Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Black drum and post-spawn stripers reach Virginia's barrier island coast
With NOAA buoy 44014 logging 57°F water offshore, the Eastern Shore is firmly in its spring transition window. Sport Fishing Mag reports that giant black drum are pressing northward from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and along the barrier islands through May — exactly the seasonal corridor that puts them within reach of Chincoteague inlets and shallow coastal structure. On The Water's May 8 striper migration map confirms post-spawn bass are flooding out of the Chesapeake and fanning up the coast, a movement that typically delivers solid linesider action around inlet mouths and nearshore rips. Summer flounder season has opened in neighboring mid-Atlantic states — per The Fisherman, it kicked off May 4 in the NJ/DE region — and while 57°F is still slightly cool for a peak flatfish bite, the season is within striking range. Seas of 4.3 feet offshore call for a settled weather window before making any extended run. Last Quarter moon keeps tidal swings moderate heading into the week.
Bass topwater heats up as bluegill spawn peaks at SML and Buggs Island
With the bluegill spawn in full swing across the mid-Atlantic, largemouth bass at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island are pushing into shallow cover and keying on topwater presentations. Tactical Bassin reports bass targeting the bluegill spawn aggressively this week, with frogs and poppers drawing explosive strikes around hard-bottom flats and dock edges. On The Water's May 8 striper migration update notes post-spawn stripers actively moving along the coast — a seasonal parallel suggesting landlocked stripers at both impoundments may also be transitioning off spawning structure. Nearby, Wired 2 Fish documents Lake Gaston guide Zakk Royce of Blues Brothers Guide Service releasing nearly 300 pounds of blue catfish in a two-hour drift along channel ledges in 10–20 feet of water using cut bait on Santee Rigs — a method that translates directly to Buggs Island's renowned blue cat fishery. Crappie, typically active at mid-depth structure this time of year, round out the freshwater menu. USGS gauge 02075045 registers 599 cfs, indicating stable, fishable inflows.
Stripers and Drum Stacking Up Along NJ's Delaware Bay Shore
Water temperature holding at 54°F per NOAA buoy 44009 is sustaining what multiple Southern NJ tackle shops are calling one of the stronger spring striper runs in recent memory. Hands Too Bait and Tackle reports stripers to 40 inches from Cape May's oceanfront beaches and along the Delaware Bay shoreline, with bloodworms and clam baits producing best on early morning tides. Higbee's Bait and Tackle notes fish to 48 inches flooding in from Fortescue Beach, again with bloodworms the clear top producer. Big Dave's Tackle confirms the bite stretches from Cape May to Salem County — fish to 46 inches are hitting bloodworms, fresh clam, and artificials including glide baits and soft plastics, with evening and early morning moving tides most productive. Black drum are becoming a genuine story too: Hands Too reports drum to 20 pounds on fresh shucked surf clams along the Bay, and Big Dave's notes drumfish growing more prominent daily. Pier 47 Marina adds that bluefish to 36 inches have mixed in with stripers in the back bay creeks from The Crest to North Wildwood.
Quabbin & Wachusett salmon and trout primed for late-spring push
Spring trout stocking is continuing across Massachusetts, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, with area waters being refreshed heading into mid-May. The Swift River outlet below Quabbin is running at a steady 70 cfs (USGS gauge 01174500), suggesting stable reservoir levels following spring snowmelt. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this week, but deep-basin reservoirs like Quabbin and Wachusett typically hold temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s°F in early May — squarely in the comfort zone for landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout, which remain active near the surface before summer stratification sets in. Smallmouth bass are entering the pre-spawn to spawn window; Tactical Bassin notes the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Northeast, a reliable signal that bass are beginning to stage on shallow structure. Specific on-the-water reports from either reservoir were not captured in this week's regional feed — anglers should confirm conditions locally before making the trip.
Canal stripers arrive as Buzzards Bay tautog bite nears its spring peak
Fresh striped bass arrived at the Cape Cod Canal herring run for the first time this season on Friday, with over-slot fish caught and released on day one, per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands. Red Top Sporting Goods confirmed bass breaking just off the run late in the day, and The Fisherman (Northeast) reported fish to the low 40-pound class at the Canal this week. On The Water's May 8 striper migration map shows post-spawn bass pouring out of the Chesapeake and spreading across the Northeast — the broader push is arriving. Water reads 51°F at NOAA buoy 44085 in Buzzards Bay and 54°F at buoy 44020 near Vineyard Sound, cool enough to concentrate fish on bait and current but warm enough for active feeding. Tautog are heading for their spring peak across all of Buzzards Bay, with green crabs in high demand at local shops. Black sea bass season is approaching for structure anglers.
Deschutes & Klamath trout prime up as May caddis season gets underway
Hatch Magazine's current coverage of caddis emergences hits at the right moment for Deschutes and Upper Klamath anglers: mid-May is historically the peak of Brachycentrus and Hydropsyche activity on central Oregon's high-desert rivers, pulling rainbow trout into deliberate surface feeding during late-morning and late-afternoon windows. No live data is available from USGS gauge 14070500 this cycle, so exact flow and temperature figures are unconfirmed — verify conditions with ODFW before launching. MidCurrent's tying coverage this week highlights midge and sparse caddis patterns as productive in "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a description that applies directly to the calmer Klamath impoundment sections. The Last Quarter moon reduces nighttime light and typically concentrates daytime feeding activity into those midday hatch windows. No corroborated guide, shop, or agency reports specific to the Deschutes or Upper Klamath appear in this cycle's intel; treat seasonal baseline as your primary guide until local updates arrive.
Columbia spring Chinook on the move as high May flows arrive
The Columbia River clocked 192,000 cfs and 57°F at dawn on May 10, per USGS gauge 14105700 — a textbook spring runoff signature as Cascade snowpack releases into the mainstem. At that temperature and volume, spring Chinook are actively migrating, though no charter or shop reports for this stretch were available in this data cycle to confirm where fish are stacking. Elevated flows typically push Chinook tight to slower-water seams and cut-bank eddies, where back-trolled plugs and roe presentations in the 10- to 30-foot range tend to find fish. Sturgeon remain available in deeper channel holes, though retention windows on the Columbia shift frequently — check current state regulations before keeping any fish. The Last Quarter moon provides low-light windows at dawn and dusk favoring both salmon and sturgeon bites. Direct angler intel for this system was not available this cycle; gauge data is the primary signal.
Yakima trout and eastern WA bass primed for the mid-May push
USGS gauge 12484500 clocked the Yakima River at 2,330 cfs on the morning of May 10, reflecting active spring snowmelt runoff through eastern Washington's blue-ribbon trout corridor. At this flow, wading the main stem is challenging in many stretches, but anglers working from a drift boat or anchoring a nymphing rig along current seams and behind mid-channel structure can still find rainbows and holdover browns. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes ongoing stocking activity at lakes and streams across the region, keeping planted rainbow trout accessible even as runoff peaks. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports that inland bass populations are in the post-spawn transition through early May — fish split between shallow cover and open structure, with topwater at dawn and swimbaits through mid-morning both producing. The Last Quarter moon on May 10 sets up low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk; plan sessions accordingly and check current regs before targeting any seasonal species.
Spring Chinook Season in Full Swing on Olympic Peninsula Rivers
USGS gauges on two Olympic Peninsula river systems read 1,060 cfs and 734 cfs at first light on May 10, both holding at moderate late-spring levels consistent with fishable Chinook water. Water temperatures were not recorded at either gauge this morning. No bite-specific intel from tackle shops, charter captains, or state agency creel surveys surfaced for these drainages in this reporting cycle — anglers should check WA WDFW Fishing Reports directly for the latest creel interview data before heading out. At current flows, both rivers should offer driftable water and accessible gravel-bar wading, though some off-color from coastal rain or snowmelt runoff is typical for early May and may favor brighter lure presentations. Spring Chinook is the primary target across the Peninsula this month. Confirm quota closures and any emergency openings before launching — season structures here can close on 24-hour notice when weekly retention quotas are met.
Redfish and Jacks Lighting Up Sarasota Bay in Prime Late-Spring Window
Water temps reading 77–78°F at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 signal the heart of Florida's late-spring inshore season. Capt. Chuck Cress, reporting through CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota), put clients on multiple upper-slot redfish in the 20–25-inch range alongside sea trout on recent trips. At the same shop, Capt. Brandon Naeve calls Jack Crevalle the can't-miss bite right now in Sarasota Bay — schools are surfacing near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets throughout April and May, with fast-retrieved topwater poppers or jigs at first light the proven play, especially where birds are diving. Naeve also notes fly fishing is "starting to cook." Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms the trout bite is firing across the state. Light winds around 2 m/s and modest 1.6-foot seas keep conditions comfortable for bay and nearshore runs alike. Anglers targeting the inshore grand slam — trout, redfish, and snook — have all three species within reach this week.
May Mutton Snapper Spawn Peaks in the Keys; Yellowtail and Offshore Bite Hot
The mutton snapper spawn is delivering exceptional fishing across the Florida Keys. ALL IN Key West reports that with May's full moon window now upon us, 'mutton snappers are chewing like crazy' — a predictable annual aggregation that turns bottom fishing into a near-guaranteed bite. Yellowtail snapper are equally fired up, described by the same Key West charter as 'practically jumping in the boat.' On the Gulf side, recent ALL IN Key West trips produced groupers, cobia, barracuda, kingfish, and mahi-mahi, with the Gulf of America described as 'full of life.' NOAA buoy 41114 put water temps near 78°F in late April, consistent with prime Keys conditions. Winds are light-to-moderate at roughly 11 mph at Keys buoys SMKF1 and SANF1, with air temps hovering in the low 80s Fahrenheit. Tarpon, historically peaking on the flats through May and June, round out an already busy spring bite.
Speckled Trout and Reds Active in Laguna Madre as Gulf Winds Ease
NOAA buoy 42043 logged 76°F water temperatures on May 10, and winds have eased from the 12 m/s gusts recorded at buoy 42020 on May 2 to a more manageable 8 m/s—a welcome trend for skiff and wade anglers working the Lower Laguna Madre flats. Texas Fish & Game Magazine spotlighted sonar-based tactics for patterning speckled trout along South Texas ship channels, a useful approach as warming water pushes fish to hold near deeper structural edges. Salt Strong (YT) featured overslot reds coming tight on topwater popping cork rigs, a strong indicator that redfish are in an aggressive surface-feeding mode. TexasFishingTips (YT) posted a Baffin Bay & Laguna Madre area report with Capt. Kevin Navid on May 7, signaling continued inshore action across the South Texas stretch. Lone Star Outdoor News flags the CCA STAR Tournament kicking off this month, which will surface fresh catch intel from across the coast. Tarpon and flounder are following typical early-May seasonal patterns, with no direct reports in this week's data pull.
East Texas bass entering post-spawn transition at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reports East Texas largemouth in full spawning mode through April, with big fish rushing the shallows — a pattern that typically trails into Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend as May opens. With the Last Quarter moon on May 10 and the bluegill spawn now underway, Tactical Bassin notes bass are deep into a post-spawn transition: some fish remain shallow on heavy cover, others are beginning their move to open water. Topwater frogs and poppers are producing in dense timber, while finesse tactics — Tactical Bassin specifically calls out a Karashi bite and swimbaits skipped around trees — are dialing in on transitional fish. USGS gauge 08030500 on the Sabine River shows 3,180 cfs, a moderate flow consistent with normal Toledo Bend dam operations. Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights electronics as an increasingly critical tool for targeting giant catfish on Texas freshwater impoundments, a technique well-suited to both reservoirs' deep timber structure.
Hill Country bass push post-spawn as bluegill beds fire across the chain
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across Texas bass lakes in early May, with big largemouth actively targeting shallow heavy cover — frogs and topwater drawing hard strikes from post-spawn fish patrolling the banks. On the Hill Country chain (Travis, LBJ, Buchanan), bass are in a classic staggered transition: late spawners hold on beds in warmer coves while the majority shift toward early-summer staging zones off main-lake points and submerged structure. USGS gauge 08158000 recorded the Colorado River inflow into the Lake Travis arm running at 274 cfs on the morning of May 10 — moderate and stable, suggesting no flood disruption to upper-reservoir conditions. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this morning. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes Texas is tracking a record-setting season broadly, consistent with a strong spring forage base across Hill Country impoundments. Direct on-water reports specific to Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan were sparse in this data pull; conditions below are drawn from regional Texas intel and seasonal patterns.
Salmon Bite Strengthens Below Pigeon Point as NorCal Waters Cool
Water at 53°F on NOAA buoy 46026 is working in salmon's favor this week along the NorCal coast. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady—out of Half Moon Bay and reported in Western Outdoor News — Saltwater—says conditions below Pigeon Point have 'vastly improved' since the April 11 salmon season opener, when surface temps were near 58°F. The four-degree cool-down pushed bonita offshore ('the bonita took a hike,' Davis noted) but concentrated baitfish along classic salmon-holding thermal structure. NOAA buoy 46013 is logging sustained northwest winds near 12 m/s, so expect chop on exposed coastal runs; plan departures in the early-morning lull before the afternoon sea breeze builds. No charter or shop reports on Bay stripers or halibut surfaced this week, though both species are seasonally in play as May progresses and SF Bay waters warm from winter lows.
Tuna Push Early as Warm Water Pulls Bluefin Into SoCal's 1-Day Range
Water temps of 61–63°F at NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221 are running ahead of the typical early-May baseline, and the offshore action is already reflecting it. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that unseasonably warm conditions have moved bluefin, yellowfin, and even an albacore into waters reachable on 1-day trips southwest of San Diego — the first San Diego fleet albacore in years gaffed aboard the Tribute on April 30. Two- and three-day trips are finding fish spread farther south, with yellowtail and early dorado also making appearances. Closer to the beach, Surf Fishing in So Cal's April season preview flags corbina as a prime surf-zone target as the season deepens, and their dedicated leopard shark guide signals that shore anglers are actively working sandy-bottom areas. Light 1 m/s winds at buoy 46025 and a moderate 3-foot swell at buoy 46221 are producing manageable offshore conditions heading into mid-May.
Eastern Sierra trout dial in for prime late-spring window
Reno Fly Shop (NV)'s end-of-April on-water report finds area stillwaters "full and fishing well" and Truckee River flows "stabilized" — the most geographically adjacent intel available for the Eastern Sierra corridor this cycle, where USGS gauge 10265200 returned no readings. For the east slope, mid-May is traditionally the transition zone between the technical low-water window of early spring and the rising flows that snowmelt triggers in earnest. Rainbow trout are the primary target across stream and stillwater venues; balanced leech patterns and midge offerings are the top stillwater producers per Reno Fly Shop (NV), who specifically called out Tungsten Balanced Leech and Micro Holo Midge. Brown trout grow increasingly active as temperatures push through the low 50s°F. With no gauge data confirmed this week, contacting local outfitters for drainage-specific updates is essential, and early morning stream windows — before daily melt pulses reach lower elevations — typically offer the clearest water and most cooperative fish.
Shore Walleye Bite Heats Up Across Iron Range and Boundary Waters
The USGS gauge on the Little Fork River (site 05129115) is reading 1,240 cfs this morning — classic late-spring runoff volume that adds color to connected lake systems. Through that turbid edge water, walleye are feeding aggressively. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) calls this one of the most productive shore walleye windows of the season, pointing anglers toward rocky points and current seams for right-now action. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch backs that up, noting a strong return to jig and live-bait setups on spinning gear — rigs that excel when fish hug current breaks and wind-pushed shorelines. AnglingBuzz (YT) highlights Minnesota DNR transparency on walleye stocking and hatchery practices, reinforcing why Iron Range lakes continue to deliver consistent numbers post-ice-out. Northern pike are aggressive in warming shallows, and AnglingBuzz (YT) also spotlights ongoing Leech Lake muskie research tracking active fish movement in early May — a positive signal for trophy pursuits across the broader region.
North Shore tributaries in spring flow as steelhead window narrows into mid-May
USGS gauge 04015330 logged 64.1 cfs on the morning of May 10 — a moderate, wadeable spring flow for a North Shore tributary and a workable level for steelhead anglers pressing the tail end of the spring run. No water temperature was available from this gauge; Lake Superior nearshore waters typically hold in the upper 30s to low 40s°F at this stage of the season, keeping fish active but favoring slower, bottom-oriented presentations. On the Wisconsin side of Lake Superior, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program notes growing angler participation in the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery — an early open-water indicator that suggests broader Lake Superior nearshore activity is picking up across the basin. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is also calling the shore walleye bite active right now across the Upper Midwest, a signal that lines up with typical North Shore harbor and river-mouth fishing in early May. Direct charter or tackle-shop intel specific to the Minnesota North Shore was not available this reporting cycle.
Cold Start: Northwoods Walleye and Musky Scattered After Historic Joint Opener
Water temps hovering in the 48–50°F range across Minocqua-area Northwoods lakes in early May 2026, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop — and most species are fishing scattered as a result. The season opened on a historic note: 2026 marks the first time since the early 1980s that the walleye and musky openers fell on the same day (May 2), per Rollie & Helen's. Cold weather and below-normal air temperatures have kept fish from staging predictably, and the shop's early-May report flags conditions as "up and down." The primary move is finding the warmest available pockets — mud flats and emerging weed edges where temps edge above the basin average. Musky fishing in particular is a "temperature game" right now, with Rollie & Helen's noting anglers are earning early follows rather than solid commitments. With a Last Quarter moon and post-front conditions in play, patient presentations and slow retrieves are the approach of choice across Vilas and Oneida County.
Salmon and steelhead in prime spring window off Sheboygan and Door County
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirmed a landmark 2024 season—over 210,000 coho salmon (a new record) and more than 160,000 Chinook (highest since 2012), with steelhead adding to the haul. DNR biologists credited strong alewife year-classes for boosting stocked-fish survival, a foundation that carries favorable momentum into the 2026 spring window. May is historically the peak trolling period for Chinook, coho, and brown trout along the western Lake Michigan shoreline from Sheboygan north through Door County ports. Door County anglers should note: the Rowley's Bay boat launch near Newport State Park is closed from ice-off through approximately May 31, 2026 while concrete improvements are completed, per WI DNR. No real-time buoy or water-temperature data was available for this update. The Last Quarter moon (today, May 10) favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Confirm whitefish limits before keeping fish—DNR is actively reviewing total allowable catch for Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
UP trout streams run high as Lake Superior whitefish bite takes shape
USGS gauge 04059500 on the Fox River at Seney logged 468 cfs this morning — well above typical mid-May levels — reflecting the runoff surge still moving through the Upper Peninsula. Great Lakes Now reports that last week's record rainfall, stacked on melt from March's above-average snowpack, pushed northern Michigan waterways into historically high ranges and is prompting fresh scrutiny of aging dam infrastructure across the region. For UP stream anglers, elevated and likely off-color flows make the standard wade-and-drift approach difficult right now; focus on slower pocket water behind boulders and eddy seams where trout hold out of the main current. On the Lake Superior side, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been spotlighting a growing lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay region, with increasing boat and open-water angler participation noted by agency biologists. No water temperature data was available from instruments this cycle. Last Quarter moon this weekend should favor midday feeding windows on clearer lake targets.
Lake Michigan Coho Season Peaks at Grand River Mouth
The Grand River is pushing 4,720 cfs as of this morning per USGS gauge 04119000, funneling active spring flows into Lake Michigan at the Grand Haven pier heads. No water temperature reading was available this cycle. The backdrop for the season looks strong: the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record coho harvest of more than 210,000 fish lake-wide in 2024, along with over 160,000 Chinook — the best Chinook showing since 2012, driven by rebounding alewife populations. That class of fish returns to Michigan waters as mature adults this spring, setting up what should be another productive May at the pier heads. Coho are the primary target right now, typically staging along river-mouth plumes and pier lines in 15–30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are moving through their post-spawn transition — Tactical Bassin notes this marks one of the most consistent shallow-water feeding windows of the year. Direct on-the-water reports from the Grand River mouth area were limited this cycle; verify local conditions before launching.
Bass on Topwater as Bluegill Spawn Peaks at Mosquito and Pymatuning
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn now in full swing, with largemouth bass actively feeding over spawning beds — a pattern well-established on northeast Ohio's big reservoirs in early May. Shallow-water topwater presentations and frog baits over heavy cover are producing fish, according to Tactical Bassin's recent field reports. Bass are simultaneously in post-spawn transition mode, meaning multiple patterns coexist: some fish still guarding beds while others have pushed to post-spawn haunts near adjacent structure. USGS gauge 03110000 recorded 126 cfs as of Sunday morning; no water temperature reading was available, but northeast Ohio reservoirs in early May typically see surface temps climbing through the upper 50s into the low 60s°F. Walleye, wrapping up their traditional spring spawn window, should be dispersing toward main-lake humps and channel edges — Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain the proven walleye presentation at this stage of the season. Crappie are typically at or near their shallow-water spawning peak in this window as well.