Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Eastern Sierra Trout Season Opens: Stillwaters Full, Runoff Looming
Reno Fly Shop (NV) reported at the end of April that 'most of our area stillwaters are full and fishing well' following a run of storms, with flows in the Truckee River corridor stabilized and 'continuing to warm up.' For the Eastern Sierra, this signals a promising opening stretch — area lakes and reservoirs are likely holding well, and trout should be active in the mid-water column and near thermal breaks as surface temps climb. No current USGS data is available from gauge 10265200, so exact stream flows are unconfirmed, but seasonal runoff is typical for early May in this range. Reno Fly Shop recommends tungsten balanced leeches, micro holo midges, and the Yankee Buzzer for stillwater conditions. MidCurrent notes that hatches are 'beginning to fire' across western trout fisheries at this time of year, with surface and film patterns beginning to produce. High-country access to alpine streams and backcountry lakes remains limited; lower-elevation waters are the primary target for now.
Shore Walleye Bite Fires as Iron Range Rivers Rise
USGS gauge 05129115 logged 1,340 cfs this morning — a textbook late-spring snowmelt surge through the Iron Range watershed, with no water temperature yet recorded at the instrument. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is signaling that the shore walleye bite is on right now, a call that aligns squarely with the early-May post-ice-out staging window when walleye push onto shallow, current-washed structure. AnglingBuzz recently covered Minnesota DNR walleye stocking and hatchery research, pointing toward a healthy population entering the season. Fishing the Midwest highlights the return to spinning gear and jig-and-minnow presentations — well-suited to the cold, clear water typical of post-ice-out lakes across northern Minnesota. Northern pike are characteristically active in warming shallows this time of year. The waning gibbous moon sets in the early-morning hours, opening a strong low-light dawn window. Check current state regulations for walleye and bass opener dates before retaining any fish.
North Shore Tributaries: Late Steelhead Still Open
USGS gauge 04015330 recorded a flow of 91.3 cfs on the morning of May 7 — a moderate reading that puts North Shore tributary streams in workable condition for late-run steelhead and resident rainbows. No in-lake water temperature data is available this cycle, so anglers should verify conditions at the access point before wading. Direct reports specific to MN's North Shore are limited this week, but the broader Lake Superior basin is showing activity: WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been tracking heightened angler interest in lake whitefish through Chequamegon Bay this spring, and Great Lakes Now reports that state lawmakers are examining whitefish stock recovery efforts across the lower Great Lakes — a signal of how closely this fishery is being watched. On walleye, Jason Mitchell Outdoors flags that the shore walleye bite is on across the upper Midwest right now, a post-spawn shallowing pattern that typically extends to North Shore river mouths and nearshore structure. Waning Gibbous moon overhead may compress the most productive feeding windows toward dawn.
Walleye Shore Bite Ignites Across Wisconsin Northwoods in Early May
Jason Mitchell Outdoors is calling it directly: the shore walleye bite is on right now, flagging this as prime time to target fish from accessible points and rocky banks. Reinforcing that signal, AnglingBuzz paired with Hooked Up Wisconsin this week to break down swimbait techniques for walleye, bass, and crappie—a strong read that Wisconsin anglers are capitalizing on mid-water presentations as post-spawn fish transition to feeding. USGS gauge 05400650 returned no readings this cycle, so water temperature is unconfirmed; Northwoods lakes typically sit in the upper 40s to low 50s°F in early May, right in the walleye feeding window. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain foundational walleye tools, with spinning gear regaining favor for the finesse presentations these fish often prefer in cold, clear water. Dawn and dusk windows along rocky transitional structure are the logical focal points. Check local state regulations before keeping fish, as slot limits vary by water.
Door County Salmon Season Underway; Rowley's Bay Launch Closed Through May 31
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documents a strong population baseline heading into spring 2026: last season's coho harvest set a record at more than 210,000 fish, while Chinook topped 160,000 — the best Chinook tally since 2012. Robust alewife forage classes, per the WI DNR, are credited with boosting stocked-fish survival, and that momentum typically carries into the spring trolling season now underway along the Door County and Sheboygan coastlines. One critical access note: the Rowley's Bay boat launch in Liberty Grove (Door County) is closed from ice-off through approximately 4 p.m. on May 31, 2026, while concrete improvements are completed — plan alternate launch points accordingly. No real-time buoy data is available for current surface temperatures or wave heights. Lake whitefish remain under pressure system-wide, with the WI DNR actively seeking public input on revised total allowable catch levels for Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
Lake Superior Whitefish Active After UP Flooding
USGS gauge 04059500 logged 653 cfs on a UP Michigan tributary early May 7, reflecting the aftermath of what Great Lakes Now described as record-high rainfall in northern Michigan last week, compounded by above-average March snowpack melt that drove area waterways to historic flood levels. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was unavailable at publication time. On the Lake Superior side, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program highlights a thriving lake whitefish fishery along the Chequamegon Bay corridor — a stretch of shoreline extending into Michigan UP waters — with angler demand high enough to prompt a formal management questionnaire and a public meeting this spring. Separately, Great Lakes Now reports Michigan lawmakers are weighing appropriations for a whitefish rearing-and-stocking program to address stock concerns statewide. For stream-trout anglers, the immediate focus is gauge-watching: high, off-color flows call for patience and heavier, high-visibility presentations until runoff subsides.
Saginaw Bay Prime Walleye Window Opens as Whitefish Stocks Draw State Alarm
Great Lakes Now reports Michigan lawmakers are considering emergency funding for a lake whitefish rearing and stocking program, citing near-collapse of the species in the lower Great Lakes — a significant backdrop for Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay anglers this week. No real-time sensor readings were available: USGS gauge 04157000 returned null data, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was inaccessible due to a site compatibility block, leaving specific local conditions unconfirmed for this update. Seasonally, early May marks the prime post-spawn walleye window on Saginaw Bay, when fish push off river mouths onto shallow mud flats. Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live bait rigs remain staple presentations for walleye during Midwest spring transitions — a tactic that translates well to Saginaw Bay's structure. Yellow perch typically follow a similar seasonal cadence into the bay.
Chinook Run Begins: Grand River to Lake Michigan
USGS gauge 04119000 clocked the Grand River at 5,300 cfs in the early hours of May 7, signaling active spring runoff that will push a turbid plume into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven and likely scatter near-mouth staging fish further offshore. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this cycle. Direct on-water intel from local charters and tackle shops is thin in this report, so specifics carry lower confidence than usual. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report placed 2024 coho harvest at a record 210,000-plus fish and Chinook at 160,000-plus — the best since 2012 — driven by strong alewife year-classes that boosted stocked fish survival; those cohorts are now maturing into the 2026 lake-run fishery. Tactical Bassin (blog) confirms early May is prime post-spawn transition for bass, with topwater and swimbait presentations both dialed in across the region.
Bass Hitting Topwater and Finesse Rigs in Post-Spawn Push at Ohio Reservoirs
Tactical Bassin's early-May on-water session documents bass actively feeding on topwater poppers, Karashi-style finesse rigs, and swimbaits as the post-spawn transition accelerates — a pattern directly applicable to Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir this week. USGS gauge 03110000 on the Mahoning River logged 141 cfs on May 7 with no water temperature reading available; that moderate inflow suggests stable reservoir levels heading into the weekend. The waning gibbous moon shifts prime feeding windows away from pre-dawn toward mid-morning and evening. Walleye — the signature target on both lakes — are typically post-spawn and scattered across main-lake points and mid-depth humps by early May, and Fishing the Midwest notes that jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs remain the go-to presentation when walleye scatter after the spawn. No local charter or tackle-shop reports were available this cycle; conditions are synthesized from regional angler intel and seasonal norms for northeast Ohio.
Post-Spawn Walleye Scatter Across Western Basin as Maumee Flows Surge
USGS gauge 04193500 on the Maumee River at Waterville logged 6,590 cfs at 4:00 a.m. on May 7 — a moderating but still-elevated spring flow that signals walleye have largely finished spawning and are dispersing into the open Western Basin. No buoy water temperature reading was available this week, though surface temps typically reach the low-to-mid 50s°F by early May, encouraging post-spawn fish to suspend and spread across mid-lake structure. Fishing the Midwest this week makes a timely case for returning to spinning gear and slip-sinker live-bait rigs when targeting walleye, noting that jigs and crawler harnesses perform most efficiently on light spinning combos — technique advice that translates directly to drifting basin flats in the weeks following the spawning run. No charter or tackle-shop reports specific to the Western Basin were available in our feeds this week; conditions described here are grounded in gauge data and patterns typical for this date on Lake Erie's western end.
PA Limestone Trout Peak Hatch on Spring Creek
USGS gauge 01546500 logged Spring Creek at 101 cfs early this morning — a moderate, wading-friendly flow that keeps visibility reasonable through limestone-fed pools and riffles. Water temperature was not available in this gauge cycle. No specific on-the-ground reports from Spring Creek or Penns Creek appeared in this week's intel feeds, so conditions here blend gauge data with what's typical for central Pennsylvania limestone systems in early May. That said, early May is historically the most productive hatch window on both streams. Sulphur mayflies, Grannom caddis, and Blue-Winged Olives overlap in this period, giving wild brown and rainbow trout steady feeding cues from late morning through evening. Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergences are foundational to trout-stream success at this time of year. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage highlights surface-film and open-water patterns as the right toolkit once hatches begin firing. Confirm current stocking schedules with PA Fish & Boat before your trip.
Target Allegheny Eddies and Tailraces in High Spring Flows
USGS gauge 03036500 recorded 30,400 cfs on the Allegheny drainage as of 4:00 AM May 7 — a high-water pulse that reshapes the tactical picture across the Pittsburgh tailwaters. No temperature reading accompanied the gauge data, so anglers should probe conditions firsthand. With no regional shop or charter intel captured in this cycle, the flow reading is the sharpest signal available. At these levels, walleye — the Pittsburgh tailwater anchor species — tend to stack in current relief below lock-and-dam walls and in deep eddy pockets; slow-rolled jigs or slip-sinker rigs close to bottom, a technique Fishing the Midwest identifies as a consistent walleye staple, are the logical starting point. Smallmouth bass are in their classic early-May post-spawn transition, per Tactical Bassin, with fish scattered between shallow cover and open-water staging areas. The Waning Gibbous moon supports low-light activity windows at dawn and dusk. Check PA Fish & Boat for current stocking or regulation updates before heading out.
Walleye and Perch in Post-Spawn Mode on Erie Tributaries
USGS gauge 04213000 recorded 2,520 cfs on a Lake Erie tributary as of early May 7, reflecting lingering spring runoff that can concentrate baitfish and staging predators near tributary mouths. No buoy water temperature data was available for open-lake conditions this cycle. Direct on-water reports from Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay were sparse in this week's intel feeds — PA Fish & Boat's Biologist Reports portal returned navigation content only, leaving local conditions largely unconfirmed. That said, the calendar and tributary flows tell a familiar story: walleye are past their spawn and beginning their post-spawn scatter to mid-lake humps and hard-bottom structure. Presque Isle Bay's shallow, protected coves are warming ahead of the open lake, drawing smallmouth bass into pre-spawn staging. Tactical Bassin's early-May coverage notes bass are responding to topwater poppers and finesse presentations like a Karashi swimbait as fish straddle spawn phases — a pattern consistent with Presque Isle's mixed shallow-and-deep layout.
Lake Erie: Smallmouth Spawn Peaks, Post-Spawn Walleye Stage Offshore
USGS gauge 04231600 recorded 52°F water and 10,400 cfs on the morning of May 7, placing the Lake Erie and Niagara corridor squarely in the prime smallmouth bass spawn window. Smallmouth are staging on rocky shoals and nearshore structure, with fish spread across every phase from active bedders to early post-spawn migrants. Walleye, which complete their tributary-shallows spawn earlier in spring, are now shifting toward deeper open-water holding zones. Tactical Bassin's early-May coverage notes that multiple patterns coexist simultaneously right now — topwater, swimbaits, and finesse rigs each produce depending on where individual fish sit in their cycle. Fishing the Midwest highlights that jig-and-slip-sinker rigs remain dependable walleye producers during post-spawn transitions. Yellow perch should remain active in nearshore zones at these temperatures, typical for the region in early May. The waning gibbous moon supports productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Always verify current NY regulations before harvesting.
Catskill Mother's Day Caddis window opens
Two USGS gauges checked at dawn May 7 put the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls at 104 cfs and the East Branch Delaware at Margaretville at 387 cfs — flows that keep both Catskill drainages in fishable territory, though the East Branch is running on the fuller side. No water temperature readings came through from either site, so thermal conditions will need to be verified on the water. The timing matters: this week sits squarely on the doorstep of the Mother's Day Grannom caddis hatch, arguably the most anticipated emergence on classic Catskill water, and Hatch Magazine's current coverage of caddis emergences underscores how much hinges on this window for northeastern trout streams. MidCurrent's latest fly-tying roundup — addressing surface, film, and subsurface presentations — is a timely signal that hatches are beginning to fire across the region. On the Adirondacks side, Flylords Mag recently highlighted the Raquette River as a multi-species draw, with northern pike a post-spawn target alongside native brook trout.
Oswego Basin Enters Late-Spring Transition
USGS gauge 04250750 logged the Oswego basin at 512 cfs in the early hours of May 7 — a moderate, wading-friendly flow as spring runoff begins to ease. Water temperature data was not returned by the gauge. At this point in early May, the Lake Ontario tributary spring steelhead run is typically past its peak; fish that entered the Salmon River and Oswego systems through March and April are increasingly returning to the lake as water warms. Smallmouth bass are the emerging target. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that early May places bass in a clear post-spawn transition, split between shallow staging cover and open-water edges — a pattern that maps well onto the rocky runs and pool tailouts of the Salmon River corridor. No regional charter, tackle-shop, or state agency reports for this specific area were available in this data pull; verify current local bite conditions with Pulaski or Oswego-area sources directly before making the trip.
Peak Runoff on Tap: Wind River & North Platte Trout Push to Edge Water
Hatch Magazine's recent deep-dive on caddis emergences — noting that even in runoff years, caddis activity accelerates once water temps breach the mid-40s°F threshold — is the most relevant signal in this week's angler-intel feeds for Wyoming's Wind River and North Platte drainages. USGS gauge 06259000 returned no flow or temperature readings at report time, leaving current conditions unconfirmed. Early May sits squarely in Wyoming's peak runoff window, when snowmelt from the Wind River Range typically colors main-stem flows and pushes trout into slower edge water and tributary mouths. Field & Stream's early-season spring primer cautions that cold, off-color water steers fish away from mid-channel riffles and toward deeper, slower lies — consistent with typical North Platte tailwater behavior at this stage. No Wyoming-specific shop or charter reports were available this cycle; species statuses below reflect seasonal defaults rather than confirmed angler reports. Confirm river conditions locally before committing to a wade or float trip.
Wisconsin River: Walleye and whitefish active, season open
Wisconsin's 2026–2027 general inland fishing season opened May 2 — the first Saturday of May, as confirmed by WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News — and anglers should know that several new regulations, season dates, and bag/length limits are in effect this year before hitting the water. The Wisconsin River at USGS gauge 05391000 was running 582 cfs as of early May 7, indicating moderate spring flows that typically position walleye in current seams and eddies. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing reports that lake whitefish angling in Chequamegon Bay has become a genuinely popular fishery, with the DNR recently hosting a public management meeting in Ashland to shape future regulations. Inland trout season opened April 4 and runs through October 15. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) notes the shore walleye bite is actively on right now, and AnglingBuzz (YT) highlights swimbait presentations as an effective multi-species approach for walleye, bass, and crappie this spring.
WV Pickerel Record Set in Preston County; Bass Hit Post-Spawn
A new West Virginia state length record for chain pickerel arrived April 21, when Matt Born of Reedsville landed a 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound fish from a private pond in Preston County, narrowly besting his own prior mark of 27.87 inches — per Outdoor Hub. Flow at USGS gauge 03051000 sits at 364 cfs as of early May 7; no water temperature reading was available from the gauge. That moderate flow points to fishable conditions heading into the weekend. Bass are deep in the early-May post-spawn shuffle: Tactical Bassin reports fish splitting between residual shallow-spawn areas and the first open-water transition zones, with topwater poppers, swimbaits, and finesse rigs all drawing strikes simultaneously. The waning gibbous moon currently favors pre-dawn and late-evening windows over midday activity. With no gauge temperature data on hand, historically the New River runs in the low-to-mid 60s °F by the first week of May — prime range for aggressive smallmouth feeding.
Spring Chinook Stir on WA Pacific as Calm Conditions Hold Near Neah Bay
NOAA buoy 46087 at the Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance registered just 2 m/s (under 4 knots) of wind and 50°F air this morning, pointing to settled conditions for early May offshore runs. Buoy 46041 off Cape Elizabeth showed more breeze at 6 m/s (~12 knots), but nothing that should keep boats at the dock. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both stations this cycle. Saltwater Sportsman's Buoy 10 feature — set at the Columbia River mouth just south of the WA coast — described 'an armada of river sleds' chasing chinook and coho with Capt. Hugh Harris, a strong signal that Pacific salmon are actively in play along this stretch of coastline as May opens. WA WDFW Fishing Reports maintains active creel surveys statewide; check their current reports for tidal-basin and freshwater bite counts. With mild air, easing wind, and a waning gibbous moon still generating solid tidal movement, the Pacific coast setup looks favorable for spring chinook and halibut through this weekend.
Spring Takes Hold on the Columbia River
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded Columbia-system flow at 1,590 cfs and 58°F on May 7 — a temperature squarely in the prime spring chinook migration window for Washington. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms statewide angler monitoring is active, though site-specific creel data for this week is not yet available in this reporting cycle. No regional charter captains or tackle shops filed reports in this update. That said, 58°F water is warm enough to push chinook aggressively through lower Columbia staging areas while keeping dissolved oxygen high; flows at 1,590 cfs point to a moderate, fishable stage. Rainbow and cutthroat trout in Puget Sound tributaries should be firing up as invertebrate hatches intensify — typical for early May in these freestone systems. Smallmouth bass in lower Columbia reaches are entering a pre-spawn feeding window. Anglers should confirm current hatchery and mark-selective gear rules with WA WDFW before targeting chinook or steelhead.
Post-Spawn Stripers Clearing Out of the Bay
Water temperature sits at 53°F per NOAA buoy 44009 this morning — right at the transition between striper season's spring bloom and the run-up to cobia. On The Water's May 1 migration map noted the push "really snowballs once the large post-spawn females leave the Chesapeake," and OTW Saltwater's May 5 report confirms the wave has arrived: big bass are running beaches from Maryland to Long Island, signaling the main departure from the Bay mouth. Straggler and resident bass are still in play on hard tide changes along channel edges. Virginia DWR's spring fishing report flagged April as peak shad time across Virginia's tidal rivers, and that run is likely still trickling through the lower Bay in early May. Summer flounder are coming online across the mid-Atlantic — The Fisherman noted the NJ/DE fluke season opened May 4 — and similar timing applies in Virginia. Cobia await warmer water.
Shad Run Peaks on the Potomac in Early May
The Potomac River is flowing at 3,690 cfs (USGS gauge 01646500) as of early May 7, setting a brisk but fishable pace along its mid-Atlantic corridor. Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog reports that American and hickory shad are in peak run form this month, spotlighting successful fish passage on Virginia's tidal rivers and recommending small darts and flutter spoons fished in current seams. That shad intel is the dominant headline for anyone targeting the lower Potomac right now. Upriver, bass are in the post-spawn transition: Tactical Bassin notes that early May finds largemouth and smallmouth across multiple depth bands — topwater drawing strikes in the mornings, swimbaits around shallow timber, and finesse rigs for midday pressure. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map shows large post-spawn females dispersing from the Chesapeake, putting keeper rockfish within reach of Potomac tidal stretches. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge today; check local conditions before choosing a stretch.
Connecticut River shad run building north
The Connecticut River shad run has kicked into gear across the region. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut (Aaron Swanson), the run "kicked into gear over the last 10 or so days with some very good fishing" in stretches well south of Vermont — a migration front that historically pushes upstream through May. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater confirms shad numbers "rising daily" in the Connecticut River, with willow-leaf Steaves Leaves rigs on ¾–1 oz casting sinkers dominating the bite and selling out at area shops. USGS gauge 01135300 logged 265 cfs before dawn on May 7 — a moderate, fishable flow well-suited to bank and wade anglers. No water temperature was available from that gauge. Lake Champlain's walleye and bass fisheries carry no direct reports in this cycle, but early May typically marks the tail end of walleye spawning and the onset of bass pre-spawn to post-spawn activity across the shallower northern bays.