Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Gulf hits 78°F as cobia migration peaks along Louisiana's nearshore corridor
NOAA buoy 42001 recorded 78°F water temps in the central Gulf this morning — squarely in the zone that drives late-spring feeding activity along the Louisiana coast. Waves are running 2 feet at buoy 42001 and 1.6 feet at buoy 42067, making for manageable conditions for both inshore and nearshore runs. Cobia are the headline story: May is historically their peak migratory push through Louisiana nearshore waters, though no area-specific charter reports have surfaced this cycle. Redfish and speckled trout remain the reliable inshore anchors — typical for this time of year with water this warm. Coastal Angler Magazine advises shifting trips to late afternoon and evening as midday air temps climb into the 90s, a tactic worth adopting across the Louisiana coast. Salt Strong's Gulf Coast redfish coverage is a useful reminder of just how dense those late-spring schools can get in the marsh corridors this month.
Hawaiian Waters at 76–79°F: Offshore Pelagic Season in Full Swing
NOAA buoys 51001, 51002, and 51004 logged water temperatures of 76–79°F across Hawaiian offshore waters early on May 6, with buoys 51002 and 51004 showing wave heights of 6.6 and 5.6 feet and tradewinds running 5–7 m/s — solid early-May conditions for offshore pelagic action. No Hawaii-specific charter, shop, or agency reports appeared in this cycle's angler-intel feeds, so the species outlook below is grounded in seasonal baseline rather than direct on-water testimony. That said, 76–79°F surface temps are well within range for blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi in Hawaiian waters. Saltwater Sportsman highlights pitch-baiting as a high-percentage technique for billfish on trolling spreads — a method that translates directly to Hawaii's offshore ledges. Moderate swell in the 5–7-foot range warrants a weather check before departure; sheltered leeward launches will be preferable on rougher days.
Red Snapper Seasons Expand as Light Seas Favor Georgia Offshore Runs
Expanded red snapper access headlines the Georgia Atlantic Coast outlook for early May 2026. Both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) will extend South Atlantic red snapper seasons this summer, giving Georgia anglers access that has been historically limited. NOAA buoy 41008 recorded 2.3-ft seas and light 4 m/s winds at 5:50 AM on May 6 — cooperative conditions for offshore trips when combined with a favorable local forecast. Air temperature checked in at a comfortable 72°F; water temperature was not logged in this reading, which limits precise species-transition timing. Inshore, the Georgia Wildlife Blog's spring coverage has leaned freshwater, but May is historically the peak of cobia migration along Georgia's barrier island coast, and speckled trout typically push into tidal marsh edges as water temperatures climb through the mid-60s. A waning gibbous moon this week drives strong tidal movement worth building your schedule around.
St. Johns at 96.9 cfs as Post-Spawn Bass Transition Takes Hold
The USGS gauge on the St. Johns River (site 02232000) logged 96.9 cfs as of early May 6 — a modest flow for this sprawling blackwater system, signaling that fish are condensing along deeper channel edges and grass-flat transitions rather than spread across flooded shallows. No temperature reading was returned from the gauge this cycle, and no direct on-the-water reports specific to Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns corridor appeared in this edition's angler-intel feeds, so conditions testimony is thin. What the calendar does confirm: early May marks the post-spawn transition for largemouth bass across central Florida, with fish typically relocating off spawning flats onto adjacent grass edges, shell bars, and dock structure. MidCurrent reports that a February settlement clarified the scope of a proposed rock mine in Florida's Everglades Agricultural Area — Army Corps review remains pending — a reminder that water management pressures continue to shadow the broader Lake Okeechobee watershed. Verify current bite conditions locally before launching.
FL Atlantic Snapper Seasons Expand as Light Winds Favor Offshore Runs
Red snapper fishing off Florida's Atlantic coast is set for a banner year. Per Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag, federal approval of exempted fishing permits (EFPs) has unlocked greatly expanded 2026 recreational seasons across South Atlantic states, with Florida's Atlantic segment expected to run in two distinct windows this summer. NOAA buoys 41009 and 41008 recorded light winds—5 and 4 m/s respectively—and air temperatures between 72°F and 77°F as of early May 6, pointing to comfortable offshore conditions. No surface water temperatures were captured at either station, so anglers should consult local resources before planning deep drops. Inshore, Salt Strong spotlights snook as a prime target right now, with 40-plus-inch fish a realistic goal around structure using live bait. Cobia are a predictable spring presence along the Atlantic coast this time of year, and redfish schools remain active. The waning gibbous moon favors early-morning feeding windows across the board.
Charlotte Harbor flats shine as Gulf Coast water temps reach 74–76°F
Water temps of 74–76°F logged across Gulf Coast NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 on the morning of May 6 signal the full arrival of prime inshore season. Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Florida's Forgotten Coast highlights speckled trout over 20 inches coming consistently to anglers working artificials along undeveloped marshy shoreline — conditions that match the current thermal range precisely. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor," pointing to Boca Grande Pass and the surrounding flats as the region's focal point right now. Snook and redfish should be capitalizing on warm, calm flats through mid-month. Offshore, angler chatter out of Pensacola on May 4 noted blue water close in near offshore structure with amberjack and smaller snappers in the mix, though the same crew reported a generally slow overall bite. Saltwater Sportsman reports that federally approved 2026 expanded red snapper seasons are now in effect via pilot programs — verify exact dates and limits with current state and federal regulations before targeting them.
Stripers Stacking in Western LIS at 51°F — Rough Seas Keep It Nearshore
Water temperatures registered 51°F at NOAA buoy 44025 this morning, and the striper migration is tracking right alongside those numbers. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported April 30 that western Long Island Sound — the Connecticut doorstep — already holds bass to 30 pounds, while fish from 25 to 40 inches are crashing bays and river mouths throughout southern New England. The Long Island forecast from The Fisherman (Northeast) confirms schoolies and slot-size bass are now consistent, with bunker schools pinning fish in place; anglers are scoring on plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh-chunk presentations timed to tide changes. On The Water's May 1 migration map notes the run "snowballs" once large post-spawn females clear the Chesapeake — a wave that tends to lift southern New England numbers fast. Tautog fishing in Connecticut appears to have wrapped up for the spring season per The Fisherman (Northeast). An 8.9-foot wave height logged at buoy 44025 makes this a nearshore game this week.
Central Coast Water at 56–59°F as Spring Upwelling Window Opens
NOAA buoy 46042 recorded 59°F water temps at 05:30 UTC this morning, with companion readings of 59°F at buoy 46028 and 56°F at buoy 46026 — a tight thermal band that sits squarely in the late-spring Central Coast upwelling zone. Northwest winds are building, with buoy 46028 reporting 8 m/s (~18 mph) offshore, signaling the classic afternoon deterioration pattern that defines this coast in May. No California Central Coast-specific angler intel appeared in this reporting cycle's feeds, so species conditions below are grounded in buoy data and seasonal patterns rather than direct captain or shop reports. What we can say: these water temps are prime for nearshore rockfish and lingcod over structure, Pacific halibut are typically staging on the adjacent sand flats through May, and a waning gibbous moon will keep tidal flows consistent through mid-week. Check state regulations before targeting salmon.
Gulf of Alaska Buoys Log 40–42°F as Spring Halibut Season Kicks Into Gear
NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 recorded Gulf of Alaska surface temps between 40 and 42°F this morning — buoy 46080 the warmest at 42°F — with winds running 4 to 8 m/s and air temperatures near 41°F at the outer stations. Wave height data was unavailable across all three stations. This week's national angler-intel feeds did not include Gulf of Alaska-specific charter, shop, or agency reports, so this update draws on environmental readings and well-established early-May seasonal patterns for the region rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. Water in the low 40s is squarely on pace for the Gulf of Alaska at this time of year: Pacific halibut charters are typically running to deeper structure in the 100–300-foot range, Chinook salmon are staging nearshore ahead of summer runs, and lingcod action generally picks up as temps cross the 40°F threshold. Check current Alaska regulations before heading offshore.
Mobile Bay & Gulf Waters at 73°F: Late-Spring Cobia Window Opens
NOAA buoy 42012 logged water temperatures at 73°F early this morning, placing Mobile Bay and the northern Gulf solidly in peak late-spring fishing territory. These readings align with the window when cobia historically concentrate along the bay's shipping channel and nearshore structure — one of the most anticipated bites on the Alabama coast. Coastal Angler Magazine recently highlighted Mobile Bay's rare ecological status as one of only two places on Earth where Jubilees occur, a reminder of the bay's unique oxygen and thermal dynamics that can concentrate fish near the surface and along shoreline structure. Winds were manageable across both buoy stations — 5 m/s at buoy 42012 and 8 m/s at buoy 42040 — keeping conditions reasonable for bay and nearshore runs. The waning gibbous moon is generating solid tidal movement, which typically pushes baitfish and predators onto channel edges and grass flat transitions during the early morning hours. Anglers targeting the morning tide push should find windows worth fishing before midday heat sets in.
Current River at 1,970 cfs: Ozark Trout Holding in Eddies and Seams
USGS gauge 07067000 placed the Current River at 1,970 cfs on the afternoon of May 5 — a moderately elevated late-spring reading that pushes trout off the main channel and into eddies, protected seams, and slack inside bends. No water temperature was available from this gauge; historically, early-May Ozark flows sit in the mid-to-upper 50s°F, a productive band for both rainbow and brown trout. Missouri-specific shop or charter intel is absent from this cycle's feeds, so bite conditions are assessed from flow stage and seasonal pattern. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights nymph patterns built for higher-contrast, off-color water — exactly the profile a slightly elevated Ozark stream presents this week. Hatch Magazine separately notes that spring caddis activity is one of the more reliable triggers for trout on moving water, and those emergences are worth watching at dusk. At this flow stage, weighted nymphs and streamers fished in protected lies will outperform surface presentations.
Smokies Trout Prime at 62°F With Caddis Hatches Firing
Water temperature at 62°F (USGS gauge 03512000, evening May 5) places Western NC streams squarely in the prime trout feeding range. At this reading, rainbow and brown trout shift into aggressive feeding mode, and the timing aligns with the region's peak late-spring hatch window. Hatch Magazine's current editorial on caddis emergences reinforces what trout anglers across the Southern Appalachians are experiencing this week: afternoon caddis activity is picking up, rewarding those who match emerging naturals with elk-hair caddis or soft-hackle wets fished in the surface film. Flow on gauge 03512000 sits at a moderate 215 cfs — a wadeable level that keeps prime holding lies, pocket water, and riffles accessible without the blown-out conditions early runoff can produce. MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday features note that nymph and midge patterns designed for clear, pressured water continue to shine in technical runs, a useful reminder that sub-surface rigs remain productive on high-traffic pools. The waning gibbous moon favors low-light dawn and dusk windows for the most consistent topwater action.
NC Red Snapper Access Expands as Pamlico Sound Enters Prime Spring Window
Saltwater Sportsman reports that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) are delivering significantly extended red snapper seasons across the South Atlantic in 2026, with North Carolina explicitly included — a meaningful development for Cape Lookout offshore anglers who typically face narrow access windows. NOAA buoy 41037 recorded an air temperature of 73°F and sustained winds near 14 knots on the evening of May 5, though no water temperature reading was available in today's feed. Inshore across Pamlico Sound, this is the transitional stretch when warming shallows typically draw speckled trout and red drum onto grass flat edges and creek mouths. Sport Fishing Mag separately notes large black drum pushing into mid-Atlantic coastal systems through April and May — a migration arc that historically touches Pamlico tributaries and inlet structure. No local charter or tackle shop reports are in today's feed; verify current bite conditions directly before launching.
Black Drum Push VA Barrier Islands as Buoy 44014 Logs 53°F Water
Water temperature at NOAA buoy 44014 is holding at 53°F as of May 5, and that reading lines up squarely with one of the Eastern Shore's best spring bites. Sport Fishing Mag reports that giant black drum are actively transitioning from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay along Virginia's barrier islands right now, gorging on crabs, clams, and mussels — and the magazine describes these fish as "utter goliaths," with the barrier island corridor running through the Chincoteague area seeing consistent spring movement through late May. Separately, On The Water's May 1 striper migration map notes the post-spawn push is snowballing as large females exit the Chesapeake, sending migrating bass along the inshore Atlantic face. At 53°F, water temps are warm enough to keep stripers actively moving and flounder beginning their transition into nearshore shallows, while cool enough that early-morning sessions can produce extended bites. Check current Virginia state regulations for season dates and size limits before targeting any species.
Panhandle Gulf temps reach 76°F — cobia and mackerel in full spring stride
NOAA buoy 42039 clocked Gulf surface temperatures at 76°F on May 5, with buoy 42012 registering 73°F farther west — a bracket that puts the Panhandle squarely in prime spring fishing territory. Sport Fishing Mag's recent feature on Florida's Gulf coast highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches taken consistently on artificials over undeveloped grass-flat shorelines, a pattern historically shared by Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay. Light winds of 4–5 m/s at both buoy stations have kept sea conditions manageable this week. Offshore, the Gulf federal red snapper season is approaching — anglers should verify exact opening dates through NOAA Fisheries before targeting snapper, as Gulf season windows shift annually and are entirely separate from any Atlantic-coast regulatory news. Inshore and nearshore, early May typically marks the peak of cobia migration along Panhandle beaches and nearshore reef structure, alongside active Spanish mackerel schools in 15–30 feet. The waning gibbous moon should favor dawn and dusk bite windows through mid-week.
Tampa Bay & Sarasota flats at 75–77°F as May's prime inshore window opens
Water temps logged at 75°F and 77°F at NOAA buoy 42036 and buoy 42013 respectively confirm the greater Tampa Bay and Sarasota corridor is fully into its early-summer groove. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish" Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass — the storied pass that anchors one of the world's most prolific tarpon migrations. Light winds at 3–4 m/s are keeping boat rides comfortable, and the waning gibbous moon is still generating meaningful tidal energy to fire up the passes and grass-flat edges. Sport Fishing Mag highlights speckled trout on artificials as a consistent producer across Florida's Gulf Coast flats at this time of year. With water temps in the mid-to-upper 70s, snook and redfish are also moving onto nearshore structure and shallow grass. Anglers who time their casts around the passes at tide change stand to hit peak action over the next several days.
Keys Flats at 78°F: Peak Tarpon Window Opens With Expanded Snapper Season
Water at 78°F per NOAA buoy 41114 puts the Florida Keys squarely in prime early-May territory for both flats and offshore fishing. The standout regulatory news this season: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) have unlocked greatly expanded red snapper access for Florida's Atlantic waters in 2026 — Anglers Journal reports a proposed 39-day recreational season split across two segments. On the flats, 78°F water is textbook temperature for tarpon pushing across channels and shallow grass beds, with permit and bonefish also fitting the seasonal profile; no live charter reports are in hand this cycle, so we're anchoring those assessments to the buoy data and typical May patterns. Seas running around 2.3 feet per buoy 41114 are manageable for day runs to offshore structure. The waning gibbous moon supports meaningful tidal movement over the next several days, favoring low-light flats windows at dawn and dusk.
Lower Laguna Madre Flats at 77°F as Offshore Winds Drop to 12 Knots
Water temperatures are running 76–77°F across the Lower Laguna Madre area, per NOAA buoy 42043's May 5 reading of 76°F and buoy 42020's 77°F recorded May 2. A rough-weather window earlier this week pushed offshore Gulf waves to 11.5 feet at buoy 42020 with sustained winds near 23 knots — conditions that would have stirred up the South Padre Island passes and made longer flats runs uncomfortable — but by today buoy 42043 shows winds down to roughly 12 knots, signaling a meaningfully calmer window heading into the weekend. No local charter, shop, or agency intel for Lower Laguna Madre is available in this reporting cycle; species assessments below reflect seasonal patterns and buoy temperature data only. At these water temps the shallow, hypersaline grass flats are well within the productive range for spotted seatrout and redfish. The waning gibbous moon offers strong pre-dawn feeding windows. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that as Gulf Coast days heat toward summer levels, a late-afternoon-to-dark shift often outproduces midday hours on flats fisheries like this one.
57°F Bay Water Primes Spring Salmon and Striper Windows, Bodega to SF
NOAA buoy 46026 recorded 57°F sea-surface temperature off San Francisco on the evening of May 5, paired with light 4 m/s winds — a welcoming combination for bay and nearshore saltwater runs. Buoy 46013 in the Bodega corridor confirmed similarly relaxed winds and a mild air temp of 13.1°C (about 56°F). No targeted regional intel from NorCal captains or local shops surfaced in this week's feed sweep, so buoy data and seasonal patterns anchor this update. Upper-50s water is squarely in the range where spring chinook salmon stage along the coastal shelf and striped bass push actively through the bay following baitfish. May is historically one of the most productive months for bay halibut on sandy shallows, and nearshore rockfish remain reliably accessible on structure throughout the region. Anglers should verify current salmon season status directly with fisheries managers before departure — this coast is subject to in-season adjustments that can shift on short notice.
Channel Islands Water at 60–63°F as Spring Species Push Begins
NOAA buoy 46221 logged 63°F in the inner LA Bight on May 5, while buoy 46025 recorded 60°F further offshore — a 3-degree gradient that typically signals the start of the productive spring window for Southern California saltwater anglers. Swell is running at a manageable 3 feet with offshore winds near 15 mph, offering workable boating conditions heading into the week. The waning gibbous moon is driving strong overnight tidal movement, which tends to concentrate bait along kelp edges and sandy flats during the pre-dawn hours. It's worth noting that this cycle's national angler-intel feeds carried no Southern California-specific charter or shop reports, so the conditions picture below draws primarily from buoy data and patterns typical for the LA Bight and Channel Islands in early May. With water temps crossing the 60°F threshold, yellowtail are beginning their seasonal push toward the Northern Channel Islands, white seabass are approaching their spring spawning peak, and calico bass are typically in full swing along kelp bed structure.
PA Limestone Trout at 101 cfs: Caddis Season Opens on Spring & Penns Creek
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 101 cfs on the Bald Eagle Creek drainage near Milesburg on the evening of May 5 — a moderate, fishable reading for the limestone spring-creek corridor that includes Spring Creek and Penns Creek. No water temperature was available from the gauge, but limestone-fed streams in Centre County maintain remarkably stable temperatures year-round, typically holding in the low-to-mid 50s°F range during early May. This is the pre-Sulphur window when caddis activity drives the most consistent surface action. Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergence timing is foundational to trout angling success, and Hydropsyche and Brachycentrus species typically begin their late-afternoon swings on these waters right around now. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights a spare midge-style pattern designed to "excel in the clear, pressured water" of technical fisheries like these — alongside streamer options for rocky-bottom prospecting between hatches. Waning gibbous moon conditions generally favor dawn and dusk dry-fly windows.
Spring Chinook Moving Along WA Coast; 4-5 ft Swell, Light Winds
NOAA buoys 46041 and 46087 recorded wave heights of 4.6 and 4.3 feet respectively at 22:50Z on May 5, with light winds of 2–3 m/s and air temperatures near 52–54°F — a relatively benign offshore window despite the swell. No water temperature readings are available from either station; early-May surface temps along the Washington coast and in Puget Sound typically run in the low-to-mid 50s°F. Regional Washington-specific angler intel is sparse in this reporting cycle. The most applicable Pacific Northwest signal comes from Saltwater Sportsman, which covers spring chinook and coho pursuit at Buoy 10 on the Columbia River mouth — a strong indicator that spring salmon are actively migrating through Pacific coastal waters. In Puget Sound, early May typically marks the heart of spring chinook season, while Pacific halibut and lingcod round out the saltwater calendar for anglers willing to work offshore structure and reefs.
Columbia Basin at 60°F — Spring Chinook Window Open, Bass on the Move
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 60°F water and 1,590 cfs flow on the afternoon of May 5 — a meaningful benchmark for Columbia basin anglers. At 60°F, spring Chinook transition from cold-lethargic holding to active feeding behavior, placing us at the front edge of the spring run's prime window on the Columbia. Our current intel feeds carried no Washington-specific on-the-water reports this cycle; the assessment below relies on gauge readings and early-May patterns typical for the Pacific Northwest drainage. The waning gibbous moon phase tends to suppress nocturnal surface activity, shifting the best feeding windows toward dawn and midday. Field & Stream's early-season guide recommends targeting deeper seams and slowing presentations when fish are still in cold-transition mode — advice applicable to both salmon and bass anglers heading out this week. Verify current state regulations before targeting any salmonid species.
Green River at 8,990 cfs and 43°F: Snowmelt Surge Defines Early May
USGS gauge 09234500 clocked the Green River near Jensen at 8,990 cfs and 43°F on the afternoon of May 5 — strong snowmelt flows that push the river well above its tailwater baseline. At those temperatures, trout remain metabolically active and will feed, but the high, fast current demands presentations that get to depth quickly: weighted nymph rigs fished tight to current seams and undercut banks are the practical approach. MidCurrent's mid-week tying content highlighted midge and nymph patterns built for "clear, pressured water" tailraces — a technique framework that translates directly to cold tailwater conditions. The regional angler-intel feeds this week carried no reports specific to the Green River trophy sections or the Uinta Basin lakes, leaving the gauge as our clearest signal. Uinta high-country lakes are likely still at or near ice-off at elevation, with forest road access a limiting factor for most destinations before Memorial Day.