Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Yellowstone caddis hatches building ahead of runoff
USGS gauge 06043500 clocked the Yellowstone River at 771 cfs on May 7 — a fishable pre-runoff reading that opens a productive window before snowmelt pushes flows into spring flood territory. Hatch Magazine, drawing on decades of Yellowstone hatch expertise, flags that caddis emergences are ramping up and deserve anglers' full attention right now. On the access side, MT FWP Fishing News reports that the boat ramp and parking area at Grey Bear Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone remain closed due to ongoing construction delays, with completion now expected around May 21 — plan your float access accordingly and consult myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/allRestrictions before any float trip. One significant health note: MT FWP, alongside DEQ and DPHHS, has released PFAS fish consumption advisories for certain Montana waterbodies; consult the state advisory before keeping any catch. Nymphing and emerging caddis dry-fly presentations are the techniques to lean on while these moderate flows hold.
Missouri River Running High; Bass Post-Spawn
USGS gauge 06934500 logged 111,000 CFS and 63°F water on the Missouri River as of May 6 — elevated flow that will push bass, walleye, and catfish toward slack-water edges, wing-dam pockets, and current seams. At 63°F, largemouth and smallmouth bass are deep into the post-spawn transition. Tactical Bassin reports that early-May bass are spreading across multiple patterns: post-spawn fish relate to shallow cover while others push toward deeper structure. Their crews found topwater, swimbaits (Magdraft skipped around trees), and finesse presentations like the Karashi all producing in sequence on the same outing. Fishing the Midwest confirms walleye remain catchable on jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs during spring transitions. No Missouri-specific charter or tackle-shop intel arrived in this cycle, so on-the-ground Ozark tributary conditions remain unconfirmed; anglers heading to smaller Ozark streams should verify local flows and expect conditions to vary from the elevated main-stem reading.
Moderate Chop on the Sound as May's Cobia Season Comes Into Range
NOAA buoy 42067 recorded 3.6-foot wave heights and sustained winds near 8 m/s (~15 knots) across the Mississippi Sound in the early hours of May 7, with air temperatures at a comfortable 77°F. No water temperature reading was available from the buoy this cycle. On-the-water angler intel for the Sound was sparse in our feeds this week — no local charter or tackle-shop reports pinned down exactly what's biting where. That said, early May is historically one of the most active windows on the Sound: cobia typically stage along nearshore structure and barrier island passes as Gulf water warms, speckled trout concentrate on grass flats in the back bays, and Spanish mackerel push inshore along the barrier islands. MS DMR public notices log ongoing permit review for Jackson County and Harrison County coastal infrastructure — anglers fishing near the Pascagoula River drainage should monitor for any associated turbidity. Plan launches around calmer morning windows and verify the latest Gulf forecast before heading out.
Mississippi River Bass Lock Into Post-Spawn Transition
USGS gauge 07289000 recorded the Mississippi River at Vicksburg pushing 779,000 cfs early on May 7 — elevated flow that's steering productive angling away from main-channel flats and toward backwater oxbows, eddy walls, and flooded timber seams. No water temperature was available from the gauge. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin's early-May reporting describes a classic post-spawn transition underway: some largemouth are sliding shallow around remaining cover while others move toward open-water staging areas. Topwater poppers, swimbaits skipped around flooded trees, and finesse rigs are all viable right now, per Tactical Bassin. Field & Stream notes that alligator gar — a Mississippi River native — favor these high-water windows, positioning in slack areas where current concentrates disoriented baitfish. The waning gibbous moon favors low-light feeding pushes at dawn and dusk. For the Pearl River, no gauge data was available this cycle; anglers should check local conditions before launching.
North Shore Steelhead Running Strong as MN Rivers Recover from April Rains
The MN DNR North Shore Fishing Report confirms steelhead are active across all lower shore rivers — a welcome turnaround from the dramatic high-water event that pushed the Knife River from 370 to 4,690 CFS in just seven hours on April 23. Levels and clarity have since improved. A smelt run on the North Shore is still pending but could arrive any day as water temps continue climbing. In the Twin Cities corridor, USGS gauge 05331000 recorded 23,800 CFS on the Mississippi at St. Paul on May 7, while upstream gauge 05288500 showed 14,700 CFS — elevated but fishable for walleye working current seams and structure edges. AnglingBuzz highlights early spring river walleye as a prime pattern right now, with the Dubuque rig as a go-to on moving water. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes bass entering a post-spawn transition this week, with multiple presentations firing as fish scatter from beds toward early-summer cover.
May Bass Post-Spawn Peak on Michigan's Grand River
The USGS gauge on the Grand River (site 04119000) recorded 5,340 cfs on May 7 — elevated spring flow pushing fish out of mid-channel and into slack-water pockets, eddy lines, and flooded bank cover. Tactical Bassin notes that early-May bass across the Midwest are deep in the post-spawn transition, with multiple patterns producing: finesse presentations like the Karashi, topwater, and swimbaits around shallow structure are all worth cycling through as fish scatter between spawning flats and staging areas. Fishing the Midwest highlights jigs and slip-sinker live-bait rigs as reliable walleye approaches in swollen river systems. On a troubling conservation note, Great Lakes Now reports that lake whitefish in the lower Great Lakes are "teetering on the brink of collapse," with Michigan lawmakers considering a rearing and stocking initiative. No water temperature data was available from the gauge. Tonight's waning gibbous moon favors first-light and dusk feeding windows.
Spring stripers arriving in Cape Cod canal
Water temps ranging from 47°F (NOAA buoy 44013, inner bay) to 53°F (NOAA buoy 44020, outer Cape shelf) frame a pivotal week for Cape Cod Bay anglers. Per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, stripers arrived at the Cape Cod Canal herring run last Friday, with over-slot fish caught and released — Red Top Sporting Goods confirmed fish were breaking just off the run, and green crabs are the hot bait across Buzzards Bay. Fresh bass are also confirmed in Plymouth Harbor. OTW Saltwater's May 5 migration report notes fresh fish filling in on Cape Cod as the broader coastal push extends from Maryland through Long Island. Tautog in Buzzards Bay are described as approaching their seasonal peak. The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands flags the black sea bass opener as imminent. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, Dave Anderson projects a rapid increase in striper size and numbers over the coming 10 days as the migration fills north.
Lunker largemouth on bladed jigs as Central MA bass enter post-spawn transition
A 7.25-pound largemouth bass taken on a bladed jig at Cook Pond in Massachusetts headlines the week, reported by Jeff Sullivan in The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. That fish captures the mood in Central MA right now: bass are finishing their spawn and shifting into a transitional post-spawn pattern producing consistently across ponds and lakes. Per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, stocked trout fishing remains productive though angler attention is visibly rotating toward bass and panfish as water warms. White perch and crappies are also showing up in good numbers at Massachusetts sites, with Sullivan noting excellent sport across multiple ponds. USGS gauge 01111500 is running at 78.5 cfs and gauge 01105500 at 20.2 cfs, both reflecting the taper from spring snowmelt into more stable early-May flows. Tactical Bassin notes fish are in multiple phases simultaneously — lingering spawners alongside post-spawn fish pushing to transition zones — making this one of the more varied and productive weeks to be on Central MA freshwater.
Post-Spawn Stripers Working Chesapeake Beaches
Water temperature is reading 53°F at NOAA buoy 44009 as of the morning of May 7, anchoring a solid early-May setup along the Chesapeake corridor. Smith's Bait Shop, reporting via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake, has striped bass above, below, and within the 28–31-inch slot at Collins Beach, Greens Beach, and Woodland Beach — most fish falling to bloodworms or cut bunker. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle (via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake) drew more than 200 anglers to their surf fishing tournament this week, logging impressive striped bass alongside a few tautog caught on sand fleas and green crab near the inlet. OTW Saltwater confirmed on May 5 that big stripers are running the beaches from Maryland north to Long Island, signaling the post-spawn push is underway in earnest. In the tidal creeks and spillways, white perch and catfish remain reliably available on bloodworms and minnows, per Smith's Bait Shop via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake. Summer flounder opened in federal waters late last week, though early results have been mixed.
Striper Migration Peaks as White Perch Fill Patapsco and Tidal Potomac Creeks
The Patapsco River is running at 66.6 cfs (USGS gauge 01589000) as of early May 7 — moderate spring flows that keep lower tidal reaches accessible from bank and boat. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake reports Smith's Bait Shop is fielding catches of striped bass above, below, and within the 28-to-31-inch slot, with bloodworms and cut bunker the consistent baits. White perch are active in tidal creeks and spillways on bloodworms and small minnows, and catfish are holding in those same corridors. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms the post-spawn push is accelerating as large females begin vacating the Chesapeake system. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this report cycle; check conditions on arrival. Overall, early May looks like a solid multi-species window across the tidal Potomac and Patapsco — particularly for white perch, which are reliably biting.
Spring Striper Wave Closing In on Gulf of Maine
NOAA buoy 44007 recorded 44°F water in the outer Gulf of Maine early Thursday morning, with the offshore Jordan Basin buoy (44027) logging 42°F — cold but consistent with early May conditions. The striper migration is unmistakably tracking northward. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, a 35-inch bass was taken from the mouth of the Merrimack River last week — likely a holdover flushing out of the river system — and a follow-up shop report from the same source confirms the 'dam broke' on schoolie and slot-size stripers along the South Shore, with anglers taking fish on clams, paddletails, and small plugs at Pegotty Beach and the North River mouth. On The Water's May 5 migration update places fresh fish now filling in on Cape Cod as post-spawn females snowball the push north. Water temps in the Gulf remain the primary limiter; expect early-arriving fish to stage at tidal river mouths and shallow warm-water pockets in southern Maine over the coming days.
High Kennebec flows push fish to slack water
USGS gauge 01046500 recorded the Kennebec at 5,300 cfs as of early May 7 — elevated spring runoff that will concentrate fish in eddies, tributary mouths, and current seams away from the main-channel push. No water temperature was captured at the gauge this cycle. Regionally, the striper migration picture is brightening: The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME reports fresh migratory bass arriving on the South Shore and 'migrating further north with each passing day,' and On The Water's May 1 migration map confirms the northward snowball as large post-spawn females clear the Chesapeake. That puts first-run fish within plausible reach of the tidal Kennebec and Penobscot mouths within the next seven to ten days. Inland, landlocked salmon, brook trout, and smallmouth bass are the primary freshwater draw; the waning gibbous moon and high flows favor slower presentations in slack water and deeper holding runs.
Louisiana Delta enters late-spring feeding season
NOAA buoy 42001 logged Gulf water at 77°F at 5:30 a.m. this morning — solidly within the prime range for late-spring Louisiana saltwater species. Both Gulf monitoring stations are showing sustained winds around 7 m/s (approximately 15 mph), and buoy 42067 recorded 3.3-foot offshore swells. The waning gibbous moon may suppress some predawn surface feeding, but mid-morning incoming tides should help concentrate bait and larger predators against marsh edges and structure. Direct saltwater-specific angler reports are sparse in this update cycle — no charter, shop, or agency dispatches specifically covering the Louisiana Gulf Coast or Delta appeared in our source feeds this week. Species assessments below are grounded in seasonal temperature benchmarks: 77°F water is historically productive for redfish and speckled trout on the flats and in the marsh, and May is typically the peak month for cobia tracking stingrays along the nearshore Gulf. Anglers should check local sources and recent charter reports before heading out.
Chicot Lake Bass Fire Up as Mississippi Rises
Water temps hitting 69°F on the Mississippi (USGS gauge 07374000) and flows running at 549,000 cfs signal peak spring conditions across Louisiana's freshwater corridor. The most actionable report this week comes from Chicot Lake near Ville Platte, where Louisiana Sportsman notes that angler Brad Romero calls it "game on" for bass as of May 1 — the calendar flip to May has reliably triggered the bite on this inland reservoir. Main-channel conditions on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya remain challenging with elevated flows pushing turbidity high, but that pressure is funneling bass, catfish, and crappie into backwater lakes and oxbow sloughs where conditions stabilize quickly. Tactical Bassin highlights early May as the prime post-spawn transition window, with bass responding to topwater, swimbait, and finesse presentations around shallow cover. The Waning Gibbous moon favors productive dawn and dusk feeding windows through the coming days.
Post-Spawn Bass Transition in Full Swing on the Ohio & Cumberland
USGS gauge 03301500 recorded a flow of 586 cfs in the early hours of May 7 — the only sensor reading available this cycle, with water temperature not logged. No Kentucky-specific shop, charter, or agency reports reached our feeds this week, so local on-water intel is limited. What national sources are covering aligns closely with what anglers on the Ohio and Cumberland should expect right now: Tactical Bassin's early-May analysis describes bass splitting between shallow cover and open water as they transition out of the spawn — a pattern that typically arrives on Kentucky's major river systems in the first two weeks of May. Multiple presentations are producing simultaneously, including topwater, swimbaits, and finesse rigs. Field & Stream's spring fishing roundup reinforces staying mobile and covering both bank-side staging zones and deeper transition areas. Crappie historically peak on both rivers through mid-May; confirm current action with a local tackle shop before launching.
Kansas River Bass: Post-Spawn Transition
USGS gauge 06892350 recorded 64°F water and 7,600 cfs flow early on May 7 — an elevated spring push that is coloring the main channel and compressing fish onto current seams and hard structure. Bass are mid-transition between the spawn and early summer staging, a pattern Tactical Bassin is actively documenting across Midwest river systems right now: some fish still holding in shallow cover, others beginning to push toward transitional-depth zones. Their early-May field reports highlight the Karashi jig, topwater poppers, and swimbaits all producing on the same day — versatility is the key at this stage. Catfish are ramping up as temps crest the mid-60s. The Arkansas River drew Bassmaster Elite Series competition earlier this season, per Wired 2 Fish, underscoring the watershed's bass quality. At current flow, target current breaks and submerged wood; mid-river exposed flats are less productive with water this high.
Rising Iowa River Pushes Fish to Wing Dams, Eddy Seams
USGS gauge 05465500 shows the Iowa River running at 12,800 cfs as of May 7 — elevated flow that is reshaping where fish hold. At this stage, main-channel anglers should target wing dams, eddy seams, and cut banks where current breaks give walleye and catfish a place to feed without fighting the push. Bass are mid-transition: Tactical Bassin reports early-May fish spread across every spawn phase, with lingering spawners in protected coves and post-spawn fish moving to adjacent deeper cover. Fishing the Midwest notes that spinning gear with jig-and-minnow presentations remains the staple approach for Midwest river walleye in current-heavy conditions. No water temperature reading is available at the gauge this week; seasonal norms for central Iowa rivers in early May typically range 58–66°F — warm enough for aggressive feeding if clarity permits. The waning gibbous moon sets up solid low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk.
Wabash Bass Entering Post-Spawn Transition
The USGS gauge on the Wabash River (site 03335500) logged 7,950 CFS in the early hours of May 7 — elevated spring flow that will color the main channel and push fish into slower backwater pockets and eddy seams. No water temperature data accompanied this reading. Tactical Bassin reports that bass across the region are mid-transition from spawn to post-spawn, with fish scattering between shallow cover and open-water edges; their May breakdown highlights topwater poppers, swimbaits, and finesse rigs like the drop-shot as the most versatile options right now. Fishing the Midwest reinforces that spin gear and lighter presentations are gaining ground as bass establish early-summer habits. On the Lake Michigan shoreline, Great Lakes Now highlights growing concern over lake whitefish populations in the lower Great Lakes, underscoring that Indiana's lakeshore fishing continues under ecological pressure. Catfish and walleye on the Wabash River tend to peak through mid-May as water temperatures climb toward optimal feeding ranges.
Illinois River Surges — Post-Spawn Bass Seek Slack-Water Cover
USGS gauge 05586100 recorded the Illinois River at 48,300 cfs as of May 6 — well above seasonal norms and enough current to push fish out of the main channel and into backwater sloughs, flooded timber, and protected creek arms. No water temperature was captured at the gauge; anglers should probe sheltered oxbows where water warms faster. Tactical Bassin notes that early May is a prime post-spawn transition window, with bass scattered from shallow cover to open-water staging zones simultaneously. Finesse approaches — BFS rigs, drop-shot, and skipping swimbaits around flooded timber — are highlighted as reliable when fish are pressure-shy or holding tight in elevated flows. Fishing the Midwest reinforces drop-shot as a go-to Midwest technique when conditions tighten, and notes that spinning-gear live-bait presentations are proving versatile across walleye and bass applications. On Lake Michigan, no charter or shop intel appeared in this week's feeds; typical early-May conditions bring surface temperatures toward the low 50s°F, keeping spring salmonid patterns in play near the major ports. Check local access conditions before launching given current flow levels.
Snake River Chinook Peak Arrives This May
USGS gauge 13340000 clocked 23,200 cfs and 51°F water on the evening of May 6 — elevated spring runoff conditions typical of snowmelt season along the Snake and Salmon drainages. At 51°F, water temps sit squarely in the thermal sweet spot for migrating spring Chinook and active trout. No Idaho-specific shop or charter reports surfaced in this reporting cycle, so local bite detail is limited; the picture below leans on gauge data and seasonal pattern. Caddis emergences are firing across the broader Pacific Northwest corridor — Hatch Magazine's recent coverage of caddis hatches underscores their relevance when river temps climb past 50°F, and the Caddis Fly (OR) late-April report confirmed flows stabilizing and insects hatching in adjacent drainages. Expect fish holding in back eddies, tailouts, and slack bankside seams to avoid the main push of high water. Dress in layers; mornings are cold.
Hawaiian Waters: Blue-Water Pelagic Season Builds Offshore
NOAA buoys 51001, 51002, and 51004 are reading 75–79°F as of the morning of May 7 — well within the preferred thermal band for Hawaii's blue-water pelagics. Wave heights are running 5.6–6.2 ft at the offshore stations, pointing to active trade-wind swell typical of early May. No charter or shop reports from Hawaiian waters are in today's intel feeds, so specific bite conditions are not attributable to a named source this cycle. That said, sea-surface temperatures at these levels are historically consistent with mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and early-season marlin activity along current lines and channel edges. Sport Fishing Mag notes that when tuna push to the surface, pitching a topwater popper into the melee "often leads to an easy hookup" — a technique worth keeping rigged on a dedicated rod. A waning gibbous moon typically shifts peak feeding windows toward first light and the last hour before dark.
Expanded Red Snapper Seasons Headline Georgia Offshore in 2026
The biggest saltwater development for Georgia coast anglers this spring comes from both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag: federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) have unlocked significantly extended 2026 red snapper seasons for South Atlantic states including Georgia — a pilot program designed to sharpen recreational catch data that could set the stage for permanent season expansions. NOAA buoy 41008 recorded sustained winds of 8 meters per second (roughly 15–16 knots) and an air temperature of 74°F as of 5:00 AM on May 7, indicating workable offshore conditions. Water temperature was not available from the buoy this reading cycle, but early May on the Georgia coast typically sees nearshore waters approaching the low-to-mid 70s°F. The current waning gibbous moon is sustaining strong tidal movement, which favors redfish pushing into marsh grass edges and oyster bars on incoming tides. Anglers should verify current EFP season windows and bag limits with state and federal regulators before heading offshore — the pilot framework differs from prior federal season structures.
Savannah Crappie Hit Prime Spawn-Stage Fishing
Georgia Wildlife Blog's recent reports confirm crappie are in prime form across Georgia's freshwater systems, with fish holding in 3–8 feet around brush piles, fallen timber, docks, and aquatic vegetation — textbook spawning-phase staging habitat. Small jigs and live minnows fished during early-morning and late-afternoon windows are the standout producers. The Savannah River at USGS gauge 02197000 is running at a moderate 4,500 cfs as of May 7, keeping fish positioned along current seams and slower inside bends; no water temperature reading is available from the gauge. Bass are moving through the post-spawn transition — Tactical Bassin notes that early May is one of the most predictable stretches of the year, with fish dividing between shallow cover and open-water edges and responding to topwater, swimbaits, and finesse presentations. South Georgia travelers should note active wildfire conditions flagged by Georgia Wildlife Blog in late April; check DNR advisories before planning any backcountry access.
Post-Spawn Bass Bite Heats Up on St. Johns
With the St. Johns River reporting 132 cfs at USGS gauge 02232000 as of early May 7, both Okeechobee and the St. Johns system are in the heart of the post-spawn largemouth transition — historically one of Florida's most reliable freshwater windows. Tactical Bassin's early-May breakdown documents bass now splitting between shallow cover and open water as spawn recovery winds down, with topwater, finesse, and swimbait patterns all logging bites simultaneously. Morning flat edges and grass-line perimeters are the priority zones; the Karashi-style finesse bite excels on pressured fish mid-day, and swimbaits skipped around woody structure have also been productive, per Tactical Bassin. Field & Stream points to the buzzbait as a durable shallow-cover option worth keeping rigged through early morning. Water temperature is not currently reporting at the gauge. Crappie and bluegill remain seasonally predictable bites through May on both systems, though no region-specific reports are in this week's feed. The waning gibbous moon favors pre-dawn and evening feeding windows.