Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lees Ferry trout season at peak as Salt River bass enter post-spawn
USGS gauge 09380000 on the Colorado River near Lees Ferry logged 56°F water at 6,810 cfs early Sunday morning — stable, cold tailwater conditions that rank among the best of the year for rainbow trout in the Glen Canyon reach. No direct on-the-water reports from local shops or captains reached our feeds this cycle, so the species picture here draws on gauge data and broader national fishing coverage. Per Tactical Bassin, early May marks the heart of the post-spawn transition for bass across most of the country: fish are splitting between shallow cover and open water as the bluegill spawn kicks into gear, and multiple presentations are in play simultaneously. That seasonal arc applies to the Salt River impoundments — expect largemouth in mixed phases, with topwater effective at first light and finesse or swimbait picking up as light intensifies. Confirm current local conditions with a tackle shop before launching.
Kenai King Season Nears as Snowmelt Pushes Interior Rivers
USGS gauge 15266300 recorded 40°F water and 2,530 cfs on May 10 — classic snowmelt-driven early-May conditions for south-central Alaska's freshwater system. No charter, shop, or regional angler-intel reports specific to the Kenai or interior rivers appeared in this week's feeds, so this report draws on gauge readings and established seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-water testimony. At 40°F, water temperatures sit just below the thermal window that triggers aggressive salmonid feeding, but the Kenai's early king run traditionally kicks off in mid-to-late May, placing the fishery right on the doorstep of peak anticipation. Interior rivers are likely at or just past peak ice-out, with Arctic grayling and resident rainbows becoming increasingly accessible as flows stabilize. High, stained snowmelt water favors slower inside seams and back-eddies over main-channel drifts. Check state regulations before targeting kings — season dates and retention rules vary by river section and run strength annually.
Alabama Gulf warms into prime May window for cobia and inshore trout
Water temperatures at NOAA buoy 42012 registered 73°F as of early this morning — on-schedule for the late-spring transition that typically activates the best Gulf Coast inshore fishing of the year along Alabama's shores. Winds are light across the northern Gulf, with 4 m/s at buoy 42012 and 5 m/s at buoy 42040, keeping conditions accessible for bay and nearshore runs. Direct bite reports from Alabama waters are sparse in our current feeds; the closest regional angler community, the Pensacola Fishing Forum, shows discussion of offshore wahoo prospects and reef-fish activity, though these are conversational posts without corroborated catches on record. Seasonal timing and current water temperature suggest spotted seatrout and redfish are working Mobile Bay's grass flats and tidal structure, while the tail end of the Alabama cobia migration window remains open along nearshore reefs and buoys. Confirm the latest bite with a local captain before heading offshore.
Bluegill spawn ignites post-spawn bass on Coosa and Tennessee River
With the bluegill spawn in full swing across the Southeast, largemouth and spotted bass on Alabama's Tennessee and Coosa River systems are entering one of the most productive feeding windows of the calendar year. Tactical Bassin reports big fish actively patrolling shallow, heavy cover in pursuit of bluegill, with topwater frogs drawing explosive strikes — a pattern corroborated by TacticalBassin (YT)'s concurrent "Catching Giant Bass During the Bluegill Spawn" coverage. Meanwhile, MLF News reporting from Douglas Lake — a Tennessee River impoundment one state upstream — shows the May field split between two live patterns: shallow-water presentations near laydowns and bank structure (Keith Poche's championship approach) and offshore ledge schools targeted with early-summer tactics (Dylan Nutt's game). Both strategies are worth exploring across Alabama's Guntersville, Wheeler, and Pickwick pools on the Tennessee, and across the Coosa chain. USGS gauge 02339500 logged a moderate 929 cfs as of early May 10, supporting fishable conditions throughout. No water temperature reading is available at this gauge, but mid-70s°F water is typical for this date range.
Pigeon Point Salmon Bite Surges as Central Coast Waters Cool
Water temperatures along the Central Coast have settled into the mid-50s — NOAA buoy 46042 off Monterey reads 55°F and buoy 46026 near San Francisco holds at 54°F — and that cooling is driving a notable uptick in salmon activity. Per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing reports "vastly improved salmon conditions below Pigeon Point," noting water temperatures dropped from 58°F at the season's April 11 opening to 54°F this week. Davis emphasized the change in water character — not just temperature — as the key driver of the improved bite. Winds are running 17–27 knots across the buoy array, which will limit small-boat access on exposed stretches, so check current marine forecasts before launching. Rockfish remain a reliable nearshore target along the Central Coast's rocky structure. Last Quarter moon this weekend may shift feeding windows toward dawn and dusk low-light periods.
Delta bass and stripers enter prime May window as post-spawn bite builds
USGS gauge 11447650 recorded 68°F water at 17,900 cfs on the Sacramento River as of the evening of May 9 — temperatures that put the Delta firmly in range for aggressive warmwater feeding across bass, stripers, and catfish. Tactical Bassin reports this week that the bluegill spawn is 'in full swing,' pushing big largemouth into shallow heavy cover where topwater and frog presentations have been drawing strikes; a swimbait bite skipping around submerged structure has also been dialing in as fish shift toward post-spawn mode. No charter captain or regional tackle shop report specific to the Sacramento-Delta appeared in this cycle's feeds, so the species outlook below draws on the gauge data and seasonal patterns typical for this stretch of the system in early May. Flow at 17,900 cfs is elevated but manageable, and tidal exchange through the Delta's sloughs continues to move bait and predators through the cuts.
Gulf of Alaska halibut and salmon window opens as spring conditions hold
NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 are reading 41–42°F across the Gulf of Alaska as of early May 10, with winds ranging from a calm 4 m/s at buoy 46066 to a brisker 10 m/s at outer-gulf station 46080 — giving nearshore operators a workable window while offshore runners should monitor conditions closely. Angler intel specific to the Gulf of Alaska is sparse in current feeds; AK Sea Grant's recent coverage centers on mariculture development and coastal community research rather than sport-fishing bite data, so direct attribution for what's biting this week is limited. That said, 41–42°F water is typical for the Gulf in early May, and halibut charters typically ramp through this period as bottomfishing grounds become reliably accessible. King salmon early-run arrivals are possible in some nearshore systems by mid-month. Check local charter operators and current fishing advisories for run-timing specifics before heading out, as Gulf conditions and regulations shift quickly this time of year.
Kenai kings on the doorstep as interior grayling shake off winter
AK Sea Grant's well-attended Mariculture Conference in Anchorage signals Alaska's spring season is fully underway — though direct freshwater sport-fishing reports for the Kenai and interior rivers didn't surface in this cycle's feeds, and no buoy or gauge data reached this report. Based on typical mid-May patterns, the Kenai River's early king salmon run is approaching its traditional opening window, with the first Chinook historically pushing into the lower river around mid-month. Interior rivers that shed ice in late April should have Arctic grayling actively rising to emerging midges and stoneflies. Without on-the-water confirmation from a shop, captain, or agency report this week, this update leans on historical seasonal norms rather than live intelligence. Verify current run forecasts and any emergency orders through state fisheries resources before making the trip — early-run king management can shift quickly based on in-season counts.
Walleye Post-Spawn Window Opens as Finger Lakes Smallmouth Stage Pre-Spawn
Water temperature on USGS gauge 04232050 came in at 51°F this morning (May 7), a reading that reflects early-May conditions across the Finger Lakes basin. At this temperature, walleye have typically just wrapped their spawn — completion usually occurs in the 44–50°F band — and post-spawn fish are expected to be actively chasing bait on adjacent flats and depth breaks. Smallmouth bass are staging pre-spawn on rocky structure; Field & Stream's spring fishing roundup notes that early-season fish in cold, clear water consistently reward slow presentations over fast-moving gear. No direct on-the-water reports from Cayuga, Seneca, or Skaneateles appeared in this week's feeds, so we're drawing on the temperature signal and established seasonal patterns rather than captain or shop testimony. Lake trout and brown trout remain comfortable in the still-cool water column. The gauge also shows flow at 102 cfs — moderate and fishable for anglers targeting tributary mouths.
Post-Ice-Out Salmon Window Opens on Moosehead and Upper Penobscot
USGS gauge 01030500 logged 6,030 cfs on the upper Penobscot at 6:15 AM — elevated spring flow signaling active snowmelt across the highlands. No temperature reading was available from the gauge. At this flow stage and time of year, landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout typically hold in slack eddies, tributary mouths, and the slower pools just off the main current; retrieve speed should stay deliberate until water warms past 48°F. For Moosehead Lake itself, early May marks the classic post-ice-out window when togue cruise the 10–20-foot shelf before thermal stratification sets in. Across the broader New England freshwater picture, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports the spring trout bite has been strong region-wide through late April, with bass beginning to emerge as a secondary target — a transition that typically lags Maine's interior lakes by a week to ten days. No Moosehead-specific shop or charter reports were available this cycle; confirm local conditions before making the drive.
Salmon and Lakers Lead Early-May Action on Winnipesaukee
The Winnipesaukee River at Tilton (USGS gauge 01081000) recorded 382 cfs this morning, reflecting healthy spring runoff across the Lakes Region watershed. No water temperature reading is available from gauges this cycle, though early May in the NH Lakes Region typically sees surface temps climbing through the upper 40s to low 50s°F as post-ice-out warming accelerates. No NH-specific tackle-shop or charter reports came through this period, so species calls lean on seasonal pattern and regional freshwater sources. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes anglers across the region beginning to shift attention toward bass and panfish as spring trout stocking activity winds down. Landlocked salmon and lake trout — Winnipesaukee's signature cold-water species — remain most active at this point in the season before summer stratification pushes them into the depths. Smallmouth bass are likely pre-spawn, staging along rocky shorelines. The waning gibbous moon may suppress surface feeding during peak overhead periods; plan for early morning and evening windows. Check state regulations before targeting any species.
Lake Champlain: Landlocked Salmon Prime, Smallmouth Staging Deep
USGS gauge 04294500 recorded 42°F water on the morning of May 7th — a reading that puts landlocked salmon squarely in their prime spring feeding window while keeping smallmouth bass pinned to deep structure ahead of the pre-spawn push. No Lake Champlain-specific reports surfaced in this week's angler intel, so this update is anchored to the gauge reading and seasonal patterns. Landlocked salmon are cold-water fish and at 42°F should be feeding aggressively on smelt and alewife imitations near tributary inflows and the upper water column, before the lake stratifies into summer. Smallmouth tell a different story: 42°F is well below the 50°F-plus threshold for meaningful pre-spawn staging, and the fish are almost certainly deep and lethargic. Tactical Bassin notes that early-May bass nationwide are in transition between spawn phases and respond best to finesse presentations — sound advice for cold Champlain conditions. A waning gibbous moon supports dawn feeding windows for both species.
Dream Stream Spring Run Shines on South Platte
The USGS gauge at South Platte (site 06701900) logged 114 CFS on May 7 — a modest, fishable reading tied to Colorado's historically low 2026 snowpack. Colorado Trout Hunters reports one of the best spring migratory trout runs on the Dream Stream 'in quite some time,' with large lake-run fish actively drawing experienced anglers on trophy-focused guided trips. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing notes the river is 'waking up much earlier than normal' this spring due to unseasonably warm weather, with reliable midge hatches already underway across larval, pupal, and adult stages. Cutthroat Anglers, guiding Summit County drainages, acknowledges the snowpack is 'historically bad' but flags the upside: reduced runoff is delivering clearer water and an extended fishable window. A significant structural development looms for the South Platte drainage — Hatch Magazine reports Denver Water plans to completely drain Antero Reservoir, which feeds the trophy lake-run fishery that defines the Dream Stream experience.
Spring Runoff Builds on Yellowstone & Snake
USGS gauge 06192500 recorded 4,150 cfs and 50°F water on the Yellowstone drainage at the May 7 morning read — an early-runoff snapshot that puts fly anglers squarely in the pre-peak window. Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergences rank among the most consequential early-season events on Yellowstone-area waters, with hatch knowledge directly driving surface-fishing success. Flylab (Substack) contributor John Juracek, reflecting on Madison River conditions adjacent to Yellowstone, observes that spring-fed drainages can hold quality dry-fly fishing before main-stem flows color up entirely. At 50°F, cutthroat and brown trout are feeding actively in current seams and soft edges. Nymphing sub-surface caddis and midge patterns is the most reliable approach right now, with afternoon caddis emerger dries worth rigging as a second weapon during the 1–4 p.m. warming window. Anglers should expect progressively off-color water in main-stem reaches as snowpack melt intensifies. Species activity levels below reflect seasonal norms for early May; no local guide or shop intel confirmed specific bite conditions this cycle.
South Fork Spring Runoff Peaks on Snake River
USGS gauge 13037500 recorded 12,700 CFS on the Snake River early Thursday morning — a strong spring runoff pulse placing the South Fork drainage firmly in high-water mode. No water temperature is available at this gauge. Wading is dangerous at these flows; drift boats and rafts are the practical way to reach fishable water. Cutthroat and brown trout stack in near-bank seams, eddies behind boulders, and slack-water pockets during runoff events, with streamers and heavy nymph rigs fished tight to structure being the conventional approach. Visibility is likely reduced. No Idaho-specific angler reports appeared in this cycle's feeds; species ratings below reflect typical seasonal patterns for high-water May on the South Fork. On the entomological front, Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergences are among the most important feeding events on western trout rivers in early May, and MidCurrent's recent pattern coverage highlighted a jigged Grannom Caddis Pupa and tailrace soft-hackles that apply directly to South Fork seam fishing — the Mother's Day Caddis window is approaching.
Flathead at Snowmelt Peaks: Edge-Water Cutthroat the Key Play
USGS gauge 12372000 clocked the Flathead drainage at 14,900 cfs and 52°F just before dawn on May 7 — textbook peak-runoff territory for early May in northwest Montana. Main-stem wading is effectively off the table at those flows, and drift anglers need to read seams carefully. The productive water right now is the soft stuff: eddy lines, tributary confluences, and slower inside bends where cutthroat and whitefish can stack without burning constant energy against the current. On the lake side, Flathead Lake's surface is warming through the low-50s, historically a transition window that draws lake trout shallower before summer thermoclines lock in. One Montana-specific note worth your attention: Flylords Mag reported this week that PFAS chemical contamination has been detected in fish across several of the state's most popular fisheries, with Montana PBS also alleging that Montana FWP suppressed a 2024 internal report on the findings. No fisheries are currently closed, but anglers keeping fish should check for updated consumption advisories before harvesting.
Indiana Shore Salmon: Alewife Surge Points to Active Spring Season
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirmed a record 2024 coho salmon harvest of more than 210,000 fish across Lake Michigan — alongside over 160,000 Chinook, the best Chinook return since 2012 — both credited to strengthened alewife year classes improving stocked-fish survival rates. Those same forage dynamics extend to Indiana's southern Lake Michigan shoreline for spring 2026. No current NOAA buoy readings or USGS gauge data are available for this update, leaving water temperatures unconfirmed; verify local harbor conditions before heading out. Steelhead and coho are the primary spring targets near harbor mouths and tributary inflows in early May, with action typically peaking before surface temps push above 55°F. Yellow perch remain a dependable pier and breakwall staple through the month. Smallmouth bass are transitioning through spawn phases — Tactical Bassin notes that early May puts fish simultaneously in pre-spawn staging, active bedding, and early post-spawn recovery, rewarding anglers who adapt presentations quickly. Check state regulations for tributary closures and trout/salmon limits before harvesting.
Spring Salmon Season Opens Off Chicago as Lake Michigan Enters Peak May Window
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's 2024 harvest summary sets a bullish backdrop for spring 2026: record coho salmon exceeding 210,000 lake-wide and 160,000 Chinook — the best Chinook take since 2012 — driven by robust alewife year classes that boosted stocked-fish survival. Those cohorts are now aging into prime size, raising expectations for the Chinook and coho season opening off Chicago. No live buoy data is available for the Illinois shoreline this week, so current surface temperature is unconfirmed; typical for early May is the upper 40s to low 50s°F. Great Lakes Now reports Michigan lawmakers are weighing an emergency whitefish stocking program as lower Great Lakes populations continue to decline — making whitefish a marginal target for Chicago anglers right now. Nearshore, early May marks the start of a productive post-spawn smallmouth transition, a pattern Tactical Bassin documents as one of the most predictable windows on Midwest waters.
Walleye Active on Upper Mississippi Wing Dams
USGS gauge 05420500 clocked the Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa at 85,500 cfs and 59°F this morning — conditions that place walleye squarely in their post-spawn feeding mode. AnglingBuzz featured early spring river walleye fishing with a Dubuque Rig breakdown this week, and that bottom-bouncing live-bait presentation is well-suited to the current seams, wing dam edges, and slack pockets forming behind navigation structures under these high flows. Crappie are a strong secondary target: water at 59°F sits at the front edge of the spawn trigger window, and fish should be pressing into flooded timber and riprap in the backwater sloughs threading through these pools. Tactical Bassin notes that bass in early May are mid-transition between spawn and early summer — some fish retreating to deeper structure, others still patrolling shallow cover — a pattern that maps cleanly onto the backwater lakes and oxbows in the Clinton-to-Dubuque stretch. With flows elevated, positioning behind any current break is the essential tactical adjustment.
Post-Spawn Bass Transition Underway on Texoma & Eufaula
USGS gauge 07331600 is logging 41.2 cfs as of May 7 — a low inflow reading suggesting stable, likely clearing water conditions entering the Lake Texoma system. No water temperature data is available from current gauges. None of the regional angler feeds this week include direct reports from Lake Texoma or Eufaula, so technique guidance draws on general May bass content: Tactical Bassin's early-May coverage confirms that bass across southern reservoirs are in active post-spawn transition right now, with fish split between lingering spawners in protected coves and post-spawn fish pushing toward offshore structure and summer staging areas. Topwater poppers, swimbaits (including the Magdraft skipped around timber), and finesse presentations like the Karashi are the highlighted patterns. Striped bass — Texoma's headline species — are typically in post-spawn recovery mode by the first week of May. A waning gibbous moon favors first-light and last-light feeding windows; plan early starts for the best action.
Current River: Elevated Flows Shape Early-May Trout Tactics
USGS gauge 07067000 on the Current River registered 1,830 cfs at 4:30 a.m. on May 7 — running well above the 600–1,000 cfs window guides prefer for comfortable wade fishing and pushing a stain into an otherwise clear Ozark stream. No water temperature was available from the gauge at this reading. None of the angler-intel sources in this cycle reported directly from the Current or Niangua trout parks, so conditions here draw on gauge data and broadly applicable technique coverage. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday this week highlights a pine squirrel jig streamer built for rocky freestone bottoms — exactly the presentation to swing through deep seams when clarity is limited. Caddis emergences, covered in detail by Hatch Magazine this season, are a hallmark of early-May Ozark rivers; expect late-afternoon surface activity if flows ease and water clears mid-week. Smallmouth bass on the Current are in post-spawn transition, consistent with the early-May movement patterns Tactical Bassin (blog) documented this week.
Taneycomo Tailwater Trout Hold as Table Rock Bass Shift Post-Spawn
MidCurrent this week flagged midge-style patterns as key producers in clear, pressured tailrace environments — and few Missouri fisheries match that description more closely than Lake Taneycomo. Real-time data from USGS gauge 07054410 came back empty this cycle, leaving flow and temperature unconfirmed, but early-May conditions on this White River tailwater typically favor active rainbow and brown trout in the upper sections below Table Rock Dam. Cold dam releases keep water temperatures well below warmwater thresholds year-round, making this one of Missouri's most reliable spring trout destinations. On Table Rock proper, Tactical Bassin confirms that Midwest bass have entered their post-spawn transition, scattering from beds to nearby structure and cover. No charter or tackle-shop reports specific to this fishery made it into our current feeds; local conditions should be verified before your trip.
White River tailwaters: lean flows open prime wading window
The USGS gauge on the White River system logged 59°F and just 7.25 cfs at 5:00 a.m. this morning — low, gin-clear conditions that create ideal wading access but demand a stealthy, technical presentation. At 59°F the trout are squarely in their prime feeding range, and minimal generation flow keeps the current manageable for working nymph rigs tight to seams and undercut banks. No White River-specific shop or guide reports surfaced in this data cycle, but MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights midge patterns built for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters precisely. Hatch Magazine's caddis emergence coverage points to early May as a transitional hatch window across regional tailwaters. The waning gibbous moon may concentrate feeding activity into the early-morning and late-afternoon windows. Check current dam generation schedules before wading — flows can rise quickly when turbines come online.
Cumberland gin-clear water: post-spawn bass finesse
USGS gauge 03413200 recorded the Cumberland River at 12.7 cfs on the morning of May 7 — an extremely low reading that pushes the tailwater into gin-clear, minimal-current conditions. No water temperature data was available from the gauge. MidCurrent flagged a midge-style GFC Fly this week as a top choice for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits the Cumberland tailwater almost exactly right now; long leaders and light tippet are essential when visibility is this high. Up on Lake Cumberland, Tactical Bassin's early-May bass coverage describes post-spawn fish scattering from beds to shallow cover and open water, with topwater and finesse presentations both producing — calling this "one of the most predictable times of year." Crappie are typically finishing their spawn against dock structure and brush piles through mid-May. The waning gibbous moon sets up reliable low-light feeding windows at dawn. Verify current trout regulations before keeping fish from the tailwater.