Fishing reports
19291 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Yakima flows steady as trout, bass, and walleye hit mid-May stride
USGS gauge 12484500 logged 2,120 cfs on the Yakima River in the early hours of May 12 — elevated snowmelt-driven flows typical for this time of year that push trout into slower eddies, side channels, and foam lines. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but mid-May Eastern WA conditions historically sit in the upper 40s to low-to-mid 50s°F, a sweet spot for sustained trout feeding. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes ongoing fish-stocking activity statewide through spring, bolstering rainbow trout opportunity across the region's reservoirs and smaller stillwaters. Bass are entering the post-spawn transition: Wired 2 Fish reports warming temperatures are pushing largemouth shallow and calls it "some of the best fishing of the year," while Tactical Bassin highlights topwater frogs, swimbaits, and a finesse Karashi rig as go-to presentations for this transitional window. Fly anglers targeting the Yakima should watch for caddis activity — MidCurrent's current piece on caddis emergences notes these hatches are a cornerstone of May trout fishing on Western rivers.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers Enter the Spring Chinook Window
USGS gauge 12041200 recorded 1,020 cfs on the morning of May 12, while gauge 12035000 logged 709 cfs — both figures placing Peninsula drainages in a fishable, mid-spring flow range without flood or low-water extremes. Water temperature readings were unavailable from either station. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors statewide angling activity but had not issued specific current-conditions detail for Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers at time of publication; species statuses below reflect seasonal timing and gauge data rather than confirmed bite reports. Mid-May marks the seasonal pivot on these drainages: winter steelhead fisheries are winding down as remaining fish push into upper reaches, while the first wave of spring Chinook typically begins entering river mouths and staging in lower holding water. Anglers working these conditions generally focus on deep inside bends and slow tailouts, presenting roe, sand shrimp, or large swung flies near the bottom. A waning crescent moon sets up low-light windows at dawn and dusk as the windows to prioritize.
Panhandle Trout Bite ON as Gulf Waters Reach Late-Spring Prime
NOAA buoy 42039 logged 78°F Gulf surface temps this morning — right in the sweet spot for Panhandle late-spring action. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms the statewide signal this week: the trout bite is on across Florida, and Panhandle grass flats and nearshore ledges are well-positioned to deliver on that pattern. Wind readings are split: buoy 42039 recorded near-calm 1 m/s conditions while buoy 42012 showed 8 m/s, a reminder that Gulf sea state can vary sharply by departure point. Today's waning crescent moon favors low-light feeding windows — first light and the final hour before dark are your best bets inshore. Beyond trout, May traditionally brings the tail end of cobia's spring beach migration and Spanish mackerel working through inlets and nearshore structure. No Gulf red snapper season update was included in this reporting cycle's intel; verify current federal regs before targeting reef species offshore.
Jack Crevalle Schooling and Reds Slotting Up in Sarasota Bay
Water temps locked in at 78–79°F across the Gulf (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013) are keeping Sarasota Bay's inshore bite firing on multiple fronts. Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports Jack Crevalle schooling near the surface throughout Sarasota Bay in classic May fashion, targeting oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — hit them early on fast-retrieved topwater poppers or jigs where birds are working. Capt. Chuck Cress (also CB's Saltwater Outfitters) has been putting anglers on upper-slot redfish in the 20–25-inch range alongside solid trout, with multiple fish caught and released on recent outings. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider report echoes the statewide signal, calling the trout bite 'ON across Florida.' Snook are building toward their pre-spawn push around passes and shallow structure. Light winds and stable warm conditions have bait moving freely, making this one of the better inshore windows of the season.
Cooler Temps Spark Spring Salmon Improvement Along NorCal Coast
Water temperatures along the Northern California coast dropped to 54°F near the Half Moon Bay–Pigeon Point corridor, triggering a notable uptick in salmon activity. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing saw 'vastly improved salmon conditions' after temps fell from 58°F at the April 11 season opener to the current 54°F — a four-degree shift that pushed bonito offshore while bringing Chinook into better holding depth. Offshore swell remains elevated: NOAA buoy 46026 logged 5.6-foot wave heights Tuesday morning, and buoy 46013 off Bodega registered 6 m/s winds and a 52°F air temp. Boats heading outside should plan for a moderate westerly chop. The waning crescent moon provides low-light pre-dawn windows through mid-week — historically a productive phase for salmon and Bay-mouth halibut seeking structure before the morning light builds.
Lake Superior whitefish surge as UP trout streams hit spring stride
The Ontonagon River is flowing at 415 cfs (USGS gauge 04059500) as of May 12 — a moderate, wadeable spring level that puts UP trout anglers in solid position for mid-May. No water temperature was logged at the gauge this cycle. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing notes that lake whitefish in Chequamegon Bay have emerged as a standout open-water fishery in recent years, drawing anglers from both ice and boat; a management questionnaire that closed April 30 is now feeding into state planning for this growing stock. AnglingBuzz's recent spotlight on 'Shallow Water Walleyes, Sturgeon & Lake Superior Tactics' points to near-shore walleye activity along Superior's shoreline as a current-season focus. The waning crescent moon minimizes overnight light, typically improving early-morning dry-fly windows on UP brook trout streams. Check local forecasts before heading out — spring weather along the UP shifts quickly.
Saginaw Bay walleye and smallmouth moving into prime mid-May window
Michigan Sea Grant recently launched a new research project specifically tracking seasonal movements and populations of smallmouth bass in Saginaw Bay, signaling the fishery's growing spring importance to Great Lakes anglers and scientists alike. No live buoy or USGS gauge readings were available at report time, leaving current water temperatures unconfirmed — check local sources before launching. That said, mid-May historically marks a productive transition on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay: post-spawn walleye have scattered off early-season shoals and are feeding on mid-depth structure and open-water baitfish. Smallmouth bass are staging on rocky points and gravel flats throughout Lake Huron's eastern basin ahead of their spawn. The waning crescent moon this week tends to concentrate active feeding into low-light windows — early morning and the final hour before sunset are prime. Yellow perch remain a reliable secondary target on the shallower inner bay. Confirm current bite reports with a local bait shop before heading out.
Late steelhead give way to bass at the Grand River mouth
Grand River flows logged at 4,280 cfs by USGS gauge 04119000 on the morning of May 12, pushing a plume of spring-stained water into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. No water temperature is available from the gauge at time of publication. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a banner 2024 season on the lake — coho salmon harvest exceeding 210,000 fish (a record) and Chinook topping 160,000, the strongest tally since 2012, driven by robust alewife year classes improving stocking survival rates. Direct on-water reports for the Grand River mouth were not captured in today's feeds. Seasonally, mid-May marks the tail end of the spring steelhead run and the start of active smallmouth bass around harbor structure and nearshore rock. Waning crescent moon conditions favor low-light feeding windows at first and last light this week.
Puget Sound Spring Chinook Peaks as WA Coast Halibut Season Hits Stride
Moderate offshore swells of 4.6 to 5.6 feet were logged this morning by NOAA buoys 46087 and 46041, with air temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s°F — on par with typical mid-May conditions along the Washington coast. Wind at the outer-coast buoy 46041 measured 6 m/s (~12 knots), while the more sheltered station 46087 showed near-calm conditions at 2 m/s. No water temperature readings were returned from either station this cycle. Direct catch data is thin in this update window; WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms statewide creel monitoring is active, but no bite-specific tallies reached this feed. Mid-May is historically peak season for Puget Sound spring Chinook, with hatchery-supported returns moving through the Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Pacific halibut and lingcod are simultaneously in season along the coast. Confirm current area-specific emergency closures, punchcard requirements, and retention rules with WA WDFW before heading out.
Redfish and Speckled Trout Firing Across Galveston-to-Corpus Bays in Mid-May
Water temps at 76–77°F (NOAA buoys 42035 and 42020) have the Texas Gulf Coast bay fishery humming. The Galveston Daily News — Reel Report confirmed solid catches across the Galveston Bay complex leading into and through the past weekend, with bay anglers reporting fish from multiple locations. The Texas Redfish Rumble on May 2, headquartered at Pier 6 in San Leon, showcased strong redfish activity on the upper Texas coast. Further south, TexasFishingTips (YT) has charter captains filing fresh reports from Rockport-Copano, Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre, and Aransas Pass — prime speckled trout and redfish territory. Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights using electronics to locate speckled trout in ship channels, a productive late-spring tactic as fish set up on current lines. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes 2026 is shaping up as a record year for Texas anglers, and the 37th annual CCA STAR Tournament is now underway. Flounder are typical at bay passes and channel mouths this time of year, though no direct reports have surfaced this week.
Eagle Mountain blue catfish peak as May inflows push big fish to feed
Water temp at USGS gauge 08211200 is reading 80°F — well into the range that energizes Texas freshwater through May. North Texas Catfish Guide, running charters on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, reports the lake is nearly full with fresh-water inflows creating prime conditions: anglers are landing easy limits of big blue catfish, with multiple fish over 30 pounds showing up on most trips. "Fish are moving, fish are feeding — and when you get on them, it happens fast," the guide notes. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across Texas lakes, a reliable trigger that draws big largemouth into shallow heavy cover for topwater and frog presentations. LakeForkGuy is flagging what he describes as "the most aggressive crappie bite of the year" in the post-spawn window, as fish scatter from beds to nearby main-lake structure. The waning crescent moon this week favors steady daytime bites over peak nocturnal windows.
Striper surge in Narragansett Bay as squid and tautog join the push
NOAA buoy 44085 logged water temperatures at 51°F on May 12, and the bite is keeping pace with the calendar. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported stripers to 47 inches out of Narragansett Bay in its May 7 forecast, with On The Water confirming the 2026 striper migration is running at full speed as post-spawn fish spread northward from the Chesapeake. Per The Fisherman — Rhode Island, Chris at The Saltwater Edge heard reports of nice-sized bass being taken by both boat and surf anglers inside the bay; a sustained south wind pushed bait and linesides within surfcasting range, with the bigger fish keying on adult bunker and herring — large soft plastics and topwater plugs have been the ticket. Squid have arrived in earnest: the Frances Fleet ran dedicated trips Friday with customers filling buckets, and Booked Off Charters notes tautog fishing is improving across the bay and around the islands. Fluke are beginning to filter in, with action picking up toward Block Island. Offshore wave heights of 2–3 feet warrant a pre-launch weather check.
Spring Chinook On the Move at Oregon's Columbia Mouth
NOAA buoys 46002 and 46029 both read 57°F offshore this week — solidly within the window that concentrates spring Chinook near Oregon's tidal zones. Saltwater Sportsman reports active chinook and coho fishing at Buoy 10 near Astoria and Warrenton, with Capt. Hugh Harris describing a fleet of river sleds converging on the Columbia River mouth for close-quarters battles with fish that have survived the full Pacific gauntlet. Offshore, a 4.6-foot swell at buoy 46002 and winds running 7–9 m/s across multiple stations will limit access for smaller craft; pick morning windows before the afternoon thermal builds. Bottom fishing for rockfish and lingcod typically picks up through mid-May as nearshore reefs settle into spring patterns, and Pacific halibut is typically in season now — check current regulations before heading out for bag limits and area closures.
Spring Chinook peak meets post-spawn bass on the Columbia & Rogue
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 65°F and 9,510 cfs on the evening of May 11, signaling a warming pulse that accelerates mid-spring transitions across the Columbia and Rogue systems. Spring Chinook remain the marquee fishery on both rivers through late May. The 65°F reading is especially significant for smallmouth bass: Wired 2 Fish notes that spring warmth consistently pushes bass into shallow, aggressive feeding windows — some of the best of the season. Tactical Bassin reports that bass are navigating the post-spawn and early-summer transition right now, with topwater and swimbait presentations both producing when anglers adapt quickly to the daily pattern. On the Rogue's fly-water reaches, MidCurrent's recent caddis emergence coverage points to improving dry-fly and swing-fly conditions as freestone temperatures rise. Flows above 9,500 cfs favor drift-boat and jet-sled access on the main stems; wade anglers should target shallower side channels and tributary mouths.
Spring striper run lights up Long Island as fluke season opens
Water temperatures holding at 52°F across the region (per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065), and that's been enough to ignite one of Long Island's most active spring striper runs in years. On The Water's May 7 report confirms a wave of big bass hitting the South Shore surf, while fish to 25 pounds-plus are chasing bunker east along the North Shore. The Fisherman — Long Island North Shore logs bass to 45 inches out of Glenwood Landing on trolled umbrella rigs, and Capt. Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters tallied 7–11 fish per morning tide earlier in the week on the South Shore. Jamaica Bay remains red hot for schoolies per The Fisherman — Long Island West End, with Clousers and sand-eel patterns on moving water at dawn. Fluke season opened this week with early keepers arriving — one 8-pound doormat was landed in Great South Bay per The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore. The first bluefish are trickling into Shinnecock Inlet and Breezy Point per The Fisherman — Long Island Surf, signaling more action ahead.
Hudson stripers push north as Finger Lakes walleye season opens
Water temps on Catskill Creek are holding at 57°F as of early May 12 (USGS gauge 01357500), a reading that puts the Hudson Valley squarely in prime spring territory. On The Water's May 8 striper migration map confirms the 2026 run is hitting full speed, with post-spawn fish spreading out of the Chesapeake and across the Northeast — the Hudson River corridor is directly in that push. Meanwhile, NY DEC The Fishing Line (April 24 issue) reports that hatchery crews have been actively stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout across New York, making Hudson Valley tributaries well worth a visit right now. The coolwater sportfish season — walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge — opened statewide May 1 per DEC, giving Finger Lakes anglers fresh access to those fisheries. The Hudson mainstem near Green Island is running high at 12,500 cfs (USGS gauge 01358000), concentrating bait along current seams and pushing stripers into predictable staging areas.
Jersey Shore stripers on fire as post-spawn push peaks
Water temps holding at 52°F across NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 haven't slowed the spring striper run one bit. Fishermans HQ LBI reports the Long Beach Island surf is 'as good as it gets,' with fish working cuts, bowls, troughs, and gutters from end to end. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls it 'the best Striper Fishing possible,' while Grumpys Tackle confirms strong action both in the surf and the bay on clams and jointed glide baits. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports a 50-inch and 46-inch bass released at Point Pleasant, and The Fisherman — Southern NJ notes a 51-inch fish from the surf at Boulevard Bait & Tackle on salted clams. Black drum are mixing in along the oceanfront, hitting fresh clams to 38 inches. On The Water's May 8 Striper Migration Map confirms post-spawn fish pushing hard out of the Chesapeake and spreading across the Northeast. Fluke season opened May 4 and is off to a slow start — cool inshore water is keeping numbers down, though keepers are being picked from the rivers.
Stripers reach Lambertville as Pine Barrens pickerel run hot
Mixed-size striped bass are running the Delaware River as far north as Lambertville, with the best action concentrated near Trenton, per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater. In the Pine Barrens cedar drainages, chain pickerel are delivering some of this week's best freshwater sport; Allen's Dock on Bass River and Hands Too Bait and Tackle both report solid catches on live killies, swimbaits, and spinners. Largemouth bass are active across campground ponds and small lakes on spinnerbaits. Statewide trout fishing, which launched strong after NJ Fish & Wildlife News confirmed more than 180,000 rainbows and 20,000 browns stocked ahead of the April 11 opener, has since quieted to scattered reports at the lower lakes and ponds, per Creekside Outfitters via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater. USGS gauge 01408000 registered 37.1 cfs early on May 12, pointing to moderate, fishable flows through the Pine Barrens drainage.
Nebraska bass firing on topwater as the bluegill spawn peaks
The bluegill spawn is in full swing, per Tactical Bassin, pulling big largemouth into heavy cover and lighting up topwater action — a pattern directly applicable to Nebraska's bass lakes and river backwaters. Wired 2 Fish notes that warming spring temperatures are the underlying trigger, calling this one of the best fishing windows of the year as bass push shallow and feed aggressively. On the access front, Nebraska Game & Parks has opened the new Phillips Canyon boat ramp, making previously hard-to-reach water fishable by boat. Shore anglers at Holmes Lake in Lincoln will also see improvements underway this season. The USGS gauge at the Platte River (site 06796000) recorded 2,120 cfs on May 12 — a workable moderate late-spring flow — though no water temperature reading was available from this station. For walleye and saugeye, Fishing the Midwest recommends jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs as fish transition out of the post-spawn phase.
Atchafalaya gar make headlines as bass shift into post-spawn mode
The Atchafalaya Delta WMA produced a state-record contender this week — Louisiana Sportsman reports 16-year-old Nathan Boquet landed the new No. 2 alligator gar in Louisiana while fishing the delta with friends, a reminder that this drainage holds genuinely trophy-class fish. Our USGS gauge 07374000 shows the Mississippi running a robust 605,000 cfs at 68°F — elevated spring flow that is pushing fish off main-channel banks and into flooded backwater timber and oxbow sloughs. At 68°F, largemouth bass have largely wrapped up spawning and are entering the post-spawn transition, scattering between shallow cover and the first defined depth breaks. Tactical Bassin notes post-spawn fish "immediately begin a transition" between shallows and open water, with topwater and swimbait presentations productive during low-light windows. Catfish and crappie round out near-term action; both species typically peak in productivity through mid-May as water temps stabilize in the upper 60s.
Bluegill spawn ignites Kansas River bass topwater bite
USGS gauge 06892350 clocked 69°F and 3,490 cfs on the Kansas River early this morning, putting water temps squarely in the post-spawn transition window for largemouth bass. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing across the Midwest — a dependable trigger that draws big largemouth into heavy cover for aggressive topwater feeding. Their recent content highlights frog presentations and hollow-body topwaters worked around matted vegetation and woody structure as the go-to approach right now, with fish going on the hunt as bluegill activity peaks. Wired 2 Fish reinforces the pattern, noting that warming spring temperatures continue to push bass shallow and create some of the best fishing of the year during this transition window. At 3,490 cfs, the Kansas River is running a moderate, fishable current — enough to funnel fish into slack-water pockets and eddy lines below structure. Channel catfish are also ramping up as water temps approach the 70°F mark, historically a key threshold for active pre-spawn feeding on these prairie river systems.
Illinois River Running High as Bass Hit Post-Spawn Peak
USGS gauge 05586100 on the Illinois River recorded 41,000 cfs on May 12—well above typical late-spring levels—channeling angler effort toward backwater sloughs and tributary mouths where fish can escape the main-channel push. Water temperature data is unavailable from the current gauge reading. Spring bass activity is ramping up across the region: Wired 2 Fish reports warming temperatures driving largemouth shallow for "some of the best fishing of the year," while Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing and big bass are responding to topwater frogs worked over heavy cover. Fishing the Midwest recommends jig and slip-sinker live-bait rigs as walleye settle into early-summer transition patterns. On Lake Michigan, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant reports its spring buoy deployment season is underway, with nearshore monitoring now active along southern lake waters. High river flows may redirect effort to oxbow backwaters and connected impoundments where catfish and bass seek slower current.
Ahi, Mahi, and Marlin Season Building Offshore Across the Hawaiian Islands
NOAA buoy 51001 recorded 74°F surface temperatures on the morning of May 12, with buoy 51002 — south of the island chain — logging 79°F, bracketing Hawaiian offshore grounds in water that historically supports active pelagic production. Wave heights of 5.9 to 7.9 feet are running across all three monitored stations, with winds holding at 8–9 m/s — typical of sustained northeast trade conditions. Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official catch record-keeper and angler resource, tracks monthly moon and tide calendars that matter most in this waning crescent window. No specific captain or tackle-shop intel was available in this week's feeds; however, water temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s are squarely within the productive range for yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahimahi, and wahoo (ono), with blue marlin numbers typically building toward their June–September peak. Leeward launch windows will be key — north and east exposures are absorbing the current swell.
Permit, Cobia, and Kingfish Light Up the Gulf Coast Offshore
Water temperatures at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 are holding at 78°F as of this morning, confirming the warm-water conditions fueling a diverse Gulf Coast offshore fishery. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters describes current conditions as "as good as it gets for this time of year," with large permit leading the charge through consistent sight-fishing opportunities offshore. Kingfish are a strong secondary story, responding well to plugs and flies, while cobia and amberjacks have also entered the mix — a dynamic multi-species spread that defines the best of the late-spring Gulf pattern. Closer to shore, Saltwater Sportsman highlights the Tampa Bay–centered hogfish fishery, a wrasse that has quietly become one of the Gulf Coast's most prized table fish over the past decade, with dedicated anglers solving rod-and-reel presentations on structure. Light winds at 2–4 m/s at both buoys and calm conditions are keeping offshore windows wide open. The waning crescent moon and mild 77°F air temps complete a favorable setup heading into the week.