Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Stripers Closing In on Gulf of Maine as 2026 Migration Hits Full Speed
Water at 45°F on NOAA buoy 44007 puts the Gulf of Maine among the colder corners of the Northeast right now, but the striper front is advancing fast. A clerk at Surfland reported a 35-inch bass taken from the Merrimack River mouth on a paddletail shad this past Sunday — likely a holdover pushing toward open water — while Seamus at Belsan's Bait and Tackle told The Fisherman South Shore MA to ME the 'dam finally broke' on schoolies and slot-size bass along the South Shore this week. Dave Anderson (The Fisherman South Shore MA to ME) confirms fresh migratory stripers have now reached the South Shore and are 'migrating further north with each passing day.' The Fisherman (Northeast)'s May 7 forecast puts Cape Cod Canal fish already reaching the low 40-pound class, and On The Water's May 8 striper migration map calls the 2026 push 'full speed' northward. The leading edge of that wave is now at Maine's doorstep.
Kennebec & Penobscot spring flush — salmon, trout, and stripers converging
The 2026 striper migration is hitting full speed across the Northeast, per On The Water's May 8 report, with post-spawn bass spreading well into New England. On the Kennebec and Penobscot, USGS gauge 01046500 recorded 7,420 cfs on the morning of May 10 — a strong spring flow consistent with active snowmelt and peak runoff. Landlocked salmon and brook trout are in their prime mid-spring feeding window; elevated current pushes baitfish into predictable seams, eddies, and pocket water below dams and at tributary mouths. The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME confirms fresh stripers pushing north past Massachusetts daily and heading further up the coast — the lower Kennebec tidal reach is a logical next stop within days. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes shad runs are building across southern New England rivers, a pattern that typically reaches Maine drainages with a one-to-two-week lag. No water temperature was available from the gauge this update.
Louisiana Delta Reds and Trout Enter Prime Late-Spring Window
NOAA buoy 42001 logged 79°F water temps in the central Gulf this morning — right in the sweet spot for Louisiana's late-spring inshore season. Salt Strong's recent footage of an overslot red drum landed on a topwater popping-cork rig confirms that reds are willing to commit on the surface when conditions align, and the spring-topwater push Salt Strong has been highlighting across multiple posts points to an active bite window for both redfish and speckled trout in the coastal marshes. A 3.6-foot offshore swell at buoy 42001 will steer smaller boats away from open-Gulf runs and into protected passes and marsh drains, where conditions are more manageable. Light Gulf winds of roughly 4–9 mph favor calm early-morning work near grassy shorelines. With a Last Quarter moon overhead, the pre-dawn and early-morning window is your best bet for aggressive surface strikes. No LA-specific charter or shop reports are in hand this cycle — check local tackle shops before launching.
Bass game on at Chicot Lake as post-spawn transition hits Louisiana backwaters
Brad Romero told Louisiana Sportsman it's "game on" for bass at Chicot Lake near Ville Platte as May arrives — and USGS gauge 07374000 backs up the timing with a 68°F water temperature reading on May 10. Flow is running high at 599,000 cfs, pushing fish out of the mainstem Mississippi and Atchafalaya and into the calmer backwater lakes and bayous where conditions are far more fishable. The post-spawn bass transition is well underway: Tactical Bassin notes that fish are splitting between shallow cover and open water, with topwater frogs, swimbaits, and finesse presentations all drawing strikes depending on depth. The bluegill spawn is also firing, per Tactical Bassin, creating ambush opportunities for largemouth stacking near shallow grass and wood. Crappie and catfish round out the backwater picture, holding near submerged structure in oxbows as the big river runs fast and stained.
Cumberland bass firing on topwater as bluegill spawn kicks into gear
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, with big largemouth actively targeting heavy cover on topwater frogs and poppers — a pattern that plays directly to the weedy backwaters and oxbow sloughs of the Ohio and Cumberland. USGS gauge 03301500 logged 337 cfs early this morning, indicating stable, low-to-moderate flow; no temperature reading is available from the gauge. Post-spawn bass are entering a multi-presentation window: Tactical Bassin's on-the-water coverage highlights simultaneous bites on finesse Karashi rigs, swimbaits skipped through flooded timber, and surface lures. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish documented Blues Brothers Guide Service landing nearly 300 pounds of blue catfish in two hours using cut bait drifted on Santee Rigs along channel ledges in 10–20 feet of water — a technique worth applying to the Cumberland's deeper bends this week. Crappie are likely completing their post-spawn shift toward slightly deeper holding structure.
Kansas River bass lock onto bluegill beds while catfish action builds
USGS gauge 06892350 recorded 65°F on the Kansas River this morning — a reading that puts bass and catfish squarely in their active feeding window. Per Tactical Bassin, the bluegill spawn is in full swing this week, and big largemouth are stacking in shallow heavy cover; frogs and topwater drew aggressive strikes in their recent on-water sessions. Post-spawn fish are splitting: some staying aggressive near the shallows, others transitioning toward deeper structure. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish featured guide Zakk Royce landing nearly 300 pounds of blue cats on cut bait drifted along channel ledges on Santee rigs — a method that translates directly to the deep bends of the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers at current flows. Regionally, Wired 2 Fish also noted Cole Floyd topping a Major League Fishing field at Beaver Lake with 56 pounds of bass this weekend, signaling a healthy regional bass fishery heading into early summer.
Iowa River bass and walleye on the move as spring flows climb
USGS gauge 05465500 shows the Iowa River running at 11,500 cfs as of early Sunday morning — elevated flows that push fish toward slack-water pockets, current seams, and outside bends where structure breaks the main current. Jason Mitchell Outdoors reports the shore walleye bite is on across the Midwest right now, with jigs and live-bait rigs the reliable go-to when fish are holding in current; Fishing the Midwest echoes that read, noting spinning gear paired with slip-sinker live-bait presentations is producing walleye consistently at this stage of spring. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing — a dependable late-spring trigger that concentrates larger largemouths over shallow heavy cover. Post-spawn bass are actively transitioning, with frog and topwater presentations drawing strikes in the early-morning hours. AnglingBuzz confirms swimbaits are versatile multi-species producers for walleye, bass, and crappie alike. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this morning — bring a streamside thermometer before committing to a presentation.
Bass Keying on the Bluegill Spawn as Indiana Waters Enter Post-Spawn Mode
The Wabash River recorded 10,800 cfs at USGS gauge 03335500 as of early May 10 — a moderately elevated spring level that pushes bass toward slack-water eddies and backwater areas along the river corridor. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is "in full swing," a prime seasonal trigger for both largemouth and smallmouth to stage aggressively near shallow cover; topwater frogs and swimbaits worked around emergent vegetation and laydowns are the recommended approach. Fishing the Midwest highlights renewed interest in spinning-gear presentations and jig-and-live-bait rigs for walleye — a reliable mid-spring combo as river flows run high. On the Lake Michigan shoreline, IL/IN Sea Grant confirms its buoy network has entered spring deployment, though nearshore conditions data for Indiana's shore is sparse at this writing. No water temperature reading is available from our gauge at this time; check local conditions before dialing in your depth and technique. Last Quarter moon today typically favors dawn and dusk feeding windows.
Illinois River running high as bass move post-spawn to backwaters
USGS gauge 05586100 logged the Illinois River at 43,800 cfs early this morning — substantially elevated spring flows pushing fish out of the main channel and into flooded timber, sloughs, and connected backwater bays. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, so anglers should probe warm, sheltered shallows for the most active fish. The timing coincides with what Tactical Bassin is calling a peak Midwest window: the bluegill spawn is in full swing, drawing largemouth into shallow cover, with frogs, topwater poppers, and swimbaits around heavy timber flagged as productive post-spawn presentations. Fishing the Midwest identifies jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs as the go-to walleye approach along deeper channel edges and current breaks. On Lake Michigan to the northeast, IL/IN Sea Grant has entered its annual spring buoy deployment season, marking the start of the nearshore monitoring window. Last Quarter moon this weekend sets up favorable low-light feeding pushes at dawn and dusk.
Spring Chinook push meets high snowmelt flows on Idaho's Snake & Salmon
USGS gauge 13340000 recorded 49°F water and 24,400 cfs on the Snake system early on May 10 — textbook high-snowmelt conditions for this stretch of early spring. These elevated flows mark the window when spring Chinook traditionally begin stacking in deeper holding water along the Snake and lower Salmon corridors, seeking softer current against the push of runoff. No direct charter or shop reports from these drainages surfaced in this cycle's feeds, so conditions here are grounded in gauge data and regional seasonal patterns. The Caddis Fly (OR) notes that salmonfly nymphs are completing their multi-year lifecycle across Pacific Northwest river systems right now — a hatch that runs concurrent on Idaho's Salmon River tributaries and can trigger aggressive feeding in both trout and steelhead. Smallmouth bass, at 49°F, remain in cool pre-spawn lethargy and are expected to stay slow until water climbs toward the mid-50s. Main-stem wading is difficult at current flows; boat access is strongly preferred this week.
Warm blue water off Hawaii sets the stage for ahi and marlin season
Water temperatures across Hawaiian buoy stations are running 74–79°F this morning — NOAA buoy 51002, southwest of the Big Island, and NOAA buoy 51004 both log 79°F, while NOAA buoy 51001 to the northwest reads a cooler 74°F, likely reflecting the deeper water along the Northwestern Hawaiian chain. Trade winds are steady at approximately 8 meters per second (roughly 15 knots) at all three stations, typical for May and fully fishable for offshore pelagic runs. No Hawaii-specific charter or tackle-shop intel arrived in this week's feeds, so conditions here reflect environmental data and established seasonal patterns for the Islands. That said, surface temps in the 79°F range are firmly in pelagic territory — ahi and mahi-mahi tend to concentrate along current edges and temperature breaks in water this warm. The five-degree spread between the northwest and southwest buoy readings points to a gradient worth prospecting for yellowfin. Blue marlin season typically builds toward its Kona peak through summer, and May is an active transition month.
Bull redfish and trout active along Georgia's inshore coast
A big bull redfish landed in the Saint Simons area on Wednesday leads this week's update: per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, angler Tonya Guthrie boated the fish, and that same May 9 report confirms the saltwater bite has been improving overall, with anglers also finding speckled trout. NOAA buoy 41008 recorded light winds of approximately 9 mph and an air temperature of 71°F on Sunday morning — comfortable conditions for inshore work along the Georgia coast. Looking further ahead, Georgia saltwater anglers have notable offshore news: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both report that federally approved pilot programs will greatly expand red snapper seasons across the South Atlantic, including Georgia, this summer compared to just two days of access in 2025. For now, the inshore picture leads — redfish and trout are active, Spanish mackerel are typically beginning to push nearshore as May water temperatures build, and conditions look favorable heading into the week.
Georgia river bass on fire as Savannah drops into post-spawn sweet spot
Joshua Barber's May 9 Southern Waters Fishing Report in GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News confirms the bass bite has been solid across Georgia's river systems, with the Savannah River at Clyo reading 3.3 feet and falling as of May 7—a stage that concentrates bass around receding-water structure. USGS gauge 02197000 recorded 4,520 cfs on the Savannah early Sunday morning, corroborating that dropping trend. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's late-April field notes offered a compelling preview of what these conditions can produce: 10-year-old Max Collins pulled an 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth from Morgan County on a spinner bait just after rain moved through—a pattern that often stays productive well into May as post-spawn fish push tight to shallow cover. Crappie were stacked in 3–8 feet of water around brush piles, docks, and fallen timber through mid-April per the Georgia Wildlife Blog, but are likely past peak spawn now and beginning to scatter toward deeper summer haunts.
Big bass keying on the bluegill spawn at Okeechobee and the St. Johns
Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing and big bass are prowling shallow cover with topwater the early-May play — a pattern that translates directly to Lake Okeechobee's pad fields and the St. Johns River's vegetated backwaters. Early May marks a prime multi-pattern window with lingering spawners mixed alongside post-spawn fish beginning their shift to deeper structure; frog, swimbait, and finesse setups like a Karashi-style soft plastic all produce, per Tactical Bassin. On the St. Johns, USGS gauge 02232000 recorded 95.3 cfs in the pre-dawn hours of May 10 — a moderate-to-low flow that tends to concentrate fish along channel edges, submerged grass lines, and dock pilings. No water temperature was returned by the gauge. The bluegill spawn's peak makes Okeechobee one of the most reliable topwater fisheries in Florida right now, with big largemouth pushed into the pads and grass lines during low-light windows. Florida Sea Grant's ongoing invasive-species roundup work in South Florida canals is a reminder to report non-native catches.
Treasure Coast Snook Pre-Spawn Peaks; Red Snapper Season Opens May 22
Snook Nook's May 2026 report from Stuart declares this "historically one of the best months for inshore fishing" on the Treasure Coast, with late-spring snook heating up across the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers as fish move into pre-spawn mode. Warmer water, calming conditions, and an influx of baitfish are combining to push the bite, with slot-sized and over-slot fish making more regular appearances. Offshore, Coastal Angler Magazine logged a 59 lb mahi bull off the Palm Beach cut, while charter reports via Tidal Fish — Florida describe Fort Lauderdale boats finding active sailfish and wahoo over natural reefs. Tarpon are in the mix as well — Coastal Angler Magazine noted a fish taken in the South Fork on live mullet, consistent with the spring migration push. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) also signals the sea trout bite is on statewide. Framing the next few weeks: CCA Florida and Coastal Angler Magazine confirm the South Atlantic red snapper season runs 39 days starting May 22, the longest window since 2010.
Permit, Kings, and Cobia Fire as Gulf Spring Hits Full Stride
Water temps of 77–78°F off the Florida Gulf Coast — logged at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 on the morning of May 10 — have pushed the spring bite into full stride. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports conditions 'as good as it gets for this time of year,' with captains consistently sight fishing large permit and scoring steady kingfish action on plugs and flies. Cobia and amberjack have also joined the offshore mix, creating what the charter describes as a 'very dynamic fishery.' Inshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms the trout bite is on across Florida right now. Seas are running a comfortable 2–2.3 feet with light winds, making for ideal conditions across both inshore and offshore targets. Salt Strong has flagged the Florida Gulf Coast among its May 8–10 weekend target zones, and their recent content highlights topwater presentations as a top spring pick. The Last Quarter moon on May 10 brings moderate tidal movement — a favorable window for the flats and offshore structure alike.
Delaware Bay Striper Run Peaks with Drum and Fluke Joining the Party
Water at 54°F per NOAA buoy 44009 is fueling one of the stronger spring striper runs the Delaware Bay has seen in years. Smith's Bait Shop reports striped bass above and below the 28–31-inch slot at Collins Beach, Greens Beach, and Woodland Beach — most falling to bloodworms and cut bunker (The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake). Across the bay on the New Jersey shore, Higbee's Bait and Tackle is logging fish to 48 inches from Fortescue Beach, with bloodworms the clear top producer. Big Dave's Tackle confirms outstanding action from Cape May to Salem County on bloodworm combos, fresh clam, glide baits, and soft plastics, with early morning and evening moving tides the consistent sweet spot. Black drum are arriving as a legitimate bonus target: Hands Too Bait and Tackle reports fish to 20 pounds hitting fresh shucked surf clams along the Delaware Bay shoreline. Summer flounder season has opened, with back bays reportedly loaded with flatfish ready to bite.
Delaware crappie bite peaks with evening jig action in local ponds
Crappie are the clear headliner in Delaware's freshwater scene this week. Smith's Bait Shop in Leipsic — reporting through The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater — identifies them as the number-one action fish at Horsey's Pond, Massey Mills, and Garrisons Lake, with small minnows and jig combinations fished under floats during early evenings drawing steady bites. White perch are also cooperating in tidal creeks and spillways on bloodworms and minnows, per the same source. Bass are showing on livelined minnows, and catfish are available in tidal stretches on bloodworms or dedicated catfish bait. USGS gauge 01493500 on the Nanticoke drainage logged a very low 3.78 cfs just before dawn this morning, meaning the system is running well below typical late-spring volume. Fish in low-flow conditions tend to concentrate in deeper, slower holes and channel edges rather than spreading across shallow flats. The Last Quarter moon phase opens low-light windows at dawn and dusk that traditionally favor crappie and perch in shallow cover.
Striper Push Hits Full Stride Across Long Island Sound
Water temperature sits at 49°F per NOAA buoy 44065, and the spring striper surge is firmly underway in Long Island Sound. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle, reported via The Fisherman — Connecticut, noted that over-slot bass (30–36 inches) broke through the Sound last week, slamming topwaters and swimmers in bays and lower tidal rivers around the full moon tides — non-stop action for those who timed it right. The Fisherman (Northeast) also confirms tanks were landed in Long Island Sound this reporting period. Bobby J's, per The Fisherman — Connecticut, reports schoolie and slot-size bass stacking consistently in river mouths and harbors, with larger fish keying on herring runs. Fisherman's World adds that migratory fish are pushing into the far western reaches on both troll and topwater. The Connecticut River shad run has kicked into gear as well, per Aaron Swanson in The Fisherman — Connecticut. Spring tautog season has closed, shifting focus fully onto stripers.
Connecticut River shad run fires up with stocked trout spread statewide
Water temps on the Connecticut River are holding at 55°F per USGS gauge 01184000, and inland fishing is hitting its stride. The Fisherman — Connecticut reports the Connecticut River shad run came to life over the past 10 days, with very good fishing now underway. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's Fishin' Factory 3 corroborates it, noting shad numbers climbing daily and action continuing to build — the shop's Steaves Leaves willow-leaf blades on ¾- to 1-ounce casting sinkers have been moving so fast they had to reorder 200 units. Spring trout stocking rolls on statewide, with The Fisherman — New England Freshwater documenting recent plants in the Farmington River West Branch, Norwalk River WTMA, Higganum Reservoir, Millers Pond, and more. Rich at Fisherman's World in Norwalk confirms stocked fish are biting well on worms, Roostertails, and PowerBait throughout Norwalk-area rivers. Fishin' Factory 3 also notes a growing shift toward largemouth bass in ponds and lakes, as carp begin appearing in the rivers — the mid-May transition is fully underway.
Colorado and Arkansas trout dialed in before peak spring runoff
Crystal Fly Shop (CO) called Colorado River conditions 'sensational' in late April, with caddis and Blue-Winged Olive hatches firing on the main stem between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. The USGS gauge on the Colorado River near Cameo now reads 60°F and 1,920 cfs — prime trout feeding temperature, but flows have climbed noticeably from the ~1,380 cfs Crystal Fly Shop reported weeks ago, signaling the approach of runoff season. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) observed that rivers are 'waking up much earlier than normal' after an unusually warm spring. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) confirms that historically poor snowpack is reshaping the 2026 season, pointing toward a shorter, less intense runoff window than typical years. On tailwater stretches, AvidMax Blog (CO) highlights tungsten midge emergers and jigged pheasant tail nymphs as consistent producers. With freestone flows building, the play is targeting softer current seams and protected pockets along river margins.
Salmon bite surges near Pigeon Point as upwelling takes hold
Water temperatures at 54°F (NOAA buoy 46042) are producing a marked improvement in Central Coast salmon fishing. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that Half Moon Bay boats are finding 'vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point,' with Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady citing the four-degree cooldown from the 58°F readings seen at the April 11 season opener as the turning point. Davis noted the colder, greener water has pushed bonita out of the picture — but that same upwelling is concentrating baitfish and drawing Chinook salmon closer to productive zones. Swells are running 6.6 feet at buoy 46026 and winds are 9–12 m/s across the monitoring network, making sea state the primary planning variable this week. Rockfish remain a reliable secondary target along nearshore reefs — a typical seasonal expectation for this stretch, even absent specific captain reports this week. The Last Quarter moon moderates tidal swings, favoring consistent bites on calmer weather windows.
Sacramento-Delta bass and stripers enter prime post-spawn window
USGS gauge 11447650 logged 67°F water and 10,700 cfs on the Sacramento River at the start of this weekend — right in the range that historically puts Delta striped bass in active feeding mode and marks the tail end of the largemouth spawn cycle. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta beat but delivered no detailed field dispatches in this update cycle, so conditions here are assembled from environmental readings and broader regional context. At 67°F, tidal current exchanges are warming up fast, and Tactical Bassin (blog) reports that nationally mid-May bass are split between lingering spawners and an early post-spawn push into transitional cover — a pattern that fits the Delta backwaters well. Last Quarter moon this weekend typically softens overnight feeding and concentrates activity into morning windows. Anglers working tidal current breaks, tule margins, and shallow structure at first light are best positioned. Verify local specifics before launching — 10,700 cfs river flow will affect drift and boat positioning in the main channels.
Beaver Lake bass erupt as bluegill spawn peaks across Arkansas
Cole Floyd's dominant Major League Fishing victory on Beaver Lake — 56 pounds across 24 scorable bass — confirms northwest Arkansas's reservoir largemouth bite is firing heading into mid-May, per Wired 2 Fish. Floyd stayed consistent from start to finish, locating fish efficiently across multiple days rather than leaning on a single productive spot. Regionally, Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is now in full swing, pulling big largemouth into heavy shallow cover where topwater frogs and poppers are producing explosive strikes. Post-spawn fish are simultaneously in transition: some pushing toward offshore structure, others holding around shallow wood and laydowns. No readings were returned from USGS gauge 07263620 this cycle, leaving White River flow and water temperature unconfirmed — check with a local outfitter before targeting tailwater trout below Bull Shoals or Norfork. Overall, early May is shaping up as one of the stronger largemouth windows of the year for Arkansas reservoir anglers.