Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Colorado tailwaters rolling into prime season as snowmelt and hatches converge
USGS gauge 09095500 recorded the Colorado River near Cameo at 61°F and 1,940 cfs on the morning of May 12 — a measurable rise from the 1,380 cfs that Crystal Fly Shop described as 'very fishy' during their late-April survey between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. At that time, Crystal Fly Shop called conditions 'sensational,' with water temps climbing and BWO and caddis activity beginning to peak. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing has noted an unusually early spring warm-up on Colorado watersheds, flagging reliable midge hatches and the BWO transition as the top patterns right now. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) adds an important caveat: this winter's historically low snowpack means runoff may arrive earlier and run lower than normal — which could shorten the high-water window but also bring favorable technical conditions sooner. Brown trout and rainbows on tailwater reaches are the primary targets across both the Colorado and Arkansas drainages heading into mid-May.
Central Coast Salmon Bite Improves as Cooler Water Returns Below Pigeon Point
Water temperatures along the California Central Coast are holding 52–59°F across our NOAA buoy network as of May 12, and the recent cooldown is paying dividends for chinook salmon. Per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reported "vastly improved salmon conditions" below Pigeon Point after temps dropped roughly four degrees from the 58°F mark at the season's April 11 opening. Davis noted the shift to cooler, visually distinct water is significant: "it makes a huge difference on the water." Rockfish and nearshore halibut remain typical mid-May targets on the Central Coast, though no charter or shop sources from those fisheries surfaced in this reporting cycle. The waning crescent moon keeps tidal swings moderate this week, favoring low-light feeding windows at dawn — plan early departures to capitalize on the bite before afternoon winds build.
Colorado River tailwater trout in prime form as Salt River bass exit the spawn
The USGS gauge on the Colorado registered 55°F and 6,680 cfs at 8 a.m. on May 12 — textbook mid-May tailwater conditions that keep rainbow and brown trout feeding steadily through the reach below Glen Canyon Dam. Flows are running at a moderate steady release; wading is feasible along shallower margins, and there is ample productive water for anglers drifting from a boat. Hatch Magazine's coverage of caddis emergence timing aligns with what you would expect for mid-May on Southwestern tailwaters, making soft-hackle patterns and elk hair caddis worth having on hand through evening windows. On the Salt River, bass are finishing the spawn and entering the post-spawn transition. Tactical Bassin reports that in early May fish are beginning to school near heavy cover, responding especially well to topwater frogs in areas where the bluegill spawn is active — a pattern that maps closely to the Salt's brushy coves and backwater arms. Mid-May is one of the better overall windows of the year on both systems.
Gulf of Alaska Enters Prime King Salmon Window as Spring Takes Hold
NOAA buoy 46001 logged 42°F surface water temperatures across the Gulf of Alaska on May 12, with buoys 46066 and 46080 confirming similar cold conditions region-wide. Wind speeds of 8–9 meters per second (roughly 16–18 knots) were recorded at all three stations, though no wave-height readings were available in this cycle. None of the angler-intel feeds carried direct bite reports from Gulf of Alaska captains or tackle shops this week, so species guidance here draws on seasonal timing and buoy data rather than on-the-water testimony. Mid-May is historically one of the strongest months for spring king salmon in the Gulf, with Chinook typically running nearshore corridors through June. Pacific halibut effort also ramps up through May as weather windows improve and charter fleets expand. AK Sea Grant's spring Mariculture Conference coverage — drawing over 300 participants in Anchorage — reflects the broader fishing community's active posture heading into the Gulf's prime season.
Kenai snowmelt surge underway as king salmon season draws near
USGS gauge 15266300 recorded 2,740 cfs and 41°F on the Kenai system this morning (May 12), marking the classic mid-May snowmelt surge that defines the transition from winter to salmon season in southcentral Alaska. No direct angler intel from the Kenai or interior river corridors appeared in our feeds this week — the region falls outside the coverage footprint of most active charter and shop sources. Based on seasonal norms, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden remain the primary active targets in cold, clearing sections away from mainstem turbidity. Interior rivers holding Arctic grayling typically see good nymph and dry-fly action in mid-May as insects begin emerging in calmer reaches. The king salmon run — the Kenai's signature fishery — remains weeks away from its early-season opener, typically mid-to-late May for the lower river and later for upstream sections. Check state regulations for the 2026 season before heading out.
Largemouth bass hot on the bluegill spawn across Hartwell-Russell chain
Georgia Wildlife Blog's April 24 report of an 8-lb 11-oz largemouth taken on a spinnerbait in Morgan County — just after post-rain conditions cleared — is the sharpest Georgia inland bass signal in recent weeks and confirms post-spawn fish are actively feeding. Savannah drainage at USGS gauge 02192000 reads 689 cfs as of May 12, and GA Sportsman's May 9 field report clocked the Savannah at Clyo at 3.3 feet and falling — a settling trend that points toward improving clarity across both Hartwell and Russell. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, making shallow heavy-cover topwater patterns the headline technique right now. Crappie, per Georgia Wildlife Blog's April reports, were stacked in 3–8 feet around brush piles and docks through the spawn; by mid-May, post-spawn fish are sliding toward deeper structure. The waning crescent moon favors early-morning low-light windows for topwater action this week.
Post-Spawn Bass Chase Bluegill Beds as Delta Tides Run Hard
USGS gauge 11455420 logged a strong reverse tidal flow of -57,800 cfs in the Delta's early-morning hours on May 12, a signal of robust tidal exchange pushing bait against channel edges and current breaks. No water temperature reading was available at this station. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is "in full swing" and big largemouth are on the prowl in shallow heavy cover — frogs over floating mats and topwater on open edges are drawing explosive strikes. Wired 2 Fish reinforces the picture: warming spring conditions continue driving bass shallow, and post-spawn schools have consolidated, meaning one located pod can produce fish after fish for hours. Delta staples like striped bass and catfish are also in their seasonal stride, with stripers completing their post-spawn downstream migration through the main channels. No direct Delta charter or captain reports were available this cycle; striper and catfish observations are based on typical May patterns for this region.
Finger Lakes Enter Prime Pre-Spawn Window for Bass and Trout
USGS gauge 04232050 is reading 51°F on tributary inflows this morning — just below the bass spawn threshold and squarely in the feeding zone for both trout and transitioning bass. Per Wired 2 Fish, warming spring temperatures are pushing largemouth and smallmouth toward shallow structure, creating what the outlet describes as some of the best fishing of the year. Tactical Bassin confirms that early May marks one of the most predictable stretches of the season, with bass schooling up as they move through pre-spawn staging — and when you locate them, it can be fish after fish for hours. On The Water's recent profile of Onondaga Lake's trophy bass recovery highlights how Central New York fisheries are producing quality fish this spring, a trend consistent with what Finger Lakes anglers typically see across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Tributary flow is a modest 24.4 cfs — low and clear — which typically rewards finesse presentations over power fishing. Trout remain in their optimal temperature band before summer stratification pushes them deeper. Tonight's waning crescent moon may tighten the best bite toward first light.
Brook trout and landlocked salmon prime as Rangeley's spring window opens
The Ellis River (USGS gauge 01054200) is running at 99.8 cfs this morning — a moderate, wading-friendly spring flow for Androscoggin headwaters tributaries. No water temperature is available from the gauge, but mid-40s to low-50s°F are typical for the region in mid-May. Mainely Fly Fishing reported ice-out on area ponds as early as April 4 this season, a notably early start that means the Rangeley Lakes system has likely been open water for several weeks and post ice-out trout and salmon should be in active feeding mode. Brook trout (squaretails) are traditionally found at tributary mouths and rocky shoals this time of year, responding to streamers and early-season dries. Landlocked salmon concentrate near tributary inlets as spring smelt runs wind down. Lake trout hold in deeper water but rise toward the surface during cool morning hours. Verify any seasonal closures against current state regulations before heading out.
Penobscot Running High — Shift to Moosehead for Togue and Salmon
The USGS gauge on the upper Penobscot (site 01030500) registered 7,010 cfs as of early May 12 — a robust spring pulse reflecting ongoing snowmelt and runoff across the Moosehead-to-Millinocket corridor. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge. River fishing will be challenging under these elevated flows, with strong current and turbidity making wading difficult throughout much of the upper drainage. Attention should shift to Moosehead Lake itself, where post-ice-out conditions typically set the table for lake trout (togue) and landlocked Atlantic salmon in the top 20 feet of the water column. No direct reports from local guides or tackle shops reached our feeds this week, so this report draws on seasonal patterns and available gauge data. The waning crescent moon reduces nighttime light pressure and can improve early-morning feeding windows along rocky drop-offs and tributary confluences.
Pre-runoff window narrows on Yellowstone and Snake as spring flows build
Water temp logged 52°F on the Yellowstone drainage at USGS gauge 06192500 early Tuesday, with flow running at 7,150 cfs — strong spring runoff signaling the pre-peak window is open but closing. Flylords Mag frames the moment precisely: "The Mother's Day Caddis Hatch is the unofficial kickoff of the best of pre-runoff fishing, when every day might be your last on the creek for as long as a month, depending on how the snow melts." On the main Yellowstone and Snake, these flows push cutthroat and brown trout tight to bank seams, slack-water pockets, and tributary mouths. Hatch Magazine's coverage of caddis emergences — explicitly referencing the Yellowstone Hatches context — suggests bug activity is beginning to fire even as mainstem conditions get big and fast. Heavy nymphing with stonefly patterns, streamers swung along grassy cutbanks, and any afternoon caddis window are the plays right now.
Spring salmon season builds on Indiana's Lake Michigan shore
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record coho salmon harvest lake-wide in 2024 — more than 210,000 fish, the most ever recorded — fueled by strong alewife forage classes that drove exceptional survival of stocked chinook and coho. That robust forage base sets a strong foundation heading into the 2026 season on Indiana's southern Lake Michigan shoreline. No current buoy readings are available for the Indiana nearshore zone; anglers should check IL/IN Sea Grant's three Lake Michigan nearshore buoys for real-time water temperature and wave conditions before launching. Waning crescent moon phase this week typically concentrates salmon and trout feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Mid-May traditionally marks the heart of the coho trolling season out of Michigan City and Portage, with chinook action building through the back half of the month. Yellow perch remain a reliable pier target in spring. Steelhead runs typical for March and April are tapering off at this point in the season.
Wing dam walleye and post-spawn bass prime on Iowa's Upper Mississippi
Water temps at 63°F recorded by USGS gauge 05420500 signal the Upper Mississippi pools between Clinton and Dubuque are deep into spring transition. Walleye — the pools' signature gamefish — are active along current-break structure: AnglingBuzz is currently spotlighting shallow-water walleye tactics across Midwest river systems, while Fishing the Midwest recommends jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs for fish that have dispersed from spawning areas onto wing dam faces and channel ledges. Bass are in post-spawn transition — Tactical Bassin calls this window "one of the most predictable times of year" and highlights topwater, swimbaits, and finesse rigs as a versatile toolkit for fish moving between shallow cover and open water. River flow sits at 76,700 cfs, making current-seam positioning near wing dams and submerged structure the key adjustment. A waning crescent moon keeps overnight sky glow low — expect tighter dawn and dusk feeding windows. Check state regulations before harvesting walleye.
White River trout in prime wade window as generation pauses at Bull Shoals and Norfork
USGS gauge 07060710 at Norfork logged 64°F water and a near-zero flow of 5.73 cfs early this morning — a classic low-generation window that turns the White River into premier wade-fishing water. With both Bull Shoals and Norfork dams releasing minimal flow, expect crystal-clear conditions and trout stacked in the deepest available runs and coldest seams near the dam outlets. At 64°F, water temperatures are pressing the upper edge of the comfortable feeding range for rainbow and brown trout, so the most reliable action will come in early-morning hours and again after sunset when surface temps ease. MidCurrent's fly-tying coverage this week spotlighted midge-style patterns designed for the "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — exactly the White River's profile during no-generation periods. Small midges (#20–24), scuds, and sowbugs remain the year-round staples; watch for afternoon caddis activity as May afternoons warm.
Bass on the bluegill spawn and crappie going shallow at Lanier & Allatoona
The USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam logged 636 cfs at 48°F early this morning — cold tailwater that keeps trout holding below Lanier Dam while the reservoir above runs warmer for bass and crappie. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing recently reported an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken on a spinnerbait in Morgan County after post-rain clearing, a pattern consistent with north Georgia reservoir bass right now. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, with big largemouth patrolling shallow heavy cover; topwater frogs and swimbaits are the featured presentation. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing also confirms spring crappie have pushed into 3–8 feet around brush piles, docks, and fallen timber to spawn, responding best to live minnows and small jigs fished during early-morning and late-afternoon windows. With a waning crescent moon shrinking pre-dawn light, first-light topwater and jig sessions are the priority this week.
Smokies trout in the zone as mid-May hatches begin to fire
USGS gauge 03512000 logged 58°F and 226 cfs in a Smokies-area drainage early on May 12 — water temps sitting squarely in the trout feeding zone. No direct tackle-shop or guide dispatches from Western NC surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here draw on gauge data and seasonal context. At 58°F, trout metabolism and surface activity typically ramp up considerably: expect fish to be mobile, feeding both sub-surface and at the film during afternoon hours. MidCurrent's current Tying Tuesday roundup describes patterns covering "every feeding lane from the surface film to open water" as "hatches begin to fire and predatory fish start pushing into the shallows" — language that maps well onto mid-May Smokies dynamics. Flylords Mag identifies the Mother's Day Caddis Hatch as "the unofficial kickoff of the best of pre-runoff fishing." With water at this temperature, that window is either open or very close. Flows at 226 cfs are moderate and wading-friendly on most reaches.
Bull Reds Flood Cape Lookout Shoals and Pamlico as May Push Arrives
Schools of bull red drum are working the Cape Lookout shoals this week — Steve of Chasin' Tails reports solid action off Morehead/Atlantic Beach, with plenty of good-sized bluefish running in the same water, per Fisherman's Post (NC). On the Pamlico Sound side, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reports slot-sized red drum pushing throughout the Neuse River system, with the bite covering nearly the full stretch of the river. Along the Outer Banks surf, Ryan of Hatteras Jack confirms that red drum have made a strong push onto Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches. NOAA buoy 41037 recorded wind at 10 m/s (roughly 19 knots) Tuesday morning with air temps near 18°C — enough breeze to push bait and fish tight to surf edges and sound structure. Offshore, expanded red snapper access under the new South Atlantic EFP program opens May 22, per Saltwater Sportsman, giving anglers an extended window not seen at this scale in several years.
Black drum and post-spawn stripers converge on Chincoteague's barrier islands
NOAA buoy 44014 is reading 72°F as of May 12 — warm water that's pulling migratory species to Virginia's barrier island chain right on cue. Sport Fishing Mag reports that big black drum are transitioning from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay along the barrier islands through May, gorging on crabs, clams, and mussels; inlet structure and nearshore rock piles around Chincoteague are prime intercept water. At the same time, On The Water's May 8 striper migration map confirms post-spawn bass are pouring out of the Chesapeake and spreading along the coast, putting fish within range of inlet mouths and nearshore rips. The waning crescent moon limits tidal amplitude this week, which can concentrate bait at current seams. Summer flounder, typical for this region in warming May water, should be moving up into inlet channels, though no Chincoteague-specific reports are in hand.
Bluegill spawn fires up bass action at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing in early May — a reliable trigger that draws big largemouth out of post-spawn staging and into shallow heavy cover. The Roanoke River (USGS gauge 02075045) was running at 594 cfs as of early May 12, and while no water temperature reading is available, mid-May typically sees surface temps climbing through the upper 60s at both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island. Wired 2 Fish notes that warming temperatures are pushing bass shallow and creating some of the best action of the year. Tactical Bassin's early-May field report details a mixed pattern — a finesse Karashi bite, topwater walk-the-dog, and a Magdraft swimbait skipped around flooded timber — all techniques well-suited to the cove structure and submerged wood at both lakes. Virginia's freshwater crappie fishery is also in strong form: Wired 2 Fish reported a new IGFA black crappie world record caught at Lake Chesdin in December, a sign of what the Commonwealth's reservoirs can produce.
Spring Stripers Surge Through Raritan Bay as Sea Bass Opener Approaches
NOAA buoy 44065 is logging 52°F water in the outer bay — cool but no obstacle for the spring striper run that has clearly arrived in force. Capt. Pete Wagner of the Hyper Striper tells The Fisherman — Northern NJ it was 'another super week' in Raritan Bay, with keepers to 25 pounds on every trip and more fish still working northward from the south. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports Sandy Hook beaches have been 'lit up' with stripers chomping bunker chunks and clams, while surfcasters tossing glide baits and rubbertails are also connecting. Blue Chip Sportfishing is calling the current bite 'the best striper fishing possible.' Black drum have joined the action along The Hook on clam baits, offering a bonus target for surf anglers. Fluke season opened May 4 but remains slow — Capt. Ron at Atlantic Highlands reports little activity in still-cold water — with anticipation building for the sea bass opener on May 15.
Black Drum Join the Party as Stripers Dominate Delaware Bay
Water temperatures at 53°F per NOAA buoy 44009 haven't slowed what multiple Southern NJ sources describe as an exceptional spring. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports from Boulevard Bait & Tackle and Fin-Atics confirm striped bass feeding hard along the oceanfront and back-bay edges, with fish from slot size to 48-plus inches. Fresh and salted clams are the clear top bait, though soft plastics and glide baits are also producing. Alongside the stripers, a push of black drum has materialized — Boulevard Bait reported drum to 38 inches clam-soaked in the wash. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf's Nick Honachefsky described it as a drum push 'surprising many a clamslinger looking for bass.' Flounder season opened May 4, and while keepers have appeared in back bays and off jetties per One Stop Bait and Tackle, the bite stays inconsistent in cool water. Boaters in Cape May County should note the Spicers Creek ramp is closed May 11–14 for dock renovations (NJ Fish & Wildlife News).
Bass and Crappie Firing in Central MA as Bluegill Spawn Peaks
Jeff Sullivan connected with outsized crappie slabs at Cook Pond, Massachusetts this past week — fish running 18 to 19 inches, most on NLBN paddle tails and a Strike King spinnerbait (The Fisherman — New England Freshwater) — a strong signal that the mid-May freshwater bite is building across central MA impoundments. Spring trout stocking continues region-wide per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, with multiple stocked waters producing well. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands reported that freshwater fishing across the region "has not missed a beat," with big trout and largemouth both providing consistent action. USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River, Quabbin's primary outflow, recorded 66.5 cfs on May 12 — stable reservoir conditions heading into the weekend. Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing region-wide, drawing largemouth tight to shallow cover; topwater frog and popper patterns at dawn and dusk should produce around Wachusett's protected coves.
Big Stripers Going Topwater Across Upper Buzzards Bay
Water temperatures of 51°F at NOAA buoy 44085 have Buzzards Bay firing on all cylinders this week. Charley Soares, reporting in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, puts the focus squarely on upper Buzzards Bay, where schools of stripers — 'very few of them below 37 inches' — are locked into a topwater bite stretching from Fairhaven west toward the Canal. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters is finding bass 'coming over the rail in very good numbers,' mostly in the 37-inch class with slot fish harder to come by. AJ at Red Top Sporting Goods spent a day off fishing mid to upper Buzzards Bay and found 'slots to jumbos breaking on bait.' Tautog are described as 'very good and getting better' around Canal openings, the West Falmouth shoreline, and Cleveland Light per Red Top. Scup have just arrived en masse — Soares notes the 'big scup bite just began' on rock piles from West Island to Wareham.
Spring Chinook season peaks on the Columbia amid heavy snowmelt
Water temperature at 58°F on the Columbia (USGS gauge 14105700, May 12) places the river squarely in the productive range for spring Chinook salmon, while flows running at 178,000 cfs reflect a system elevated with mid-May snowmelt. This week's regional intel feeds returned no bite-specific updates for the main-stem Columbia — IFish.net Fishing Reports from the Oregon stretch posted only lost-gear notices rather than fishing updates, leaving conditions to be read primarily through gauge data and seasonal patterns. At 58°F, spring Chinook are metabolically active and moving through lower-river water; elevated flows will push fish tight to current seams, slack-water eddies, and slower pockets behind channel structure. White sturgeon remain resident in deep-water holes throughout the system and concentrate near prey-rich scour areas during high-runoff periods. Lower-river anglers should time presentations around incoming tide windows, when Columbia current briefly slackens and fish stack in predictable holding water.