Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Green River Tailwater at 7,980 cfs — Drift Boats Only as 42°F Water Holds
USGS gauge 09234500 logged 7,980 cfs and 42°F on the Green River at Greendale early this morning (May 5), setting the tone for the tailwater below Flaming Gorge and the high-country Uinta Lakes. At nearly 8,000 cfs, wading the A and B sections is not viable — this is a drift boat week, with heavy nymphing rigs fished deep along eddy seams the recommended approach. Water temps in the low 40s suppress trout metabolism, so slower presentations and longer drifts will outperform fast-moving patterns. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday this week highlighted midge-style patterns built for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — worth keeping on the leader in these conditions. Up at elevation, the Uinta Lakes are in early May transition: ice-out timing varies lake to lake across the High Uintas. No specific shop or charter intel for this region surfaced in this week's feeds; call local outfitters near Dutch John or Manila before making the drive.
Red Drum Surge Hits Hatteras Beaches as Water Reaches 73°F
NOAA buoys 41025 and 41013 are reading 73°F nearshore off the Outer Banks as of May 5 — warm enough to push the spring surf bite into high gear. The headline: red drum have arrived in force. Ryan, of Hatteras Jack, reports that surf action has come alive with red drum making a strong push onto the Hatteras beaches, with anglers finding good numbers along the stretch, per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater. Bluefish are also showing — Steve, of Chasin' Tails, notes plenty of good-sized blues working the Cape Lookout shoals alongside bull red drum, per the same source. Offshore, a regulatory tailwind adds to the excitement: both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federal exempted fishing permits have unlocked expanded South Atlantic red snapper seasons for 2026, with North Carolina among the participating states. The waning gibbous moon is setting up favorable feeding windows through the weekend.
Spring Striper Push Coincides with NJ Fluke Season Opener
Water temperatures are locked at 52°F at both NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 as of May 5, providing a solid read on Jersey Shore conditions. The Fisherman (Northeast) filed their NJ/DE Bay Region forecast from the Belmar docks this week confirming New Jersey's fluke season kicked off Monday, May 4, with regulatory certainty restored after NOAA Fisheries approved the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework. On the striper front, The Fisherman's Long Island report — closely tracking fish that will soon press into New Jersey waters — describes schoolies and slot-size bass running consistently, with larger stripers into the 30-inch-plus class being held in position by bunker schools. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map notes the push accelerates once post-spawn females begin clearing the Chesapeake. Buoy 44091 recorded 4.9-foot swells and winds are running near 9 m/s — plan timing carefully for open-water trips. Best striper action has been coming on plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh bunker chunks, per The Fisherman.
Truckee at 530 cfs: Snowmelt Pulse Drives Spring Trout Window
USGS gauge 10311000 clocked the Truckee River at 530 cfs on the morning of May 5 — a healthy, snowmelt-driven flow that pushes conditions toward drift fishing and away from traditional wade-and-cast approaches. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge, but flows at this level in early May typically track the 45–52°F range for this drainage, cold enough to keep fish metabolically active without yet triggering the warmer-water lethargy of summer. No region-specific angler intel from tackle shops, charters, or state agency reports reached our feeds this cycle, so the conditions assessments below draw on seasonal patterns well-established for the Truckee corridor and Lake Tahoe basin. Early May is historically a productive window on the Truckee for wild rainbow trout as caddis and stonefly activity begins ramping. On Tahoe, kokanee are beginning their shallowing pattern while mackinaw remain in deeper structure. Check local outfitters for on-the-water updates before your trip.
Platte River at 2,430 cfs: Spring Window Opens on NE's Big Rivers
USGS gauge 06796000 recorded the Platte River near Duncan at 2,430 cfs as of 9:15 a.m. on May 5 — a healthy spring-pulse flow that keeps water stained but well within fishable range. No water temperature came through on the gauge this morning; typical early-May temps on the Platte and Missouri run in the mid-50s°F, a zone that historically activates walleye, white bass, and channel catfish. Wired 2 Fish covered the National Walleye Tour season opener at Lake Erie this week, where anglers found consistent action in near-zero-clarity water using slow-falling, buoyant jig profiles — a technique directly applicable to spring Missouri River conditions. Direct angler intel from Nebraska-specific captains, shops, or agency sources was not available in this reporting cycle. White bass spring spawning runs on the Missouri typically peak through early-to-mid May; if you're targeting the run, the calendar is on your side right now.
Cobia Running in MS Sound as May Conditions Turn Ideal
NOAA buoy 42067 logged 1.3-foot seas and 4 m/s winds over the Mississippi Sound on May 5, with air temperatures at a mild 72.7°F — close to ideal conditions for open-water runs. No water temperature reading was available from the buoy this cycle. Specific MS Sound fishing intel is thin in this week's feeds; the closest field chatter comes from the Pensacola area, where forum reports described a slow May 4 day with amberjack and smaller snappers well west of the Sound. What the data won't show — but the calendar will — is that early May is historically peak cobia migration time along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Calm, glassy days like this are exactly when these fish appear near buoys and channel markers. Speckled trout and redfish remain reliable spring anchors on the Sound's flats and shell beds. Flounder are active near bottom structure as water temperatures continue their seasonal climb. Verify current MS regulations before keeping any species.
Gulf Coast hits 78°F as Louisiana spring bite peaks for reds and cobia
NOAA buoy 42001 logged 78°F water temperature off the Louisiana Gulf Coast on May 5, with light 4 m/s winds and 2-foot offshore wave heights making for comfortable near-shore and inshore access. Buoy 42067 confirms similarly calm seas, with waves under 1.5 feet. No Louisiana-specific charter or shop reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, but water this warm is historically prime for redfish on the marsh edges and speckled trout across the delta flats. Coastal Angler Magazine flags the late-afternoon 'second shift' bite as the high-percentage move once midday surface temps spike — worth building your schedule around this week. Cobia migration is a live option: May is their peak run in Gulf waters, and keeping a pitch rod rigged for free-swimmers near nearshore structure is sound strategy, per Saltwater Sportsman's coverage of the technique. The waning gibbous moon drives solid tidal movement. Check Louisiana state regulations before harvesting any species.
Snake & Salmon Rivers at 50°F and 22,100 cfs as spring Chinook window peaks
USGS gauge 13340000 recorded 22,100 cfs and 50°F water on the Snake River system at 7:15 AM this morning — high-runoff conditions typical of early May in Idaho. Spring Chinook salmon are in their traditional run window; at 50°F, fish are actively migrating but seeking slower water behind structure and in river-margin eddies rather than burning energy against heavy mainline current. No regional tackle shop or charter reports came through in this cycle, so specific bite intelligence is based on seasonal norms rather than on-the-water testimony. Steelhead are typically wrapping their spring run at this point, while smallmouth bass in the lower canyon sections are approaching their pre-spawn period as water inches toward the mid-50s. Field & Stream's early-season guidance notes that elevated spring flows consistently push fish tighter to banks and into slack current seams — position accordingly. Check state regulations before targeting salmon or steelhead, as harvest seasons and bag limits vary by river section and run.
St. Johns Running at 1.33 cfs; Bass in Post-Spawn Transition on Okeechobee
USGS gauge 02232000 clocked a minimal 1.33 cfs on the St. Johns drainage this morning (May 5), confirming the dry-season low-water conditions that typically define Florida's late spring. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge, but historical norms point to surface temps climbing through the upper 70s into the low 80s°F by early May. On both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns corridor, largemouth bass have largely wrapped their spawn and are shifting into post-spawn recovery — meaning fish are dispersing from bedding areas onto adjacent grass edges, submerged hydrilla mats, and deeper transition zones. Bluegill and shellcracker are typically entering their own spawn windows right about now, making sandy-bottom coves and dock-piling areas productive secondary targets. MidCurrent's recent report on Florida guides' settlement over an Everglades Agricultural Area rock mine underlines ongoing habitat and water-quality pressures on the watershed feeding Lake Okeechobee — worth tracking as dry-season conditions intensify heading into summer.
CT River Hits 56°F as High Flows Shape Peak May Trout Conditions
Water temperature at 56°F on the Connecticut River main stem (USGS gauge 01184000, read 10:30 AM today) puts statewide inland conditions squarely in peak spring territory. Flow is running high at 13,100 cfs, making wade fishing on larger rivers challenging — boat anglers and shore casters targeting back-eddies and slack-water pockets hold the advantage right now. A secondary tributary system (USGS gauge 01193500) is comparatively tame at 99.6 cfs, offering wade-fishers steadier footing and better visibility. May is Connecticut's signature trout month, and at 56°F, browns and rainbows should be feeding actively — Hatch Magazine notes that caddis emergences are a defining trigger at this time of year, making caddis nymphs and soft-hackles productive choices. The current Waning Gibbous moon typically concentrates feeding activity during low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Bass are transitioning toward pre-spawn mode at these temperatures. Check current state regulations before targeting bass, as season dates vary by water body.
Colorado River Hits 57°F as Spring Flows and Caddis Hatches Align for Trout
USGS gauge 09095500 recorded 1,870 cfs and 57°F on the Colorado River at 8:45 AM this morning — water temperatures solidly inside the trout feeding window for early May. At these flows, fish will stage in eddy pockets and along slower seams rather than burning energy in the main-channel push. MidCurrent reports that Colorado locked in the Tolland Ranch acquisition this spring, opening miles of previously private water to fly anglers across the state — encouraging news for a season already shadowed by drought pressure. Hatch Magazine's coverage of caddis emergences applies directly to what's typical on Colorado freestones in May: afternoon hatch windows can spark genuine dry-fly opportunities when temperatures peak. The Arkansas River tailwater is a separate drainage not reflected in this gauge, but 57°F conditions are consistent with prime spring trout fishing across both systems. Check state regulations before harvesting.
Central Coast Water Temps 56–59°F as Spring Upwelling Takes Hold
NOAA buoys off the Central Coast are reading 56–59°F this week — buoy 46026 logged 56°F, 46042 came in at 57°F, and 46028 at 59°F — right in line with the classic spring upwelling pattern that defines this coastline at this time of year. These cool, nutrient-rich waters are historically productive for nearshore rockfish and bottom-structure species, while the slightly warmer reading at buoy 46028 hints at patchier warm pockets typical of the southern portion of this stretch. Wind is running light at the northern monitoring station (2 m/s at buoy 46042) and moderate at the southern stations (6 m/s at buoys 46028 and 46026). None of this week's national angling publications carried region-specific Central Coast reports in their current feeds, so species-level conditions below reflect seasonal norms for early May rather than fresh charter or shop testimony — verify current conditions with a local tackle shop or charter before heading out.
Colorado River at 53°F and 6,260 cfs — Trout Window Open at Lee's Ferry
USGS gauge 09380000 recorded the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry pushing 6,260 cfs and 53°F as of 7 a.m. this morning — cool tailwater conditions that typically favor deep nymphing for rainbow trout along this world-class reach. At this flow level, bank wading is limited to the shallower margins; a drift boat or raft is the preferred platform for covering the main channel. The waning gibbous moon this week compresses dawn feeding windows, so an early launch rewards anglers who get on the water before full light. No local shop or charter reports surfaced for the Salt River this cycle, but Field & Stream's early-spring rundown notes that cold, off-color water demands slower presentations and deliberate target selection — sound advice when temps hover in the low 50s. Check current Arizona game and fish regulations for valid license and possession requirements before heading out.
Gulf of Alaska water at 40–42°F: halibut season opens, kings staging deep
Water temperatures across the Gulf of Alaska are registering 40–42°F as of May 5, per NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080, with surface winds running 8–10 meters per second (roughly 16–19 knots). None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried Gulf of Alaska–specific reports, so this update draws on buoy readings and patterns typical for the region at this point in the season. At 40–42°F, Gulf surface temps sit right in line with normal early-May readings — cold enough to keep salmon in deeper offshore staging zones, but at the threshold where halibut begin pushing inshore toward shelf feeding grounds. Rockfish and lingcod remain consistent targets on rocky bottom structure throughout this temperature range. Winds at 16–19 knots represent a moderate sea state for the open Gulf; wave-height data was unavailable from all three reporting buoys this observation period. Confirm conditions locally before any offshore commitment.
Gulf Water at 72°F, Flat Seas Open a Prime Window Near Mobile Bay
NOAA buoy 42012 is logging 72°F water with flat 0.7-foot seas and light 3 m/s winds off the Alabama Gulf coast — textbook early May conditions for nearshore structure fishing. Buoy 42040 reads 1.3-foot swells and 4 m/s winds slightly farther out, still comfortable for most Gulf rigs. Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum filed a 5/4 outing reporting several AJs and smaller snappers near the Oriskany area, with blue water pushed beautifully close inshore; that report is forum chatter without charter or agency corroboration, so treat it as directional rather than confirmed testimony. With water at 72°F and the waning gibbous moon overhead, Mobile Bay channel edges and nearshore reefs should be holding cobia and Spanish mackerel typical for this point in May. Per Coastal Angler Magazine, as Gulf air temperatures climb through May, the late-afternoon-into-night "second shift" window consistently outproduces midday sessions for bay and nearshore species alike.
Yellowstone Gauge at 51°F and 3,820 cfs — Cutthroat Holding the Seams
USGS gauge 06192500 logged 51°F and 3,820 cfs on the Yellowstone drainage early this morning — textbook Wyoming spring-runoff conditions. Flows at this volume push cutthroat and browns out of the main tongue and into slack-water seams, back-eddies, and tributary confluences where they can hold without burning energy against the current. Hatch Magazine's piece on Yellowstone caddis emergences notes that late April through May is when caddis populations begin their ascent on these drainages, and 51°F water is warm enough for early pupal activity. Expect nymph and soft-hackle patterns to produce in the slower water adjacent to heavy flow. MidCurrent's recent tying roundup flagged midge-style patterns as effective in "the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a fitting description of the calmer pockets fish are likely using right now. The waning gibbous moon supports pre-dawn and dusk feeding windows.
White River Trout Active at 65°F as Tailwaters Drop to 7.6 CFS
USGS gauge 07060710 recorded 65°F water and a strikingly low 7.6 cfs as of early May 5 — signaling near-shutdown generation at the Bull Shoals/Norfork tailwater reach. Flow that lean puts the river in prime wading territory: clear, shallow conditions that reward light tippets and precise presentations but punish sloppy casts. Trout are active at 65°F, right at the upper boundary of comfortable holding temps before summer heat begins to stress fish. No Bull Shoals- or Norfork-specific angler reports appeared in this week's major fishing publications; however, MidCurrent's recent fly-tying roundup highlighted midge-style patterns as the go-to choice for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits current conditions precisely. Rainbow trout remain the backbone of both tailwaters, with brown trout dropping into deeper structure as midday pressure builds. With a waning gibbous moon, overnight and early-morning feeding windows are likely the most productive slots of the day.
Lake Lanier Tailwater Reads 47°F — Bass Post-Spawn, Stripers Stirring
The Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam clocked in at 47°F and 652 cfs at USGS gauge 02334430 early this morning — cold dam-release water that keeps striped bass active in the deeper sections of Lake Lanier and sets up a productive tailwater trout window. Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 lure guide confirms that bass south of the Mason-Dixon Line have largely cleared the beds, meaning largemouth and spotted bass on both Lanier and Allatoona are now transitioning post-spawn and beginning to scatter toward deeper structure. Waning gibbous moon conditions favor low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Per Wired 2 Fish, a swimbait to cover water followed by a finesse bait on the follow-up is the go-to approach for targeting staging fish near spawning flats, stumps, and the first depth changes off the banks. Hybrid stripers — a staple of both reservoirs — should be actively feeding near channel edges and the dam face given the cool inflows.
Smokies Streams Hit 56°F — Prime May Window for Mountain Trout
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 56°F water and 219 cfs flow as of early morning May 5 — textbook conditions for western NC mountain trout. At this temperature, rainbow and brown trout are actively feeding and responsive across the full water column. No direct Smokies shop or guide reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feed, but fly fishing outlets are signaling strong hatch activity for early May. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying roundups highlight nymphs and emerging caddis patterns as the workhorses right now, noting that patterns should give anglers 'a complete toolkit as hatches begin to fire and predatory fish start pushing into the shallows.' Hatch Magazine's caddis emergence coverage reinforces that late April and early May mark a turning point for surface action on freestone streams like those in the Smokies. With flow running moderate at 219 cfs, wading conditions are accessible and fish should be holding in predictable lies near current seams and deeper pockets.
Red Snapper Season Expands for NC as May Warmth Reaches Pamlico Sound
NOAA buoy 41037 logged 71°F air and 7 m/s winds off the North Carolina coast at dawn on May 5, with conditions holding workable for nearshore runs. The headline development this week: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both report that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) are opening substantially expanded red snapper seasons for North Carolina recreational anglers this summer as part of a South Atlantic pilot program. Inshore, Pamlico Sound is in its spring-to-early-summer transition. Buoy 41037 returned no water-temperature reading this cycle, but the sound's typical early May range of upper 60s to low 70s°F is sufficient to draw spotted seatrout onto the grass flats and push red drum into the shallows. Cobia are typically migrating northward along the Outer Banks right now, and the Cape Lookout corridor ranks among the year's premier sight-casting windows for the species.
Black Drum Stack the Barrier Islands as Striper Migration Snowballs
Water temps at Chincoteague are holding at 52°F as of this morning (NOAA buoy 44014), placing the Eastern Shore squarely in prime-time territory for two of spring's marquee runs. Per Sport Fishing Mag, goliath black drum are actively transitioning from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay along the barrier islands through May, moving onto structure to feed on crabs, clams, and mussels—exactly the kind of habitat Chincoteague Inlet and the surrounding shoals provide. On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map confirms the post-spawn exodus from the Chesapeake is "snowballing," pushing large females past the Eastern Shore barrier island chain. Meanwhile, The Fisherman (Northeast) reports the migration corridor is loaded north through the NJ/DE region, with fish running 25 to 40 inches. Natural bait fished near inlet structure is the move for black drum; striper anglers should work the oceanside beaches and inlet mouths around tide changes.
76°F Gulf Water Sparks Cobia Run and Redfish Schooling Off the Panhandle
NOAA buoy 42039 logged Gulf water temperatures at 76°F early on May 5—comfortably warm and squarely in the productive late-spring window for the Florida Panhandle. Light winds of roughly 4 m/s (~8–9 knots) from both buoys 42039 and 42012 point to manageable boating conditions across the area. Salt Strong has spotlighted a massive school of redfish filmed at St. Andrews State Park, confirming that reds are staging on Panhandle structure. Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Florida's Forgotten Coast—just east of Destin—highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches hitting artificials on inshore flats, a pattern consistent with this stretch of coast in May. Offshore, the Florida Panhandle Billfish Series opens its third season with a major tournament in mid-June, and blue-water species are building toward peak. The waning gibbous moon extends dawn and dusk feeding windows for most target species through the week.
77°F Gulf Waters Signal Prime May Inshore Action in Tampa Bay
Water temperatures of 77°F off the Gulf Coast (NOAA buoy 42013) signal that Tampa Bay and Sarasota are entering one of the strongest inshore stretches of the year. Capt. Dave Stephens, writing for Coastal Angler Magazine, calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor" — that enthusiasm runs north through the entire bay system. Snook are staging along mangrove edges and bridge structure; Salt Strong's Florida inshore coverage documents that 40-plus-inch fish are actively hunted when water temps hit this range. Redfish schools are building on the shallow flats, consistent with Salt Strong's underwater footage showing Gulf Coast reds aggregating in large numbers at this time of year. Tarpon are moving through the passes as Gulf temps crack the mid-70s — typical for early May, with peak migration still intensifying. Light winds at 5 m/s (NOAA buoy 42036) this morning are keeping bay conditions clean, and the waning gibbous moon is driving tidal exchange that concentrates bait and predators through the passes.
Keys Water Hits 78°F as Tarpon Season Peaks and Snapper Rules Expand
NOAA buoy 41114 recorded 78°F water and 2.3-foot seas in late April, conditions that signal prime season across the Florida Keys flats and offshore grounds. Tarpon are the headline act — upper-70s surface temps are textbook staging water for migratory silver kings stacking up on Atlantic-side flats this time of year. Salt Strong notes that the hunt for 40-plus-inch snook remains a compelling inshore target for backcountry anglers, a solid secondary option while the tarpon bite builds. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both report a meaningful regulatory development: expanded red snapper seasons have been approved for Florida's South Atlantic waters under federal exempted fishing permits, adding a strong food-fishing incentive to offshore runs. With the moon in a waning gibbous phase and easing toward new, incoming-tide windows on the flats should produce dependably over the next several days.