Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Gulf at 77°F as Seas Settle: Texas Inshore Spring Window Opens
NOAA buoy 42020 recorded 77°F water temperatures alongside 11.5-foot seas on May 2, marking a rough stretch for offshore and coastal anglers along the Texas Gulf Coast. By May 5, NOAA buoy 42035 showed the same 77°F reading with winds easing to around 6 meters per second, signaling conditions are settling into a more workable window. No regional charter or tackle-shop dispatches surfaced in this update for the Galveston-to-Corpus stretch, so species outlooks here are grounded in established seasonal patterns for the upper and mid-Texas coast. At 77°F in early May, inshore bays typically produce active speckled trout on grass flats, while red drum move onto shallow structure and cobia patrol nearshore rigs along their annual spring migration. Anglers planning weekend trips should verify local conditions before heading out, as swell recovery from the mid-week blow may still affect nearshore access.
80°F Gauge Reading Signals Post-Spawn Shift on Texas Lakes & Rivers
USGS gauge 08211200 recorded 80°F water and 31.6 cfs flow as of May 5 — a clear marker that Texas lakes and rivers are deep into late-spring warming. At 80°F, largemouth bass have largely cycled through spawning and are beginning the post-spawn scatter, pulling away from the shallows toward secondary points, submerged timber, and channel edges. No Texas-specific charter or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this week's feeds, so the bite picture below leans on seasonal norms calibrated to gauge conditions. The waning gibbous moon favors extended twilight and nighttime feeding windows — a genuine advantage for anglers targeting blue and channel catfish along deeper cuts after dark. White bass, typically post-run by early May in central Texas, should be regrouping on main-lake structure. Crappie are transitioning off shallow spawning brush toward mid-depth cover. Field & Stream's "Spring Fever" early-season breakdown underscores focusing on depth transitions once surface temps clear 75°F — precisely where we are now.
Water Hits 76°F at Charleston Harbor as Red Drum Push Strengthens
NOAA buoy 41004 logged 76°F water at Charleston Harbor on May 5, pushing this estuary squarely into peak late-spring territory. Across the Carolinas coast, red drum are making a notable push — Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater reports strong drum activity along coastal beaches, and those fish are well within range of low-country inlets and grass flats. Sheepshead remain a reliable structure bite around dock pilings and jetty rocks; Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater flagged new temporary sheepshead harvest regulations in the region this week, a reminder to verify current South Carolina regs before keeping fish. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman reports that federally approved EFPs are expanding red snapper seasons across South Carolina and other South Atlantic states for 2026, opening an extended summer window for anglers willing to run the distance. Winds were light at roughly 11 mph per buoy 41004 readings, keeping conditions manageable for both harbor and nearshore runs.
Spring Chinook Firing at Buoy 10 as Oregon Coastal Temps Hold 54–56°F
Water temps along the Oregon Coast are reading 54–56°F across NOAA buoys 46002 and 46029, and those cool, productive waters are holding spring Chinook salmon near the Columbia River mouth. Saltwater Sportsman spotlights active salmon action at Buoy 10, with Capt. Hugh Harris describing an armada of river sleds converging on the fishery out of Astoria and Warrenton — both chinook and coho are in the mix. The confluence of cold coastal upwelling with the Columbia's outflow creates a classic holding zone for pre-spawn fish staging ahead of their river push. Winds are light inshore — 2 m/s at buoy 46029 and a calm 1 m/s at buoy 46050 — though offshore buoy 46002 is running a briskier 7 m/s, worth monitoring before any offshore run. No wave height data is currently available from the buoys. With a Waning Gibbous moon providing moderate tidal exchange, current seams near the river mouth and jetty edges are the priority windows.
Red Drum Surging onto OBX Beaches as Water Temps Hit 74°F
Water temps have reached 74°F off the Outer Banks (NOAA buoy 41025, May 5), and the red drum bite is delivering. Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports that surf action has come alive along the Hatteras/Ocracoke stretch, with red drum making a strong push onto the beaches and anglers finding good numbers. The waning gibbous moon and 2–3 ft seas (NOAA buoys 41025 and 41013) make for workable surf conditions. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater also notes good-sized bluefish running off the Cape Lookout shoals area and Atlantic bonito firing strongly nearshore further south near Wrightsville Beach — species that often follow warming water temperatures up the OBX coast. Additionally, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has adopted a temporary sheepshead harvest rule, per Fisherman's Post — check current regulations before targeting the species.
59°F Water and Active DEC Stockings Set Up Hudson Valley Trout Bite
Water at USGS gauge 01357500 is reading 59°F on the upper drainage — right in the prime zone for recently stocked trout. NY DEC The Fishing Line (April 24th issue) confirms hatchery crews are actively transporting and stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout across the state, making stocked streams and ponds in the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes region the obvious first stop this week. The statewide coolwater sportfish season also opened May 1, per NY DEC, unlocking walleye, northern pike, and other coolwater species after a winter hiatus. On the lower Hudson, the striper picture is building: On The Water's May 1 migration map reports the post-spawn push of large female striped bass moving north out of the Chesapeake, and the tidal Hudson is a proven waypoint on that corridor. Flow at USGS gauge 01358000 is running 7,700 cfs — elevated but fishable from shore at many access points. A waning gibbous moon supports active feeding through the early-morning window.
Rio Grande at 96 cfs: Low, Clear Water Opens Early NM Trout Window
USGS gauge 08330000 put the Rio Grande at 96.1 cfs on the afternoon of May 5 — a low, clear reading for early-snowmelt season that opens a better-than-average wading window on the upper river. No NM-specific shop or guide reports reached our feeds this week, so conditions are being drawn from gauge data and seasonal context. On the San Juan below Navajo Dam, dam-controlled flows run independent of Rio Grande snowmelt; May is historically the tailwater's prime dry-fly-and-nymph window. MidCurrent's current tying content highlights midge patterns built specifically for "clear, pressured tailrace water" — language that fits the San Juan precisely. Hatch Magazine's ongoing caddis-emergence coverage points to late-afternoon caddis activity as the hatch to target through mid-May. Check current New Mexico slot limits and catch-and-release designations before fishing either system — special regulations apply on the San Juan's quality water sections below the dam.
MS Sound: 74°F Air and Moderate Breeze Ahead of Prime Spring Trout Season
NOAA buoy 42067 recorded an air temperature of 74°F and winds near 12 knots over the Mississippi Sound on the evening of May 5, offering comfortable conditions with manageable chop. Water temperature data was unavailable from this buoy cycle, limiting our ability to pinpoint the bite precisely. Regional coverage from Sport Fishing Mag highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches responding to artificials on Gulf nearshore grass-flat structure to the east, suggesting the broader spring coastal pattern is building across the region. Specific on-the-water reports for the Sound itself are sparse this cycle; MS DMR activity this week centered entirely on coastal permitting and wetland development applications rather than fish-count updates. Based on seasonal norms, early May typically ushers in some of the year's most productive inshore action across the Mississippi Sound — speckled trout and redfish spreading across shallow grass flats, and Spanish mackerel beginning to push through open water. The waning gibbous moon is transitioning toward new-moon phase over the next week, which historically aligns with stronger tidal movement and active inshore feeding windows.
Stripers Push to the Canal as Cape Cod Bay Waters Hit 52°F
NOAA buoy 44020 is reading 52°F off Nantucket Sound this evening, right in the sweet spot that historically kicks Cape Cod Bay's striper run into gear. The timing aligns with what The Fisherman (Northeast) reported April 30: a surge of stripers — 25 to 40 inches, with larger fish in the mix — coursing from Narragansett Bay into the bays and up toward the Canal. As of The Fisherman's April 23 update, Buzzards Bay had already been upgraded from schoolies to mid-30-inch class fish, and that front continues moving northeast. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms the post-spawn push out of the Chesapeake is building steam. Tautog are also in their spring stride per The Fisherman (Northeast), providing a solid secondary option on shallow structure. Winds are running 9–10 m/s (roughly 18–19 knots) at both buoy stations, so pick your windows carefully on the open bay.
Gulf Hits 78°F as Louisiana Coastal Trout and Redfish Season Peaks
Water temperature at NOAA buoy 42001 measured 78°F on the evening of May 5, placing the central Gulf firmly in its late-spring warmth window and setting up prime conditions for Louisiana's coastal marsh flats and delta passes. Light winds of 5–6 m/s across both buoy stations (42001 and 42067) point to manageable nearshore seas heading into the week. Louisiana-specific angler reports are absent from this cycle's feeds, but Sport Fishing Mag's current Forgotten Coast guide — covering Florida's structurally similar coastal marsh-and-shoreline habitat — reports speckled trout exceeding 20 inches responding to artificials along undeveloped shorelines, a pattern that closely mirrors Louisiana marsh conditions at comparable water temperatures. Coastal Angler Magazine's latest issue flags the seasonal shift toward late-afternoon and after-dark trips as summer heat begins compressing midday feeding windows. Redfish remain a reliable staple on these flats through May, though no direct charter or shop intel is in hand this week to confirm specific bite timing.
Hawaiian Waters at 76–79°F as May Pelagic Season Builds Offshore
Buoy readings across the Hawaiian Islands chain logged water temperatures of 76–79°F on May 5 (NOAA buoys 51001, 51002, and 51004), with light-to-moderate trade winds at 3–7 m/s — conditions aligned with the ramp-up of peak pelagic season. No Hawaii-specific charter, shop, or agency reports came through in this cycle's feed, so angler intel is sparse; this update draws on observed oceanographic data and seasonal norms. That said, surface temps in this range reliably concentrate blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahi-mahi, and wahoo (ono) on offshore ledges and current edges. Saltwater Sportsman this week highlighted pitch-baiting on billfish teasers as a high-percentage tactic when pelagics push into the spread — keep a mono-rigged rod ready and toss the moment a fish shows. Inshore anglers working ulua and papio should key on structure through first light, using the overnight feeding push of the waning-gibbous moon to their advantage.
Red Snapper EFPs Open Longer Georgia Offshore Seasons for 2026
The headline news for Georgia's Atlantic coast this week comes straight from Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag: federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) will open significantly expanded red snapper seasons for South Atlantic recreational anglers — including Georgia — this summer. These pilot programs are designed to refine recreational data collection, echoing the process that transformed Gulf red snapper management. NOAA Buoy 41008 logged winds of 6 m/s (~13 mph) and an air temperature of 72°F on May 5, with no water temperature reading available from the buoy. Conditions appear comfortable for offshore runs when seas allow. Inshore, the Georgia Wildlife Blog flags ongoing wildfire activity in South Georgia — anglers planning trips to that area should use extra caution and monitor local conditions. Spanish mackerel, flounder, and redfish are typical early-May coastal targets for this region, though no Georgia-specific inshore bite reports were available this week to confirm current activity levels.
St. Johns Gauge at 145 cfs: Florida Freshwater Eyes Post-Spawn Transition
USGS gauge 02232000 on the St. Johns River recorded a flow of 145 cfs as of May 5, pointing to low, stable conditions across the river system heading into the late-spring transition. No specific Okeechobee or St. Johns angler reports surfaced in this week's feeds, so conditions below reflect seasonal baselines for these waters. Largemouth bass on both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns are typically moving through post-spawn recovery at this point in early May — fish are off beds and beginning to scatter toward hydrilla mats, emergent grass edges, and shaded structure. Crappie (specks) are generally wrapping up their spawn and retreating toward deeper creek mouths. Bluegill, however, are entering peak pre-spawn and spawn activity, making shallow shoreline edges particularly productive for panfish. MidCurrent recently covered ongoing water-quality battles tied to an Everglades rock mine settlement — a reminder that long-term habitat pressures remain a constant backdrop to fishing in South Florida.
FL Atlantic Red Snapper Season Expands Significantly for 2026
Expanded red snapper seasons are the headline off Florida's Atlantic coast this May. Both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag report that federally approved exempted fishing permits have unlocked a 39-day recreational red snapper season for South Atlantic states, Florida included, across two summer segments — a major development for offshore bottom anglers. NOAA buoy 41009 off Cape Canaveral shows light winds at 4 m/s with air temps of 76°F; buoy 41008 reads 6 m/s with air at 72°F — light-to-moderate conditions that typically allow comfortable offshore runs. Water temp readings are unavailable from either buoy. Beyond snapper, mid-May on the FL Atlantic coast typically brings mahi-mahi to the Gulf Stream edge, Spanish mackerel to nearshore structure, and cobia around reefs and buoys — though no charter or shop reports this cycle confirm their current bite. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that fishing the late-afternoon and evening hours is increasingly productive as summer heat builds.
Gulf temps hit 75–76°F; speckled trout over 20 inches on FL's Forgotten Coast
Water temperatures along Florida's Gulf Coast are holding at 75–76°F, confirmed by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 as of Tuesday evening — conditions putting inshore targets squarely in play for mid-May. Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Florida's Forgotten Coast reports speckled trout exceeding 20 inches falling consistently to anglers working artificials across marsh edges and undeveloped shoreline, describing the fishing there as "great for a variety of species." Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor," drawing attention to Boca Grande Pass and the surrounding flats as a prime destination right now. Seas are calm at 2 feet with light 9–11 mph winds — comfortable for both flats skiffs and nearshore runs. Tarpon, typically peaking at Gulf passes through May, appear to be building; check current state regs before targeting. Redfish are seasonally active across Gulf flats in May, though no specific catch report surfaced in this week's feeds.
59°F at CT River Gauge: Bass Pre-Spawn Staging as High Spring Flows Push Fish to Slack Water
Water temperature at USGS gauge 01184000 hit 59°F on May 5 — prime territory for largemouth and smallmouth bass moving into pre-spawn mode across Connecticut's inland lakes and ponds. The Connecticut River is running at 13,200 cfs, indicating elevated, likely off-color conditions on the main stem; anglers should pivot to backwater eddies, tributary mouths, and sheltered cove pockets rather than open current. A smaller tributary gauge (USGS gauge 01193500) shows a more fishable 99.6 cfs. MidCurrent's recent coverage flags caddis emergences accelerating across the Northeast — a hatch cycle that typically reaches Connecticut rivers by early May, pointing toward active evening feeding windows for trout on soft-hackles and emerging patterns. Field & Stream's early-season guide cautions that elevated, turbid water can suppress surface-feeding bites, reinforcing slower subsurface presentations when flows are up. Check state regulations before targeting any species.
Colorado River at 61°F, 1,910 CFS: Trout in Prime Window Before Peak Runoff
USGS gauge 09095500 put the Colorado River at 1,910 cfs and 61°F on the afternoon of May 5 — water temperatures sitting squarely in the prime feeding range for brown and rainbow trout. That warmth, combined with rising but still-manageable spring flows, positions the next few weeks as one of the better fishing windows of the year on both the Colorado and Arkansas drainages before peak snowmelt muddies the picture. Hatch Magazine's recent piece on caddis emergences is well-timed: Colorado tailwaters and freestone runs typically see their most productive caddis hatches through mid-May, and MidCurrent's latest tying roundup flagged midge and surface-film patterns as the call for "clear, pressured water of tailraces" — a description that fits the Arkansas River's Gold Medal stretch and the Colorado's upper canyon reaches alike. No tackle-shop or charter reports for this specific region were available this week; conditions inferred from gauge data and seasonal intel only. Check local regulations before heading out.
Central Coast: 60°F Waters and Rough Seas — Nearshore Rockfish Window Open
NOAA buoy 46028 logged 60°F water and 5.6-foot seas off the Central Coast as of May 5 — with buoy 46042 confirming a similar 59°F reading across the region — a temperature window that typically marks the transition from late-spring upwelling into the heart of rockfish and halibut season. Wind at the 46028 station is running 8 m/s (roughly 18 mph), and wave heights across the buoy network range from 4.3 to 5.6 feet, keeping smaller craft in protected water for the time being. No direct charter, tackle shop, or captain reports for this stretch of coast are available in this cycle — current angler intel covers Atlantic and Southeast fisheries exclusively. Based on environmental readings and seasonal norms for early May, nearshore rockfish hold the most accessible bite, with halibut beginning to move across sandy-bottom transition zones. White seabass, whose peak window typically arrives mid-May in this region, is the species gaining momentum to watch.
Lees Ferry Tailwater Logs 54°F as Colorado Flows Hold at 8,110 cfs
USGS gauge 09380000 put the Colorado River at 54°F and 8,110 cfs as of May 5 — textbook active-feeding water for rainbow trout along the Lees Ferry tailwater. No Arizona-specific angler dispatches surfaced in this reporting cycle, so conditions assessments below draw on gauge data and mid-spring seasonal patterns for this region. At 54°F, trout metabolisms are running strong and morning feeding windows should be the most productive before midday heat pushes fish deeper into shaded lies. Flows at 8,110 cfs are on the higher end for wading but remain prime drift-boat territory — target slower seams behind mid-channel boulders and inside bends. Hatch Magazine's recent feature on caddis emergences is worth noting: caddis typically pick up on Southwest tailwaters as afternoon highs climb, and a soft-hackle or emerging pupa alongside a midge-nymph rig can extend the bite window. On the Salt River reservoir chain, largemouth and smallmouth bass are likely finishing post-spawn transition and beginning to stage on deeper structure.
Mobile Bay at 73°F: Prime Window for Trout, Reds, and Mackerel
NOAA buoy 42012 recorded 73°F water temps off the Alabama coast as of May 5 — right in the sweet spot for Mobile Bay's late-spring trout and redfish fishery. Light winds of 9-to-11 mph off buoys 42012 and 42040 are keeping conditions accessible for smaller bay boats. No local charter or tackle-shop reports are in this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal baselines: at 73°F, speckled trout typically stage across shallow grass flats while redfish work oyster bars and creek mouths on the moving tide. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that the spring-to-summer transition is the time to shift toward late-afternoon and evening outings as daytime heat builds — a pattern that fits the Mobile Bay calendar well. Spanish mackerel runs through the Gulf passes are typical for May at these temps. Offshore anglers: check Gulf federal red snapper season dates independently; the expanded South Atlantic EFP seasons reported by Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag apply only to Atlantic-coast states, not Alabama.
49°F Chattahoochee Inflow Puts Lanier & Allatoona Bass in Slow-Start Mode
USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee logged water at 49°F and 652 cfs as of mid-morning May 5 — notably cool for this stage of spring, and a sign that the inflow end of Lake Lanier may be running colder than the main basin. None of this week's regional angler-intel feeds included direct reports from either Lanier or Allatoona, so this update draws on gauge data alongside general early-May patterns for North Georgia impoundments. Field & Stream's current early-season guide cautions that cold, dirty water keeps fish sluggish and tight to structure — conditions that track with sub-50°F river temps. Expect largemouth and spotted bass to hold on deeper secondary points, moving shallow only during the warmest midday window. Striped bass and hybrids — the signature open-water species at both impoundments — typically begin surface blitzes once temps push past 55°F; that threshold appears close. Crappie on docks and brush piles with jigs or live minnows remains the most reliable early-May bet at either lake.
Expanded Snapper Season Meets 76°F Water in the Florida Panhandle
Water temps across the Panhandle are running 73–76°F per NOAA buoys 42039 and 42012, locking the Gulf into a productive late-spring window. The headline story this week: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) have opened a dramatically expanded 2026 red snapper season for Florida Gulf anglers — more legitimate days on the water targeting one of the Panhandle's most prized offshore species. Offshore structure from Destin to Pensacola, including wrecks and artificial reefs, should be holding fish now that seasons have expanded. Salt Strong recently documented a massive redfish school at St. Andrews State Park, just east of Destin, signaling fish are staging and moving along the Panhandle coast. Sport Fishing Mag's coverage of nearby Florida Gulf stretches highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches on artificials — a pattern that maps directly to Panhandle inshore flats. Waning gibbous moon favors early-morning feeding windows across the board this week.
Tampa Bay & Sarasota: 75°F Water Puts Snook and Tarpon at Peak Season
Water temperatures of 75°F recorded at NOAA buoy 42036 this morning put Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore fishing squarely in its best window of the year. Coastal Angler Magazine's Captain Dave Stephens, reporting on the adjacent Charlotte Harbor and flats, calls May 'probably one of my favorite months to fish' the area — and that enthusiasm carries directly into Tampa Bay waters, where snook, tarpon, and redfish are converging simultaneously. Salt Strong highlights the challenge and reward of hunting 40-plus-inch Florida inshore snook, fish that are now staging near passes and beach edges ahead of their pre-spawn run. Conditions favor getting out: buoy 42036 logged just 1-foot swells and light winds around 10 knots as of May 5. The waning gibbous moon is producing solid tidal exchanges, making early-morning outgoing tides the prime windows for working grass flat edges and bridge structure. Check local regulations on snook slot limits before harvesting.
Columbia River at 54°F, 1,570 cfs — Spring Chinook in the Zone
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 54°F and 1,570 cfs on the Columbia drainage at 8:00 a.m. this morning, placing the river squarely in the productive mid-spring window anglers target for spring Chinook. None of this week's regional fishing publications carried Washington-specific reports from the Columbia or Puget Sound tributaries, so our read on what's biting draws from gauge data and seasonal patterns well established for early May here. At 54°F, spring Chinook are actively migrating through mainstem holding water and stacking in deep tailouts and confluences — typically the most accessible phase before late snowmelt pushes flows higher. Smallmouth bass, the Columbia's signature summer species, are just now shaking loose from their sluggish cold-water posture as the thermometer crests 50°F. MidCurrent's current fly-tying coverage flags caddis emergences as a key spring trigger, a pattern that also fires on many Columbia tributaries as water temps rise through this range. Verify spring Chinook retention rules by reach before heading out, as closures shift frequently mid-season.