Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-Spawn Bass Stage in Timber as Mississippi Runs 545K CFS
USGS gauge 07374000 logged the Mississippi at 69°F and 545,000 CFS on May 4 — a warm, high-volume spring reading that is pushing gamefish out of the main channel and into slack-water refuge across both the main stem and Atchafalaya basin. Wired 2 Fish notes this month that largemouth bass south of the Mason-Dixon Line are largely done spawning, transitioning from shallow beds to adjacent deep cover. With nearly half a million CFS pushing through, flooded timber, backwater sloughs, and wing-dam eddies are where fish are stacking now. Catfish should be capitalizing on displaced forage along channel edges and scour holes. Crappie (sac-a-lait) are likely pulling back from spring beds toward mid-depth brush piles. No regional charter or shop reports were available for this cycle, so species assessments are grounded in gauge data and seasonal norms rather than direct on-water testimony.
Kansas & Arkansas Rivers Hit 70°F — Bass Spawn Window Now Open
Water temperature at USGS gauge 06892350 clocked 70°F on May 4 with flow running at 8,400 cfs — conditions that place the Kansas river system squarely in the heart of the bass spawn window. Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 lure roundup confirms bass across the mid-continent are "in some phase of the spawn," and Kansas falls right in that north-trending transition zone. Largemouth are staging in slack-water pockets away from the main-channel push — tributary mouths, inside bends, and backwater sloughs are the primary targets. Wired 2 Fish's swimbait-to-finesse follow-up is the go-to method for locating and committing bedded fish near stumps and hard bottom. Channel catfish are entering their seasonal prime as temperatures climb past 65°F. The waning gibbous moon adds low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, making early and late runs particularly worthwhile this week.
Hawaiian Blue Water Heats Up: 76–79°F Sea Temps Favor Offshore Pelagics
Water temperatures across the Hawaiian Islands registered 76–79°F at NOAA buoys 51001, 51002, and 51004 as of the evening of May 4 — squarely in the comfort zone for offshore pelagics heading into the weekend. Seas are running 6.6–8.2 feet with trade winds blowing 5–9 m/s, creating a bumpy but workable offshore window for captains targeting blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), and mahi-mahi. This week's national angler-intel feeds skew heavily toward Atlantic and Gulf Coast fisheries, with no Hawaii-specific charter or shop dispatches to draw from. That said, Saltwater Sportsman's current pitch-baiting breakdown translates directly to Hawaiian billfish grounds: keep a rigged live bait ready on deck when a marlin shows on teasers, and react fast — those fish don't wait. Typical early-May conditions in Hawaiian waters favor an active offshore bite as surface temps push through the upper 70s, and this week's buoy readings land right on that seasonal mark.
Georgia Offshore Sees Calm Conditions as 2026 Red Snapper Season Expands
NOAA buoy 41008 logged 2-foot seas and light 2-m/s winds off the Georgia coast on May 4, providing a comfortable offshore window. The headline for Georgia saltwater anglers this season: both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) will deliver greatly expanded red snapper access across the South Atlantic — including Georgia — this summer. These pilot programs are designed to refine recreational catch data while opening up significantly more fishing days than in recent years. Inshore, early May is traditionally active for Spanish mackerel, redfish, and flounder along Georgia's tidal marshes and nearshore structure, though no regional charter captain or tackle-shop reports were available this cycle to pin down specific bite windows. Water temperature at buoy 41008 was unavailable; verify local readings before heading out. The Waning Gibbous moon favors feeding activity around dawn and dusk. Check current state regulations for red snapper bag limits under the EFP framework before offshore trips.
Gulf Coast Waters at 75–76°F as May Flats Fishing Hits Peak Form
Water temps at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 logged 75–76°F as of May 4th evening, with light winds around 4 m/s — comfortable conditions across the Gulf. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens singles out Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass as prime targets right now, calling May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor." Sport Fishing Mag confirms speckled trout exceeding 20 inches are a regular catch on the Forgotten Coast for anglers working artificials along marsh edges and undeveloped shoreline. As daytime heat builds toward summer, Coastal Angler Magazine notes that late-afternoon and after-dark trips are outproducing midday outings — worth building into any weekend plan. Tonight's waning gibbous moon extends low-light fishing opportunity into the early morning hours. Tarpon migration is ramping up along the flats, typical for early May, though specific current-week captain reports are limited in our feeds this cycle.
58°F Water Temps Put CT Inland Bass in Prime Spawn Window
Water temperatures clocking 58°F on the Connecticut River (USGS gauge 01184000) put CT inland bass squarely in the spawn, a trend Wired 2 Fish confirms is rolling northward through the Northeast this May. Largemouth are sliding into shallows and staging on beds, with Wired 2 Fish contributor Brandon Coulter recommending a two-punch approach: a swimbait to locate and provoke shallow fish, then a finesse follow-up near stumps and bed structure to convert pressured fish. Flows are running elevated — 13,400 cfs at gauge 01184000 and 104 cfs at gauge 01193500 — pushing river bass toward slacker coves and backwaters where they'll be far more catchable than in main-channel current. Fly anglers chasing trout should consult MidCurrent's current hatch coverage, which highlights caddis-emerger and midge patterns tuned for the water-column transitions happening at exactly these temperatures. Chain pickerel remain a reliable target in weedy lake margins. The Waning Gibbous moon sets up strong low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.
63°F on the Arkansas: Prime Pre-Runoff Window for Colorado Trout
USGS gauge 09095500 logged 63°F and 1,760 cfs on the Arkansas River on the afternoon of May 4 — temperatures squarely in the prime trout feeding range, with flows running well above seasonal median as snowmelt builds. The pre-runoff window on Colorado rivers is classically the best two to three weeks of the spring season: fish are aggressive, hatches are firing, and clarity still holds. Hatch Magazine's detailed look at caddis emergences is directly applicable here — Colorado's May caddis cycle rewards anglers who cover the full emergence, from subsurface pupae to egg-laying adults, not just the dry-fly window on top. With a waning gibbous moon, early-morning feeding windows are condensed but intense. Brown and rainbow trout are the primary targets on these freestone and tailwater stretches; warmer lower-elevation reaches of both rivers add smallmouth bass to the mix as water temps climb through the 60s.
Central Coast 56–61°F: Rockfish Active as White Seabass Window Opens
Water temperatures off the Central Coast range from 56°F at NOAA buoy 46026 to 61°F at NOAA buoy 46028, with buoy 46042 reading 59°F as of May 4 — squarely in the window that activates nearshore species along this stretch. Light winds of 3–5 m/s across all three stations point to a favorable sea state for small boats and skiffs. None of this week's angler-intel feeds included CA Central Coast-specific reports, so the outlook below draws on documented seasonal patterns at these water temperatures rather than direct captain or shop testimony. That said, late spring in the mid-to-upper 50s is historically productive territory here: California halibut work sandy flats, rockfish stack on structure throughout the water column, and white seabass — which typically peak in May and June along Central Coast kelp beds — are approaching their best window. Verify current bite conditions with a local tackle shop before launching.
Colorado at 54°F, 8,170 cfs — Trout Peak and Bass Spawn Season Align
USGS gauge 09380000 recorded the Colorado River at 54°F and 8,170 cfs on the afternoon of May 4 — water temperatures sitting squarely in the productive window for the Lees Ferry rainbow trout tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam. At that flow, the river is running with authority; boat access opens up mid-channel slots that are difficult to wade safely at these volumes, and midge and caddis patterns remain the workhorses in cold-release tailwater. Hatch Magazine's coverage of spring caddis emergences underscores that this is the transitional window when afternoon hatches begin materializing on tailwater reaches like Lees Ferry. Meanwhile, across the warmer Salt River stretches and lower Colorado, Wired 2 Fish reports that May is when the bass spawn is in full swing across the Southwest — bed fish are moving shallow, and a swimbait-to-finesse-bait approach is the recommended playbook for covering water and triggering strikes near spawning structure. No local tackle shop or charter intel was available in this report cycle; conditions here are grounded in gauge data and national seasonal reporting.
Gulf of Alaska: 40–42°F Water, Heavy Swells Challenge Offshore Access
NOAA buoy 46001 is registering water temperatures of 40°F alongside 9.8-foot seas and sustained winds of 13 m/s — a characteristically turbulent early-May picture for the Gulf of Alaska. Companion stations NOAA buoy 46066 and buoy 46080 confirm the pattern, with sea-surface temps holding between 40°F and 42°F across the region. That cold, nutrient-rich baseline is typical for this stretch of the calendar and sets the table for the Gulf's signature species: Pacific halibut, king salmon, and Pacific cod. No Gulf of Alaska–specific charter or tackle-shop dispatches appeared in this cycle's angler-intel feeds — available reports skewed heavily toward Atlantic and Florida waters. Based on seasonal patterns, May marks the traditional opening stretch for halibut charters along the Gulf coast, and early chinook runs can begin staging near bay mouths. Offshore access remains the primary challenge: the current swell profile across all three buoys warrants serious caution before any open-water departure.
Kenai at 38°F and 2,280 cfs: King Salmon Season on the Doorstep
USGS gauge 15266300 logged the Kenai drainage at 38°F and 2,280 cfs on May 4 — cold, snowmelt-fed, and running at typical early-spring volume. None of this week's regional feeds carried Kenai- or interior-specific angler intel, so this report leans on gauge data and seasonal patterns known for this time of year. At 38°F, water temperatures are keeping fish metabolism slow; resident rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are the primary accessible targets right now, best approached with egg patterns or beads fished deliberately near structure in slower side channels. On interior drainages, arctic grayling are becoming available as ice recedes from upper reaches. The early king salmon season — typically opening on the lower Kenai in mid-May — is still roughly two weeks out, but early fish may already be staging in tidal reaches below the river mouth. Field & Stream's current early-season primer advises slowing presentations and targeting deeper lies in cold water: sound counsel for the Kenai right now.
73°F Gulf Water Opens Prime May Window for Mobile Bay & Gulf Anglers
NOAA buoy 42012 logged water temperatures at 73°F across the northern Gulf on the evening of May 4 — a mark that puts speckled trout, redfish, and cobia squarely into prime feeding territory along Alabama's coastline. Sport Fishing Mag's coverage of Florida's Forgotten Coast, the closest regionally comparable inshore fishery, found anglers regularly landing speckled trout exceeding 20 inches on artificials along grass and marsh edges — a pattern that mirrors typical Mobile Bay conditions at this point in the season. Winds were light to near-calm across both buoy stations, with buoy 42012 recording 4 m/s and buoy 42040 showing barely 1 m/s, making for clean conditions on the bay and for short inshore Gulf runs. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that as the spring-to-summer transition pushes daytime highs toward the upper 90s, launching late afternoon and fishing through dark is becoming the smart play. The Waning Gibbous moon continues to support solid low-light and nocturnal feeding windows through mid-week.
Post-Spawn Transition Underway as Tennessee & Coosa Rivers Run 5,880 CFS
USGS gauge 02339500 logged 5,880 CFS on the afternoon of May 4 — a healthy spring flow through the Tennessee River corridor. The timing aligns with what Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 seasonal breakdown describes as the post-spawn shift: bass south of the Mason-Dixon Line have largely cleared the beds, meaning Alabama's largemouth and spotted bass are now in recovery and early feed-up mode. Elevated flow is concentrating baitfish in slack-water pockets — inside bends, flooded timber, and tributary mouths — and bass are stacking in the calm water just down-current of those features. Wired 2 Fish's concurrent swimbait-and-finesse feature recommends a two-bait approach: sweep the Berkley PowerBait CullShad through the shallows to locate schools of transitioning fish, then follow up with a finesse plastic to seal the deal. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this report cycle.
Cutthroat Season Opens: Snake/Yellowstone at 52°F with Runoff at 3,170 cfs
USGS gauge 06192500 is reporting 52°F water temperatures and 3,170 cfs of flow across the region as of May 4 — snowmelt is running but not yet at full fury, placing the region in a workable early-season window. Water at 52°F sits squarely in trout's active feeding range, and Hatch Magazine's recent deep-dive on Yellowstone caddis emergence cycles notes that the insect activity anglers dream about is beginning to stir. Field & Stream's aquatic insect primer reinforces that stonefly and caddisfly hatches — both staples of the Yellowstone and Snake drainages — typically accelerate through May as flows warm. For now, elevated cfs means fish are tucked into bank eddies, tailouts, and protected pocket water rather than working the open braids. Subsurface nymph presentations tight to structure remain the most reliable play. The waning gibbous moon favors fishing the low-light bookends — dawn and dusk — over midday.
Record 2024 Salmon Class Primes Indiana Shoreline for Spring Run
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report recorded a banner 2024 harvest — over 210,000 coho salmon and more than 160,000 Chinook, the latter the highest tally since 2012 — crediting robust alewife year-classes for exceptional survival of stocked fish across the entire Lake Michigan system. Those same forage dynamics extend to Indiana's southern shoreline, where early-May conditions typically find salmon trollers working nearshore transition zones and tributary mouths before fish scatter to deeper summer structure. No buoy or gauge data was available for this report; current water temperatures and wave heights should be confirmed locally before launching. Per Wired 2 Fish, Great Lakes bass are in some phase of the spawn throughout May, making shallow rocky points and pier structures productive targets for smallmouth right now. The waning gibbous moon this week provides extended dawn and late-evening feeding windows worth building a trip around.
Lake Michigan Salmon Season Opens Strong as May Spawn Window Arrives
The Wisconsin DNR's Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirms that 2024 produced a record coho harvest of more than 210,000 fish and over 160,000 Chinook — the highest Chinook count since 2012 — with strong alewife classes credited for exceptional stocked-fish survival. That population strength carries promising momentum into early May 2026 trolling season out of Chicago-area harbors. No buoy temperature readings are available for nearshore Chicago waters today, and no charter or tackle-shop reports from the Illinois shoreline appear in today's feeds. Broader regional context from Wired 2 Fish notes that Great Lakes bass are in or approaching spawn phase as of early May, with big fish staged shallow near structure. Anglers targeting Chinook and coho should focus on temperature breaks in 30–120 feet of water. Yellow perch remain a nearshore and pier-fishing staple. Check harbor conditions and local forecasts — no current environmental data is available from Chicago's nearshore buoys today.
Lanier & Allatoona Enter Post-Spawn as Tailwater Holds at 50°F
USGS gauge 02334430 logged 660 cfs and 50°F on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam this morning — cold tailwater that keeps landlocked striped bass energized well into late spring on Lake Lanier. For bass anglers, Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 lure breakdown confirms what Lanier and Allatoona regulars know: south of the Mason-Dixon Line, bedding bass have largely cleared the shallows by now. The post-spawn transition has set in, pushing most fish toward secondary points, drop-offs, and offshore structure as they recover and begin tracking shad schools. Wired 2 Fish highlights a swimbait-to-finesse-bait sequence — covering water with a paddle-tail to locate fish, then following up with a finesse bait on specific cover — as the most consistent approach during this recovery phase. With a waning gibbous moon overhead, low-light windows at dawn and dusk are likely your best shooting hours on both lakes.
NJ Fluke Season Opens as Delaware Bay Water Hits 53°F
Water temperatures in Delaware Bay are reading 53°F at NOAA buoy 44009 as of May 4th — the precise moment New Jersey's fluke season officially opens, making today a significant calendar marker for bay anglers. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s April 30 NJ/DE Bay forecast cleared the regulatory air: the U.S. Department of Commerce approved the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework at NOAA Fisheries, putting fluke and sea bass seasons on firm ground for 2026. Delaware's black sea bass season opened May 1st; NJ's fluke kicks off today. Meanwhile, On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms the post-spawn push out of the Chesapeake is building — a development that historically funnels migrating bass through Delaware Bay corridors this time of year. With a waning gibbous moon driving strong tidal movement, we're entering a genuine multi-species window that early-season bay anglers won't want to miss.
Gulf Warms to 76°F Off Destin — Speckled Trout and Snapper Season in Focus
NOAA buoy 42039 logged 76°F water temps offshore northwest Florida on May 4, with nearshore buoy 42012 reading 73°F — both solidly in the late-spring feeding range that switches Gulf species into high gear. Speckled trout are the standout inshore story: Sport Fishing Mag's feature on Florida's Forgotten Coast reports fish exceeding 20 inches responding to artificials worked along undeveloped Gulf shoreline, a pattern that extends west into Panhandle flats and bay systems. Red snapper is building toward its summer peak — Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag report federally approved exempted fishing permits are expanding Florida's red snapper access this season, though those EFPs address Atlantic waters; Gulf Panhandle anglers should verify current NMFS Gulf rules before heading to structure. As Coastal Angler Magazine observes, the spring-to-summer transition is the moment to shift trips toward late afternoon and into the night, when heat eases and feeding windows widen. Wave heights of 2 ft offshore and 0.7 ft nearshore signal a calm, fishable Gulf right now.
North Shore tributaries at 130 cfs as late-spring steelhead window nears close
USGS gauge 04015330 logged 130 cfs on the morning of May 4 — a moderate spring flow that keeps North Shore tributaries in fishable shape, with classic pool-and-run structure accessible to wading anglers. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. Across the broader Lake Superior basin, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has highlighted a rapidly growing lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay, with angler interest rising for both boat and open-water presentations on the Wisconsin side — a trend worth watching as it develops on the MN shoreline as well. Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 lure roundup confirms Great Lakes bass are in the thick of spawn season now: "look for big ones shallow" along rocky shorelines and tributary mouths. Steelhead, the North Shore's signature spring species, are typically at or past run peak by early May; with flows holding at 130 cfs, fish should still be staging in lower tributary pools and accessible runs. Confirm season dates with state regulations before heading out.
Record Salmon Class Supports Strong Lake Michigan Spring; Launch Alert
WI DNR's Lake Michigan Fishing Report logged a record coho salmon harvest in 2024 — more than 210,000 fish — alongside 160,000-plus Chinook, the best Chinook tally since 2012. The agency credits strong recent alewife year-classes with improving stocked-fish survival, conditions that carry into 2026 stockings and support an optimistic spring outlook for Door County and Sheboygan waters. A key logistics note for Door County anglers: Rowley's Bay Boat Launch near Newport State Park in Liberty Grove is closed from ice-off through approximately May 31, 2026, per WI DNR, while concrete improvements are completed — identify an alternate launch before heading out. No buoy or gauge data was available for this reporting period. Wired 2 Fish reports that Great Lakes-region bass are currently in active spawn phase, with fish moving shallow — conditions consistent with Door County's rocky shoreline structure and Sheboygan harbor areas. Check local conditions before launching.
UP Streams Running High at 926 CFS; Lake Superior Whitefish Active
USGS gauge 04059500 recorded 926 cfs on the morning of May 4 — elevated spring runoff that will push many UP trout streams out of prime wading condition. Expect turbid, fast main-stem flows; target slower inside bends, backwater pockets, and confluences where brook and brown trout hold tight to the bank. On Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has documented a growing whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay, with angler interest in the Big Lake's protected bay areas continuing to build. Caddis emergences are ramping up across Great Lakes–region freestone streams, per Hatch Magazine's seasonal coverage — evening hatches in the film become productive once flows recede and clarity improves. Wired 2 Fish notes the spawn push is now reaching the Great Lakes, meaning larger resident fish will increasingly move shallow. The waning gibbous moon favors early-morning low-light bites over midday fishing.
Grand River at 5,990 cfs — Coho and Chinook Concentrate Near the Lake Michigan Mouth
The USGS gauge on the Grand River (site 04119000) logged 5,990 cfs on the morning of May 4 — a strong spring pulse that pushes off-color water into Lake Michigan and typically concentrates staging salmon along the color break just outside the turbid plume boundary. No water temperature reading was available from today's gauge. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report provides the best available season context: the 2024 harvest topped 210,000 coho — a lake-wide record — and more than 160,000 Chinook, the best tally since 2012, with robust alewife year classes credited for driving stocked-fish survival. Those class years are now approaching peak size. Direct on-water reports from Grand Haven captains or tackle shops were not available in today's intel feeds. Per Wired 2 Fish's May 2026 dispatch, Great Lakes bass are in an active spawn phase this month, putting shallow structure near the pier heads in play on calm mornings. Fishing the plume color break for coho and monitoring the Grand River gauge for a drop that opens late-steelhead seams are the primary plays this week.
Penns Creek & Spring Creek at 95 cfs as Sulphur Season Approaches
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 95 cfs on the morning of May 4 — moderate, wadeable flow across the limestone drainage. No gauge water temperature is available today, but at this flow level and time of year, central Pennsylvania spring creeks typically hold in the upper 50s°F, well within the prime feeding window for resident brown and rainbow trout. Field & Stream published a trout aquatic insect primer this week noting that mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges form the core of stream trout diets — a timely reminder as Penns Creek and Spring Creek enter their signature early-May hatch window. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday this week featured surface and film-zone patterns timed to when "hatches begin to fire and predatory fish start pushing into the shallows," language that maps directly onto the Sulphur and Blue-Winged Olive windows now opening on central PA limestone water. Hatch Magazine adds further context with a caddis-emergence deep-dive worth reading before you head out. With a waning gibbous moon overhead, low-light morning sessions deserve a look alongside the classic evening hatch.