Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Susquehanna smallmouth staging for spawn as spring flows run high
USGS gauge 01540500 clocked the Susquehanna at 20,800 cfs and 56°F on the evening of May 12 — elevated spring flows with water temps sitting just below the 60–65°F band where smallmouth bass typically move onto gravel spawning flats. High water is pressing fish off the main channel and into current breaks, back-eddies, and tributary confluences along both the Susquehanna and Allegheny drainages. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing nationally, a reliable co-trigger that draws big bass into the shallows — worth watching as temps push higher. At 56°F, expect smallmouth grouped in deeper staging seams rather than on beds. Fishing the Midwest notes that shallow flats and a casting approach produce results once spring fish become cooperative. Walleye, post-spawn by mid-May, are transitioning toward summer structure. No PA-specific tackle-shop or charter reports are available this cycle; trout and catfish status assessments reflect seasonal norms for this water temperature and date.
Spring Chinook Active at the Columbia Bar as Oregon Coast Season Hits Stride
Water temps along the Oregon Coast are holding in the mid-to-upper 50s — buoy 46029 near the Columbia River Bar logged 57°F on the morning of May 13, with offshore station 46002 reading 56°F. Winds are calm to moderate across the coastal buoy network (3–7 m/s), making bar crossings manageable for the salmon fleet. The headline angler intel comes from Saltwater Sportsman, which recently spotlighted the Buoy 10 fishery out of Astoria and Warrenton: Capt. Hugh Harris describes close-quartered battles with chinook and coho at the Columbia River mouth, noting these fish have faced down orcas, pinnipeds, and commercial fishing pressure without faltering. With the spring chinook run in its prime window and water temperatures sitting squarely in the productive mid-50s, salmon remain the clear priority. Nearshore halibut and rockfish are seasonally appropriate for mid-May but carry no direct angler reports in this cycle — check ODFW regulations before harvesting any flatfish or groundfish.
Post-spawn walleye fire up on the Red River as spring warmth builds
Water at USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River registered 58°F on the evening of May 12 with flow at a manageable 995 cfs — prime conditions for the post-spawn walleye bite to reach peak. Walleye that pushed into shallow gravel bars and tributary mouths to spawn over recent weeks are now transitioning back to mid-depth structure, feeding hard. Fishing the Midwest notes that spring walleye respond reliably to jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs during this transitional window, presentations that suit the Red River's current edges well. Outdoor Hub reports the Midwest Walleye Challenge is running through June 28 across six regional states, a sign that walleye are the headliner throughout the broader corridor right now. No local charter or shop intel was captured this cycle, but gauge readings and seasonal timing support an optimistic read. Northern pike, also recovering from spawn, should be staging on weed edges and warming shallows, while channel catfish activity will build as temperatures push toward 60°F.
Red Drum Surge Onto OBX Beaches as Spring Surf Run Peaks
Ryan of Hatteras Jack (Fisherman's Post) reports surf action has come alive along the Hatteras/Ocracoke stretch, with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches and anglers finding good numbers — confirmation the spring drum run is in full swing at the Outer Banks. Water temps at 76°F (NOAA buoy 41025) are squarely in prime drum-feeding territory. Further south at the Cape Lookout shoals, Steve of Chasin' Tails (Fisherman's Post) is seeing schools of bull red drum alongside good-sized bluefish. Interior fish are in the picture too: Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication (Fisherman's Post) reports slot-sized red drum working the full length of the Pamlico/Neuse River system. Wave heights of 4.9 feet and winds near 10 knots are keeping conditions choppy but fishable. Offshore, South Atlantic red snapper seasons are expanding significantly in 2026 under new pilot programs, per Saltwater Sportsman — a noteworthy opportunity for OBX boats making shelf runs this summer.
Post-spawn bass and shellcracker bite heating up on NC piedmont lakes
USGS gauge 02142900 registered just 1.65 cfs as of the evening of May 12 — an unusually lean reading that signals parched feeder creeks across the Catawba and Roanoke drainages and points fish toward deeper reservoir pockets and main-lake structure. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the post-spawn transition is fully underway, with multiple patterns converging simultaneously: topwater frogs over shallow heavy cover are drawing strikes, swimbaits skipped around submerged timber are triggering reaction bites, and finesse drop-shot rigs are the call for scattered post-spawn fish staging near structure. Wired 2 Fish flags May as the peak of the redear sunfish — shellcracker — spawn, calling it "the best bream bite of the entire year" as these fish stack on hard-bottom shallows. With the waning crescent moon dialing down overnight light pressure, plan dawn and dusk windows for the most reliable bass action, and work shellcracker flats during midday when the sun warms the shallows.
Trophy stripers stage off Long Island as spring migration peaks
Water temperatures are running 52–53°F offshore (NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065), and the spring striper run is delivering. Per OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration report, Chesapeake-run 50-pounders are already stationed off New Jersey and Long Island ahead of the approaching new moon. On The Water — New York / Long Island's May 7 report confirmed a wave of big bass hitting the South Shore surf, with fish to 25-plus pounds chasing bunker east along the North Shore. The Fisherman's Long Island North Shore correspondents are reporting excellent action to 45 inches on umbrella rigs and parachutes in Huntington Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, while surfcasters east of Shinnecock Inlet are finding fish on swimming plugs after dark, per The Fisherman — Long Island Surf. The 2026 fluke season has officially opened — rough weather slowed opening day per The Fisherman (Northeast), but keepers are building with each passing day. Bluefish are beginning to show at Shinnecock Inlet, another sign the migration is firing on multiple fronts.
Hudson Valley trout and walleye prime as May coolwater season opens
At 58°F on the upper Hudson River (USGS gauge 01357500), water temperatures have settled into prime late-spring freshwater territory across the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. NY DEC The Fishing Line confirms that hatchery crews have been actively transporting and stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout through late April — putting fresh fish in tributary streams regionwide. The DEC's April 24 issue also flags that the statewide coolwater sportfish season opened May 1, unlocking walleye, northern pike, and tiger muskellunge on Finger Lakes waters for the first time this year. On The Water's striper migration map from May 8 reports post-spawn bass flooding out of the Chesapeake and spreading across the Northeast "delivering big fish and fast action" — a push that historically reaches the tidal Hudson by mid-May. The upper gauge is running a moderate 3,680 cfs, while the lower Hudson gauge (USGS 01358000) reads an elevated 14,100 cfs, reflecting spring snowmelt still moving through the watershed. The waning crescent moon favors low-light dawn and dusk feeding windows.
Pine Barrens pickerel hot as Delaware River stripers push to Lambertville
Cedar-water pickerel are the standout story this week in the Pine Barrens. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Freshwater correspondents report strong pickerel action on swimbaits and live killies in local cedar streams, with Hands Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May noting the bite is 'on fire.' Creekside Outfitters confirmed decent largemouth bass on spinnerbaits in small ponds, while Allen's Dock on Bass River is logging quality bass and big pickerel in campground ponds. On the Delaware River corridor, Dave's Sport Shop in Doylestown is tracking mixed-size stripers at Trenton, with some fish reaching as far north as Lambertville. Trout fishing has faded from its April opener peak; Dave's Sport Shop reports only scattered activity on the Tohickon and Unami, though stocked fish persist in lower lakes like Ponderlodge per Hands Too. One notable absence: Allen's Dock flags white perch missing from tidal streams this spring — attributed to a heavy wintering striper population that likely preyed them out of the corridor.
Post-spawn bass and walleye moving on Nebraska's Platte and Missouri corridors
The USGS gauge on the Platte River (site 06796000) clocked 1,700 cfs on the evening of May 12 — a moderate spring flow that positions current-oriented species like walleye and white bass in predictable eddies and seams. No water temperature reading was available at press time, so probe multiple depth zones until fish signal their preference. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Midwest, pulling largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover where topwater lures and frogs are drawing strikes — patterns directly applicable to Nebraska river backwaters and oxbow habitat. Fishing the Midwest notes spring walleye are reliably responding to jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs worked along shallow-to-mid structure. Outdoor Hub reports the Midwest Walleye Challenge — active through June 28 and including Nebraska — is drawing anglers specifically targeting these fish. Nebraska Game & Parks announced an angler access improvement project at Holmes Lake in Lincoln, broadening shore-fishing options for the capital-area angler community.
Light Winds and May Warmth Open Prime MS Sound Fishing Window
Light winds near 9 knots and 2.6-foot swells at NOAA buoy 42067 point to settled, comfortable boating conditions across the Mississippi Sound this mid-May period. Air temperatures around 74°F are consistent with the warm push that typically draws speckled trout onto shallow grass flats, Spanish mackerel through barrier island passes, and red drum along marsh edges. MS DMR's active coastal docket this week — with major wetland-fill reviews near Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs — signals continued habitat pressure on key nearshore fishing grounds. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports came through this cycle, so species assessments below reflect general mid-May seasonal patterns rather than confirmed on-the-water catches. Anglers should verify current bag and size limits with MS DMR before harvesting speckled trout, red drum, or flounder, as these species carry size and seasonal restrictions that are subject to change.
Michigan Bass Enter Post-Spawn as Grand River Flows Run High
The Grand River is running at 4,240 cfs as of May 12 (USGS gauge 04119000), reflecting elevated spring runoff on one of Michigan's most productive warmwater corridors. While the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report continues to track statewide conditions, the week's key story is the post-spawn bass transition now unfolding across Great Lakes tributaries and inland lakes. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Midwest — a reliable trigger that keeps largemouth bass pressed into shallow heavy cover, where topwater frogs and poppers have been producing. Walleye anglers have added incentive this week: the Midwest Walleye Challenge includes Michigan among its six participating states and runs through June 28 (per Outdoor Hub), keeping a tournament-entry layer on top of an already strong late-spring walleye window. With no gauge water temperature available this cycle, take your own reading before targeting depth transitions — smallmouth on gravel, crappie in the shallows, and active bass up shallow round out a busy mid-May picture.
Stripers and Flounder Both Hot in Cape Cod Bay as Migration Peaks
The Fisherman (Northeast) reports "the flounder bite has been really good in Cape Cod Bay" as of May 7, and water readings back it up: NOAA buoy 44013 sits at 50°F with 2-foot seas—prime early-season conditions. Striped bass are the bigger headline, with The Fisherman Cape Cod & Islands correspondents noting oversized fish "very few of them below 37 inches" crashing a topwater bite in Buzzards Bay, and the Canal producing fish in the low 40-pound class. OTW Saltwater's May 12 migration brief confirms post-spawn fish have reached Boston and beyond, placing Cape Cod Bay squarely in the active migration corridor. Tautog remain solid on rock structure around the Canal openings and the Cleveland Light area, per The Fisherman Cape Cod & Islands. A significant new bite opens May 16th: black sea bass season begins, with captains already slating mixed tautog, scup, and sea bass trips on nearby rock piles.
Big Crappies and Post-Spawn Bass Firing Across Central MA Ponds
Jeff Sullivan landed slab crappies topping 18–19 inches at Cook Pond in Massachusetts this past week, fishing NLBN 3- and 3.75-inch shads and a Strike King spinnerbait, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater — a clear signal that the calico bite is peak-prime across Central MA. Spring trout stocking is ongoing across the state, with stocked ponds and lakes holding fish; Red Top Sporting Goods reported big trout and largemouth active in most ponds and lakes throughout the region, per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands. Largemouth bass are wrapping up the spawn or entering the post-spawn transition; Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, drawing big bass shallow on topwater and heavy-cover presentations. USGS gauge 01105500 shows flows at 17.8 cfs and gauge 01111500 at 95.9 cfs, indicating stable, low-to-moderate river conditions with no water temperature data currently available.
Striper Vanguard Reaches New England — Southern Maine on Deck
NOAA buoy 44007 logged 48°F surface water off Portland while the eastern Gulf of Maine (buoy 44027) sits at 42°F — a thermal gap that will shape where early migrants hold versus push through. The defining story right now is the striped bass migration: OTW Saltwater's May 12 report confirms migratory bass have reached Boston and beyond, and The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME reports fish already exiting the Merrimack River mouth, with early arrivals making landfall along the South Shore and fish in the near-20-pound class documented as far as Boston Harbor and Hull. With post-spawn bass continuing to pour out of the Chesapeake per On The Water, the pipeline is full — southern Maine is next in the rotation. Water temps remain just shy of the 50°F threshold that typically triggers sustained striper feeding in the Gulf, so action in Maine proper is early-season tentative, but the window is opening fast for anglers willing to work tide changes hard.
Kennebec and Penobscot Prime for Landlocked Salmon as Striper Wave Closes In
USGS gauge 01046500 placed the Kennebec drainage at 7,190 cfs on the evening of May 12 — elevated spring-runoff volume that concentrates fish tight to current seams, bank eddies, and tributary mouths. Water temperature was not logged at the gauge. The bigger signal playing out just south: The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME is tracking an 'incredible push of bigger fish' in the striper migration, with linesiders already pressing into Boston Harbor and south-shore waters. On The Water's May 8 migration map confirmed post-spawn bass spreading 'at full speed' from the Chesapeake across the Northeast — that front is Maine-bound. Inland, landlocked salmon and brook trout are in their prime mid-May window across both drainages, with caddis activity typically ramping this week. Smallmouth bass are beginning pre-spawn staging on warming rocky flats. No direct on-water reports from the Kennebec or Penobscot surfaced in this week's intel feeds; conditions here are synthesized from gauge data and adjacent regional sources.
Redfish and Trout Primed as LA Gulf Coast Hits Late-Spring Stride
Louisiana Sportsman reported a new No. 2 state-record alligator gar landed May 12 in the Atchafalaya Delta WMA — a headline that captures how energized Louisiana's delta system has become as late spring arrives. NOAA Buoy 42001 is reading 80°F surface water in the Gulf, confirming that coastal Louisiana is firmly in warm-water territory. Seas at Buoy 42067 are running 2.6 feet with light wind, keeping nearshore access open for smaller craft. Those 80°F readings are the typical threshold at which redfish push into shallow marsh grass and tidal cuts in earnest, while speckled trout set up on shell-reef edges and drop-offs as baitfish schools concentrate. The waning crescent moon means tidal amplitude is gaining heading toward the new moon — stronger currents through passes and cuts favor ambush feeders across the delta system. No source-attributed charter or shop reports are in this cycle's feeds; species outlook below reflects seasonal temperature patterns. Check current state regulations before targeting any species with seasonal restrictions.
Shellcracker spawn peaks and alligator gar prowl the Atchafalaya
Nathan Boquet, 16, was fishing the Atchafalaya Delta WMA on May 12 when he landed what Louisiana Sportsman — Fishing confirms is the new No. 2 alligator gar on record in the state — a headline catch that underscores how productive this system is running at the height of spring. USGS gauge 07374000 shows the lower Mississippi flowing at 599,000 cfs with a water temperature of 69°F, conditions that push fish off the main channel and into slower backwaters, sloughs, and flooded Atchafalaya timber. Meanwhile, Wired 2 Fish reports that shellcrackers — the meaty redear sunfish Louisiana anglers prize — are moving onto shallow spawning beds right now, calling May prime season for loading the cooler. Bass are in a post-spawn transition according to Tactical Bassin, with topwater and swimbait patterns both viable around shallow cover. The waning crescent moon favors early-morning low-light windows for the most active feeding.
Post-spawn bass and catfish prime across Kansas and Arkansas Rivers
Water temperature at USGS gauge 06892350 registered 74°F on the evening of May 12, placing Kansas river systems squarely in post-spawn territory for largemouth bass. Tactical Bassin reports this transition is "one of the most predictable times of year" — fish that have left beds are schooling in shallow, heavy cover and trailing bluegill moving onto spawning flats. The blog recommends frogs and topwater poppers at first light in heavy cover, swimbaits skipped around flooded timber as the sun rises, and a finesse drop-shot or Karashi presentation when skies brighten and fish go picky. Fishing the Midwest echoes the value of shallow casting approaches during this early-season warming window, when multiple species stack on flats and channel edges. Channel catfish are feeding actively at 74°F — typical for mid-May on Kansas river systems, though no local shop or charter reports were available this cycle to confirm specifics. Flow reads 2,580 cfs at gauge 06892350, a moderate level that concentrates bait against eddies and wing dams without clearing fish off shallow structure. Waning crescent moon this week favors predawn topwater windows.
Wabash running high as post-spawn bass and walleye hit their stride
USGS gauge 03335500 logged the Wabash River at 7,140 cfs on May 12 — elevated but fishable spring flow pushing bass and catfish toward slack-water eddies, backchannels, and wing-dam pockets. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge; water temps typical for central Indiana in mid-May tend to run in the low-to-mid 60s°F, though anglers should verify locally before heading out. The 2026 Midwest Walleye Challenge is actively running across Indiana through June 28, with catches being logged through the MyCatch app — Outdoor Hub confirmed Indiana is among the six participating states. On the bass side, Tactical Bassin's current coverage puts the bluegill spawn in full swing, with largemouth working heavy shallow cover and topwater drawing strikes throughout the day. Post-spawn smallmouth are transitioning toward deeper hard-bottom structure. Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline is monitored by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant's nearshore buoy network; the corridor typically holds coho and brown trout through late May, though no specific reports for that zone were available this week.
Spring walleye challenge opens as Illinois River runs strong in May
The Illinois River is moving at 39,700 cfs as of May 12 per USGS gauge 05586100 — elevated spring flow that pushes fish toward current breaks, backwater sloughs, and the calmer water behind structure. Outdoor Hub reports the 2026 Midwest Walleye Challenge is now running across six states including Illinois through June 28, making this a prime targeting window for walleye on system lakes and tailwaters. Tactical Bassin notes bass are squarely in the post-spawn transition with the bluegill spawn "in full swing" — a reliable cue that draws largemouth into shallow cover, where topwater and swimbait patterns are producing. On Lake Michigan, no temperature reading was available from sensors this week; IL/IN Sea Grant operates three nearshore buoys on the southern lake and is worth checking before any Chicago-area boat trip. When the main channel runs this high, crappie and catfish typically seek flooded timber and eddies — the same current-break structure that holds walleye.
Spring Chinook Push Peaks on the Snake as Salmonflies Begin to Emerge
The USGS gauge on the Snake River registered 27,000 cfs and 53°F on May 12 — conditions that place the system at the heart of its spring chinook migration window. High snowmelt flows are pushing fish into slower water: inside bends, tailouts, and eddy lines adjacent to the main current. Flylords Mag flags the pre-runoff pressure clock ticking across trout country right now, with accessible smaller tributaries narrowing as flows build. On the hatch front, Caddis Fly (OR) this week published an Articulated Jigged Salmonfly Nymph tutorial, noting these insects "make their emergence from our rivers that they called home for the last 3-4 years" each spring — a pattern directly applicable to Snake River drainages, where salmonfly activity typically builds through May. No dedicated on-the-water local reports are available in this cycle; conditions below are grounded in gauge data and regional seasonal context.
Warm Blue Water Primes Hawaiian Pelagics as Trade Winds Build
NOAA buoy 51002 is reading 79°F surface water as of May 13, while buoy 51004 registers 78°F — blue-water temperatures that place Hawaiian offshore grounds squarely in productive pelagic territory for the early-season push. Seas are running 5.6 to 8.5 feet across the island chain, driven by 7–11 m/s trade winds that will require anglers to pick their departure windows and lee-side launch ramps carefully. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper, maintains moon and tide calendars for the islands; the current waning crescent phase typically concentrates offshore bites in the pre-dawn hours before trade winds build. No charter captain or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so species assessments below are grounded in seasonal norms and buoy-confirmed temperature data rather than confirmed on-water bite reports. Blue marlin, mahi-mahi, ahi, and ono are all in seasonal range given the warm offshore readings.
Bull Reds Running at Saint Simons as Georgia's Saltwater Bite Heats Up
A bull redfish landed in the Saint Simons area highlighted a strong week of saltwater action along Georgia's Atlantic coast, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' May 9 Southern Waters Fishing Report. Angler Tonya Guthrie put a big bull red in the boat mid-week, and correspondent Joshua Barber notes the overall saltwater bite has been broadly improving — spotted seatrout have been cooperating as well. Offshore, there is added reason for optimism heading into summer: South Atlantic states including Georgia received federal approval for greatly expanded red snapper seasons in 2026 through exempted fishing permits, per Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag. NOAA Buoy 41008 recorded 5.9-foot seas and winds near 17 knots overnight May 12–13 — conditions that favor inshore estuaries and marsh creek work over offshore runs until the swell settles. Water temperature data was unavailable from the buoy at report time; check local readings before heading out.
Georgia Bass Hitting Post-Spawn as Savannah River Falls and Shellcrackers Spawn
The Savannah River near Clyo was running at 4,050 cfs and falling as of May 12 (USGS gauge 02197000), providing improving clarity for freshwater anglers across the drainage. Per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, guide Joshua Barber's May 9 Southern Waters report confirms the bass bite has been good across the region, with river levels on the Savannah actively dropping. Earlier this spring, Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing spotlighted a Morgan County angler who landed an 8-lb, 11-oz largemouth on a spinnerbait in post-rain conditions — a marker of how productive the bite has been. With bass now past their peak spawn and entering an early summer transition, Tactical Bassin notes fish are schooling and responding well to topwater and shallow-cover soft plastics. Meanwhile, Wired 2 Fish reports that redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are pushing into the shallows to spawn, making May one of the best bream-fishing windows of the entire year across Georgia's reservoirs and river backwaters.