F along the Western NY corridor (USGS gauge 04231600, read May 16), putting Lake Erie smallmouth bass squarely in prime feeding range. On The Water reports that windy conditions are driving the legendary Erie smallies onto an aggressive feed near Buffalo — a classic pattern in which wave action concentrates baitfish against windward rocky shorelines and points. At 56°F, smallmouth are transitioning out of pre-spawn staging toward shallow structure; the full spawn push typically arrives when temps crest the low 60s. The New Moon tonight eliminates ambient light, extending feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Tributary flows are running at 7,170 cfs per the gauge, signaling continued spring runoff that can affect clarity in the Niagara River corridor. Walleye and yellow perch — Erie staples — should also be building activity as the lake continues its mid-May warm-up. Target rocky points and wave-washed banks for the smallmouth action.