Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Finger Lakes bass prime up as May prespawn window opens across the region
USGS gauge 04232050 recorded 54°F water and 44.3 cfs flow in the Finger Lakes watershed this morning — water right at the prespawn staging threshold for smallmouth and largemouth bass across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. On The Water spotlights Central New York's renewed bass scene this week, profiling Onondaga Lake's transformation into a trophy bass fishery, a signal of rising productivity across the broader CNY corridor. Tactical Bassin documents several productive early-May patterns: topwater frogs and swimbaits drawing fish over shallow heavy cover, with drop-shots and finesse rigs picking up post-spawn fish moving off deeper structure. At 54°F, the Finger Lakes sit right on the cusp of the smallmouth spawn — staging fish are feeding aggressively before committing to beds. Lake trout and rainbow trout remain viable targets in the deep basins of Cayuga and Seneca at these temperatures, though no local charter intel is available this week. The Last Quarter moon dampens midday feeding; plan around first light and dusk.
Rangeley landlocked salmon on the feed as spring window opens
Spring arrived early across Maine in 2026 — Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) noted ice-out on Dundee Pond by April 4th — and the Rangeley Lakes chain almost certainly cleared well ahead of its late-April norm. A month on from ice-out, landlocked Atlantic salmon are in peak feeding mode, tracking smelt through inlet coves and near tributary mouths. USGS gauge 01054200 on the Wild River recorded 124 cfs on May 10th — moderate, wadeable conditions for Androscoggin headwater tributaries — though no water temperature was attached to the reading. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) described spring 2026 as arriving 'albeit slowly' despite the early start, suggesting water temperatures may still be climbing toward peak activity. Brook trout are well distributed through feeder streams, and togue (lake trout) remain a viable shallow-water target before summer warmth pushes them to depth. Early caddis and Blue-Winged Olive hatches typically emerge on overcast afternoons by mid-May across this drainage.
Togue and landlocked salmon prime on Moosehead as spring runoff peaks
The upper Penobscot is running at 8,590 cfs as of May 10 (USGS gauge 01030500), reflecting robust late-spring snowmelt draining from the Maine highlands — levels that push main-stem river fishing into a temporary holding pattern while Moosehead Lake itself enters its prime post-ice-out window. No regional tackle shops or charter captains reported specific catch data for this drainage in this week's intel, so conditions below draw from gauge readings and established seasonal norms. Togue (lake trout) and landlocked Atlantic salmon are the marquee targets; Moosehead typically sees its strongest near-surface action for both in the first two to three weeks after ice-out, which for 2026 likely fell in late April or early May. With runoff still pushing through the watershed, tributary mouths along the lake's northern arms can concentrate salmon working toward spawning streams. Smallmouth bass are likely pre-spawn and sluggish in cold water; brook trout remain active in feeder streams and at inlet mouths.
Winnipesaukee Bass Near the Spawn as NH's May Season Opens
The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports largemouth bass hitting hard across southern New England this week, with one angler landing a 7.25-lb fish on a bladed jig after dark and confirming bass visible on beds in Rhode Island — a signal that Winnipesaukee's own bass are likely staging for or entering the spawn as May progresses. No water temperature reading is available at this time; the nearest USGS gauge (01081000, Pemigewasset River at Plymouth, NH) is flowing at 412 cfs, reflecting active spring runoff across the Merrimack watershed. With ice-out now weeks past, lake trout and landlocked salmon are likely settled into their classic early-season trolling zones at 20–40 feet. Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Northeast — a development that traditionally pushes big bass onto shallow rocky flats, setting up one of the year's better topwater windows.
Champlain Smallmouth Staging Pre-Spawn While Landlocked Salmon Stay Hot
Water at USGS gauge 04294500 reads 45°F on the morning of May 10 — squarely in prime territory for landlocked salmon and cool enough to keep smallmouth bass locked in active pre-spawn staging rather than on beds. No Lake Champlain-specific charter, shop, or state agency reports appeared in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here draw on gauge data and regional context from New England freshwater sources. At 45°F, landlocked salmon are likely the stronger near-term bet, cruising open-water column structure and tributary mouths in pursuit of smelt. Smallmouth are building toward the spawn — at this temperature they'll be staged on rocky shoals and points in 10–25 feet, not yet shallow. Fishing the Midwest highlights drop-shot and finesse presentations as consistent smallmouth producers "when the bite is tough," which fits the slow-warming conditions on Champlain right now. Patience and slow retrieves will be the theme until the lake breaks 50°F.
South Platte tailwaters dialed in on midges as BWO season arrives
Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing reports the South Platte is 'waking up much earlier than normal' this spring, with unusually warm temperatures pushing midge hatches ahead of schedule across Colorado's tailwater corridor. The river is running 112 cfs at USGS gauge 06701900 — a low, clear, wade-friendly level that concentrates fish in defined seams and rewards technical presentations. AvidMax Blog spotlights midge emerger patterns like the Chocolate Foam Back and Titan Tube Midge as the workhorses for these conditions, while a BWO transition is gaining momentum alongside persistent midge activity, per Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing. One development demanding attention: Hatch Magazine reports Denver Water plans to fully drain Antero Reservoir in the upper South Platte drainage — a move that could significantly alter cold-water supply and fish population dynamics on the Dream Stream trophy section. Anglers planning Dream Stream visits this season should monitor this situation closely before booking.
Snake River Cutthroat Running High as Teton Snowmelt Peaks
USGS gauge 06192500 measured 5,750 cfs and 48°F on the Snake River at Moran early this morning — classic mid-May runoff territory for the Teton country. Flows are elevated well above base levels as high-country snowpack breaks down into the drainage, pushing fast, cold water through the main stem. No local tackle shop or charter reports surfaced in this week's intel feeds to pin down exactly what's biting where, but at 48°F and flows this robust, Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat will be holding tight to the softer water: behind large boulders, along undercut banks, and in any braided side channel offering relief from the main current push. Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergence timing is foundational to Yellowstone-watershed trout success; early caddis and midge patterns are seasonally on point as water temperatures creep toward the 50°F mark. Pack a sturdy wading staff and fish the margins.
South Fork Snake rising fast — nymph deep now, salmonflies ahead
USGS gauge 13037500 on the Snake River near Heise logged 12,800 cfs Sunday morning, confirming the South Fork is deep into its spring rise. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge. At these levels, wading is largely off the table; a drift boat is the practical way to reach the inside bends and soft current seams where trout stack during high water. Pacific Northwest conditions are signaling what's ahead: Caddis Fly (OR) published a salmonfly nymph tutorial this week, noting that giant stoneflies 'have been in our rivers for the last 3–4 years' before emergence — a reminder that heavy stonefly patterns fished near bottom remain the first play right through peak flow. The Oregon shop also flagged the McKenzie Green Caddis arriving on schedule, pointing to a regional caddis window that typically spreads east toward South Fork waters in the weeks that follow.
Flathead spring surge pushes trout into side channels and the lake
USGS gauge 12372000 logged 20,300 cfs and 53°F at the Flathead River outlet this morning, signaling the heart of snowmelt season across this drainage. Main-stem wading on the Flathead is effectively off the table at these volumes; fish and angling pressure alike are shifting to slower side channels, backwater eddies, and tributary mouth confluences where baitfish and drifting invertebrates concentrate. On the lake itself, lake trout and westslope cutthroat are accessible by boat as surface temperatures creep into the low 50s. The Bitterroot is likely running similarly high, with streamer and large-nymph presentations near cut banks offering the best shot in off-color water. One important note: Flylords Mag recently covered emerging PFAS contamination data showing chemicals detected in fish throughout Montana's most popular fisheries. Check current state consumption advisories before keeping table fish from any water in this system.
Coho run winding down, Chinook staging as May deepens on Indiana's lakeshore
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record-setting 2024 coho harvest lake-wide — more than 210,000 fish — alongside over 160,000 Chinook, the strongest class since 2012, fueled by abundant alewives that continue to underpin the fishery heading into mid-May 2026. No current buoy or gauge readings are available for the Indiana shoreline this reporting cycle; IL/IN Sea Grant maintains three nearshore Lake Michigan monitoring buoys, and anglers should check live buoy data before launching. Mid-May traditionally marks the pivot from peak coho action — which concentrated in April through early May — toward the first credible Chinook appearances as surface temperatures climb. Yellow perch remain a consistent option at pier heads and nearshore structure. Smallmouth bass are entering pre-spawn staging in the warmer shallows along rocky and sandy stretches. Overall conditions favor a productive late-spring outing for anglers willing to adapt presentations to this species-transition window.
Coho salmon prime window opens on Chicago's Lake Michigan lakefront
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented over 210,000 coho salmon harvested in 2024 — a new all-time record — alongside 160,000 Chinook, the strongest king salmon showing since 2012. Both marks were fueled by robust alewife year classes that carried stocked fish to exceptional survival rates across the lake. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this update cycle, and no charter or tackle-shop intel from the immediate Chicago lakefront came through our feeds this week. IL/IN Sea Grant confirms spring is active buoy deployment season for their three nearshore Lake Michigan stations, so real-time water temperature data should improve in the days ahead. Against that backdrop, early May on the Chicago lakefront typically means coho are at or near peak nearshore activity — schools often patrol the top 30 feet within a mile of the breakwalls. With the last-quarter moon this weekend, morning and dusk windows should favor feeding.
Upper Mississippi pools firing up as walleye and bass hit prime spring temps
Water temps hit 60°F at USGS gauge 05420500 Sunday morning, crossing a key threshold for Upper Mississippi productivity between Clinton and Dubuque. At 85,700 cfs, flows are running elevated — current is the story, and fish are stacking in slack water behind wing dams, rock structures, and flooded timber. Per Jason Mitchell Outdoors, the shore walleye bite has turned on across the Upper Midwest right now, with jig presentations and float rigs producing in current seams. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, which triggers some of the year's best shallow largemouth action — big bass are posted in heavy cover and willing to eat topwater frogs and poppers. Fishing the Midwest has been emphasizing spinning gear and live-bait rigs for walleye, a versatile approach that suits the variable current in these Clinton-to-Dubuque pools. The Last Quarter moon keeps light levels low through mid-week, favoring dawn and dusk walleye windows.
Bass and stripers active as bluegill spawn peaks on Texoma and Eufaula
Per Tactical Bassin, the bluegill spawn is now in full swing, with big largemouth pushing hard into shallow heavy cover and committing to frog and topwater presentations — a pattern that plays well on both Lake Texoma and Lake Eufaula in early May. The post-spawn transition is running alongside it, with some fish already staging on deeper channel edges while others hold near the bluegill beds. Tributary inflows are stable and moderate: USGS gauge 07331600 recorded 45.4 cfs on a Texoma-area feeder stream this morning, suggesting no flood disruption to lake levels or clarity. Multiple patterns are open right now — topwater in low light, swimbaits and finesse rigs through midday, and cut-bait drifts on ledges for catfish. Lake Texoma's landlocked striped bass are approaching their typical mid-May surface-feeding window. No local guide reports for either reservoir reached our feeds this week, so species timing is grounded in seasonal norms.
Ozark rainbow trout in prime feeding mode as May hatches come online
USGS gauge 07067000 on the Current River recorded 1,520 cfs on the morning of May 10 — a moderate, fishable spring level that keeps currents moving without burying prime holding structure. No water temperature was available from the gauge this cycle, though mid-May in the Missouri Ozarks typically puts stream temps in the upper 50s to low 60s°F, the sweet spot for active rainbow trout feeding. No Missouri-specific shop or charter intel appeared in our feeds this week, so this update draws on gauge data and seasonal context. MidCurrent's current fly-tying lineup covers sparse midge emergers and caddis pupa patterns — styles that translate directly to the clear, pressured runs of Ozark trout park water. With a Last Quarter moon overhead, midday light conditions tend to dampen surface activity; early mornings and the pre-dusk caddis window are typically your highest-odds sessions this time of year.
Taneycomo rainbows in good form as drought keeps generation predictable
Lilleys Landing's May 1 report sets the tone for Taneycomo this season: a persistent drought — "not a whole lot of rain the last 10 months," per the shop — means no flood-control releases, no shad runs, and generation running on power-demand schedules rather than reservoir management. For trout anglers, that translates to more predictable wading windows and fish holding in familiar lies. Lilleys Landing noted a healthy rainbow population entering spring, crediting lighter winter fishing pressure and extra fall stockings heading into the warmer months. USGS gauge 07054410 returned no current flow or temperature reading for this reporting period. Table Rock Lake, which feeds the tailwater, typically holds bass and crappie in post-spawn transition through mid-May, though no Table Rock-specific angler intel reached our feeds this cycle. Check the Army Corps generation schedule directly before planning a wade-fishing trip — generation events can raise water levels quickly in the upper tailwater sections.
White River at Minimum Flow — Clear Pools Favor Technical Trout
USGS gauge 07060710 logged 5.5 cfs and 64°F on the White River this morning, signaling near-zero generation from Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams and some of the most wadeable, gin-clear conditions of the season. That glassy, low-flow water is a double-edged sword: every seam and gravel bar is accessible on foot, but spooky trout will demand light tippet and precise presentations. At 64°F, rainbow and brown trout sit at the upper edge of their comfort range and are likely staging in the deeper, cooler slots below dam faces and around spring seeps. No regional shop or charter intel appeared in today's feeds, but MidCurrent's current Tying Tuesday highlights midge-style and sparse emerger patterns "designed for clear, pressured tailrace water" as standout producers — a natural fit for White River conditions. Classic May hatches — caddis, Blue-Winged Olives, and midges — typically fire in the afternoons on this stretch.
Post-spawn bass in transition at Lake Cumberland; tailwater trout in stride
USGS gauge 03413200 on the Cumberland drainage logged 6.86 cfs Sunday morning — a very low reading pointing to minimal Wolf Creek Dam generation and prime wadable tailwater conditions below the dam. No direct local guide or shop reports surfaced in this cycle, but regional signals fill in the picture: Tactical Bassin's early-May post-spawn breakdown notes that bass are simultaneously in multiple phases right now — some still near beds, others already moving to secondary structure — making adaptability the name of the game. That calendar applies squarely to Lake Cumberland's largemouth and smallmouth fishery. Tim (Tactical Bassin) dialed in a Karashi-style finesse bite, topwater, and swimbait pattern in consecutive sessions this week, a multi-tool approach worth mirroring here. Rainbow trout in the Cumberland River tailwater hold steady year-round; low-generation flows like today's reading typically mean cleaner water and more precise drifts. The Last Quarter moon eases overnight light pressure, favoring dawn and dusk feeding windows.
Post-spawn bass fire up on Kentucky Lake as bluegill spawn peaks
USGS gauge 03611500 returned no reading this period, so conditions lean on regional angler intel. Tactical Bassin's on-water coverage this week captures exactly the pattern Kentucky Lake anglers should be chasing right now: giant largemouth ambushing bluegill on topwater — frogs and poppers over heavy shallow cover — as the bluegill spawn peaks across flats and laydown timber. The bite is real and fish are aggressive. Reinforcing the split-field picture, MLF News coverage of the nearby Douglas Lake Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit (Tennessee River system, Stop 4) shows a pronounced divide between anglers grinding shallow structure and those who have already transitioned offshore to channel schools on deeper summertime tactics. Both windows are open simultaneously. Crappie fishing typically enters its late-spring prime in Kentucky Lake's submerged timber and brush piles during May, though no region-specific reports landed in this week's intel feed. Catfish remain dependable on channel ledges with cut bait on Santee Rigs, per Wired 2 Fish's ledge-drift coverage this week.
Hiwassee and Caney Fork enter prime early-May hatch window
MidCurrent's recent fly-tying roundup highlights a sparse midge pattern built specifically for 'the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces' — a timely note for anglers heading to the Hiwassee or Caney Fork this week. USGS gauge 03565000 returned no data for this cycle, leaving flow and temperature unconfirmed; verify TVA generation schedules before heading out. No on-the-water dispatches from these specific tailwaters surfaced in today's feed, but Hatch Magazine's current caddis-emergence primer is well-timed — early May traditionally marks the opening of the hatch-driven window that defines both rivers for southeastern fly anglers. Typical seasonal patterns for this date put trout staging in the mid-column during generation flows and sliding into feeding lies along softer edges on off-generation lows. The Last Quarter moon today moderates the most aggressive bite windows, but reliable mid-morning and late-afternoon activity periods should keep willing fish accessible through the week.
Post-spawn bass fire up topwater on Chickamauga and Watts Bar
A Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on Douglas Lake in Jefferson County, Tenn. — part of the broader TVA reservoir system — revealed this week the split now driving bass across the region: fish holding in offshore ledge schools responding to summertime presentations, and others stacked in the shallow upper river arms, per MLF News. That same dual pattern is likely in play on Chickamauga and Watts Bar. Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing, lighting up one of the best topwater windows of the year — frogs and buzzbaits over heavy cover are producing big largemouth. USGS gauge 03578500 logged a tributary inflow of just 57.5 cfs Sunday morning, pointing to stable reservoir conditions. No temperature reading is available from the gauge, but mid-May TVA surface temps typically reach the low-to-mid 70s°F — ideal post-spawn territory. The Last Quarter moon this weekend concentrates feeding during low-light transitions.
Post-spawn bass lock onto bluegill beds on Guntersville and Wheeler
USGS gauge 03575100 logged a flow of 513 cfs at 8:30 a.m. this morning — the only hard instrument reading available for the Tennessee River system feeding these two reservoirs, with no water-temperature data attached. Surface temps in northern Alabama in early May typically run the upper 60s to low 70s°F, squarely in the zone that accelerates the post-spawn transition. Tactical Bassin's early-May coverage notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing regionally, with big largemouth patrolling shallow, heavy cover — topwater frogs and poppers drawing aggressive strikes around emergent vegetation. Post-spawn fish are also responding to finesse rigs and swimbaits near submerged timber. For crappie and catfish, both Guntersville and Wheeler staples, no direct regional reports appear in the current data feeds, though seasonal patterns typically hold crappie at transitional depth ranges and catfish active on channel structure at this time of year. The Last Quarter moon favors dawn and dusk feeding windows through the weekend.
Bass on the bluegill spawn, crappie shallow at Lanier and Allatoona
The USGS gauge below Buford Dam (02334430) is logging 652 cfs at a cold 49°F — that reading reflects dam-release tailwater, running well beneath Lanier's warming surface. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing has tracked crappie pushing into 3–8 feet of water around brush piles, fallen timber, and docks as the spring spawn works through both piedmont impoundments; early mornings and late afternoons remain the prime windows for that bite. Largemouth bass are equally active: Georgia Wildlife Blog documented an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth taken on a spinnerbait in Morgan County under post-rain conditions in late April, reflecting the aggressive feeding response warm-season rain events routinely trigger across Georgia's reservoir bass population. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports the bluegill spawn is now fully underway, concentrating big largemouth in heavy shallow cover. Anglers should expect multiple productive patterns to coexist — late spawners, recovering post-spawners, and early-summer fish are all present — with frogs, topwaters, and swimbaits drawing strikes near structure.
Smokies Trout Hit Prime Feeding Window as May Hatches Come Online
USGS gauge 03512000 on the Little Tennessee River near Franklin, NC clocked 56°F and 245 cfs on the morning of May 10 — textbook prime feeding conditions for mountain trout. At 56°F, rainbow, brown, and brook trout in Smokies streams are squarely in their most active temperature window, feeding aggressively across the water column from dawn through the evening hatch. No region-specific shop or guide reports came through in this cycle's intel feeds, but Hatch Magazine's overview of caddis emergence cycles makes clear that May is when freestone caddis activity typically peaks on Appalachian streams, and MidCurrent's recent spring hatch tying roundup — focused on surface-film emergers and soft-hackle wets — maps directly onto what Smokies anglers should be reaching for right now. Flows at 245 cfs support safe wading on most accessible stretches. With a Last Quarter moon and lengthening spring days, expect the most productive windows in the first two hours after sunrise and again from late afternoon through dusk.
Bull Reds Stack the Shoals as Slot Fish Run the Full Neuse
Bull red drum are working the Cape Lookout shoals in force this week, with Steve of Chasin' Tails reporting to Fisherman's Post (NC) that beach anglers are seeing consistent action on schools of fish. Simultaneously, slot-sized reds have spread across nearly the full length of the Neuse River into Pamlico Sound — Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication tells Fisherman's Post the bite "has covered just about the whole Neuse." On the Outer Banks, Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports a strong surf push of red drum onto the beaches at Hatteras and Ocracoke. Bluefish in good numbers round out the Cape Lookout picture. Near Swansboro and Emerald Isle, surf action has also picked up for sea mullet, black drum, and early pompano, per Morgan of The Reel Outdoors. NOAA buoy 41037 logged light winds of 4 m/s and comfortable air temperatures near 73°F on May 10 — favorable conditions for fishing the sound and shoals.