Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Gulf Settles at 75°F as Spring Bite Windows Open from Galveston to Corpus
Water temperatures logged at 75–76°F across the central Gulf buoy network—NOAA buoy 42035 and NOAA buoy 42020—mark a textbook early-May warm-up for the Galveston-to-Corpus stretch. A rough-water pulse, with 9.2-foot waves recorded at buoy 42020 on May 2, has given way to calmer 2-foot seas by May 4, reopening wade and nearshore windows that were largely shut earlier in the week. With water in the mid-70s and a waning gibbous moon, this region's core spring species—speckled trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and black drum—should be well-positioned along grass flats and nearshore structure. None of the angler-intel feeds reviewed this week carried TX Gulf-specific charter or tackle-shop reports, so species assessments here reflect seasonal norms and buoy readings rather than first-hand on-water testimony. Check with local captains and bait shops for real-time bite windows before heading out.
Texas Bass in Full Spawn at 74°F — Swimbait/Finesse the Key Combo
USGS gauge 08211200 logged 74°F on the morning of May 4 — right in the heart of Texas's bass spawn window. Wired 2 Fish writer Brandon Coulter broke down exactly the setup that's working for these conditions this week: a swimbait to cover shallow water and locate bed fish near stumps and submerged structure, followed by a finesse bait to convert the lookers. River flows on the same gauge are running a quiet 31.6 cfs, pointing to clear, calm conditions where finesse presentations outperform power fishing. Across the South, crappie are also stacking up on structure — Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both reported a 4.10-pound slab pulled from Grenada Lake, Mississippi on April 24, a signal that slab crappie are actively staging and biting throughout southern reservoirs at similar temperatures. With a waning gibbous moon, the best solunar feeding windows will be concentrated in the early morning hours — plan your launch accordingly.
Bass Spawn Peaks and Crappie Stage Shallow on Tennessee & Cumberland Waters
Bass are moving shallow across Tennessee and Cumberland waters as the spring spawn ramps up in earnest. Wired 2 Fish contributor Brandon Coulter outlines a reliable two-bait system this week — covering water with a swimbait to trigger reactions near beds, stumps, and shallow structure, then closing bites with a finesse plastic. USGS gauge 03434500 on the Cumberland drainage recorded a steady 166 cfs as of early Monday — stable, fishable conditions with no flood concerns. Water temperature data wasn't available from the gauge this cycle, but early-May seasonal norms in Tennessee typically put river and reservoir surfaces in the low-to-mid 60s, prime territory for both the bass and crappie spawns. A 4.10-pound white crappie landed April 24 at Grenada Lake in Mississippi — reported by both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub — signals that heavyweight slabs are congregating in shallow staging areas across the mid-South right now. Expect similar crappie behavior in Tennessee coves and creek arms.
SD Waters Running Low; Black Hills Trout and Missouri Walleye on the Move
USGS gauge 06440200 logged 5.21 cfs at midnight on May 4 — a low reading that signals lean, clear water conditions across the Black Hills drainage. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but early May in South Dakota typically places shallower Black Hills streams in the upper 40s to low 50s°F, favorable territory for trout beginning to key on emerging insects. Hatch Magazine's current coverage of caddis emergences and Field & Stream's aquatic insect guide both highlight how early caddis and midge patterns come online as temperatures approach the 48–52°F threshold — timing that aligns with where Black Hills streams likely sit right now. On the Missouri River mainstem, walleye are approaching their post-spawn feeding phase, and a Waning Gibbous moon favors aggressive early-morning and dusk presentations along current seams. No local charter, shop, or state agency reports appeared in this cycle's feeds; the conditions outlined here are drawn from gauge data and established seasonal pattern.
74°F Water Puts Charleston Harbor on Cusp of Prime Spring Fishing
Station 41004 recorded 74°F water on May 4, placing Charleston Harbor squarely in prime spring territory for inshore species. Coastal Angler Magazine's Haddrell's Point and Tackle Offshore Report for May — filed by Captain Mike Able — notes that the month "brings many opportunities" for area anglers. That signal aligns with broader Carolinas momentum: Fisherman's Post reports from the NC coast show bull red drum pushing onto shoals and into the surf, a pattern that typically extends south into South Carolina as the season advances. Bluefish and pompano are also showing in nearshore NC zones, suggesting active baitfish migration along the entire Carolina coast. With winds near calm at 3 m/s and air temps around 68°F, conditions favor inshore structure fishing around harbor docks, jetties, and nearshore wrecks. The waning gibbous moon this week can support early-morning feeding windows. Check state regs before harvesting any regulated species.
SC Bass Still on Beds at Santee & Murray; Crappie Moving to Structure
USGS gauge 02160390 logged 122 cfs just before dawn on May 4 — flows are moderate and steady heading into the week. Across South Carolina's piedmont reservoirs, early May typically marks late-stage bass spawn, with fish still pushing to beds near stumps, laydowns, and protected coves. Wired 2 Fish published a targeted breakdown this week on locating spawning bass without electronics: work a swimbait — the Berkley PowerBait CullShad is specifically featured — to cover water and draw reaction strikes near shallow structure, then follow with a finesse presentation to close out reluctant fish. Crappie are likely moving into post-spawn scatter, filtering off spawning banks and back toward brush piles and creek-channel timber — a pattern guides on comparable southern reservoirs are reporting this week. Landlocked striped bass at Santee remain a defining regional draw; stable flows and warming water should keep early-morning topwater and mid-column presentations productive near current-washed points. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle.
Susquehanna at 54°F: Pre-Spawn Bass and Striper Window Now Open
USGS gauge 01540500 logged 54°F water and a flow of 24,200 cfs on the Susquehanna at Danville early this morning — elevated spring runoff, but fishable along inside bends and slack-water pockets. Water in the mid-50s puts smallmouth bass firmly in pre-spawn staging, with fish pushing shallow toward gravel. Wired 2 Fish's current spring bass breakdown pinpoints swimbaits worked over shallow structure as the trigger bait right now, with a finesse follow-up to close on fish holding near beds. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map documents Chesapeake post-spawn females beginning their northward push — historically the timing that puts early-run fish nosing into the lower Susquehanna. Fly anglers should note that Hatch Magazine highlights active caddis emergences for this period, and Field & Stream's aquatic insect primer underscores how critical the mayfly-caddis overlap is for trout in PA's freestone streams. All signs point to a productive early-May window if flows ease.
Spring Chinook Pushing at Buoy 10 as Offshore Swells Top 9 Feet
Per Saltwater Sportsman, spring chinook and coho salmon are putting on a show at Buoy 10 on the Columbia River, with captains running out of Astoria and Warrenton reporting close-quartered, arm-wrenching battles in the pre-dawn hours. That salmon push is the defining story along the Oregon Coast right now. Offshore conditions are running heavy — NOAA buoys 46002 and 46050 recorded swell heights of 9.8 and 8.9 feet respectively at first light on May 4, with winds at 7–8 m/s. Smaller boats should hold off on open-ocean runs until the swell settles. Closer in, buoy 46029 showed winds easing to 4 m/s and water at 56°F, while offshore readings from buoy 46002 sat at 54°F — right in line with the early upwelling season. The waning gibbous moon favors first-light bite windows. Rockfish and Pacific halibut are typical May targets on this coast, though the elevated swell is keeping most boats in the estuary corridor for now.
Rogue & Columbia Hit 60°F — Spring Chinook Window Fully Open at 17K CFS
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 60°F water temperature and 17,000 CFS on the evening of May 3, placing the region squarely in the productive spring Chinook temperature band heading into the first full week of May. Flows are running elevated — consistent with late-spring snowmelt — but 17,000 CFS remains in a fishable range with the right approach. Spring Chinook are the primary draw on both the Columbia and the Rogue right now; the April–June migration window is in full stride, and springer numbers typically build toward a mid-May peak. With water temps nudging 60°F, smallmouth bass are also pushing into pre-spawn staging mode. Wired 2 Fish reported this week that a swimbait-to-finesse combo — leading with a Berkley CullShad to cover water and locate structure-holding fish — is the most effective approach for pre-spawn bass, a technique that translates directly to the Rogue's rocky shallows. Oregon-specific intel was sparse in national feeds this cycle; conditions below are grounded in gauge data and seasonal baseline patterns.
Red River at 7 cfs as Eufaula Crappie Push Shallow Timber
USGS gauge 07247500 on the Red River is registering just 7.35 cfs as of early May 4 — notably lean for this stretch entering the post-spawn transition window. No in-lake temperature reading is available from gauges this cycle, but seasonal patterns place Lake Eufaula squarely in crappie-spawn territory, with fish typically pressing into shallow brush piles and flooded timber through early May. Wired 2 Fish's current coverage highlights comparable crappie stacking behavior at southern impoundments this week, with fish staging on shallow structure ahead of the full post-spawn pull-down. On the bass side, Wired 2 Fish breaks down a swimbait-and-finesse follow-up system for targeting spring bass near beds and shallow cover — a technique that maps directly onto Eufaula's main-lake flats and creek arms. The waning gibbous moon may slightly temper midday bed activity, making dawn and dusk the priority windows for shallow-water bass this weekend.
Lake Erie Walleye and Trophy Smallmouth Peak as May Spawn Takes Hold
Captain Joe Fonzi, featured on this week's On The Water podcast, spotlights Lake Erie as one of the country's premier freshwater destinations right now — a booming walleye fishery and trophy smallmouth population fueled by goby forage. No flow or temperature data is available from USGS gauge 03271601 this period, so anglers heading to the Ohio River should verify local conditions before launching. On the Lake Erie side, early May marks the tail end of the walleye spawn and the start of aggressive post-spawn feeding, typically a prime window. Wired 2 Fish reports that rising water temperatures are pushing bass shallow for the spawn region-wide, with a swimbait-to-finesse-bait sequence proving effective for locating bedding fish and triggering bites. The waning gibbous moon supports strong pre-dawn and early-morning feeding activity through the week. Both walleye and smallmouth on Lake Erie are at or near seasonal peak right now.
Red River at 54°F: Post-Spawn Walleye Feeding Window Is Open
USGS gauge 05054000 logged the Red River at 1,780 cfs and 54°F early Monday morning — a reading that typically marks the transition from walleye spawn to aggressive post-spawn feeding across the Red and Missouri River corridors. At this temperature, fish that burned energy on redds are actively replenishing, and current-adjacent structure — wing dams, rock points, and eddy lines — traditionally concentrates the most active biters. No regional charter, shop, or state-agency reports from these specific waters appeared in this reporting cycle, so direct bite-by-bite attribution isn't possible this week. What the gauge does confirm: a waning gibbous moon paired with 54°F water creates favorable low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Northern pike are operating in the same temperature band, and channel catfish are beginning to stir as daytime warming pushes surface temps toward the upper 50s. Confirm current seasons and limits with North Dakota Game and Fish before heading out.
Red Drum Surge Onto Hatteras Surf as OBX Water Hits 75°F
Water temperatures of 73–75°F, recorded this morning by NOAA buoys 41013 and 41025, have the Outer Banks in prime spring form. Ryan of Hatteras Jack, per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater, reports the surf at Hatteras and Ocracoke has come alive — red drum are making a strong push onto the beaches with good numbers showing along the full stretch of shoreline. Further south along the NC coast, Fisherman's Post also notes solid bluefish action nearshore near Morehead and Atlantic Beach, with early-season black drum and pompano appearing at Swansboro and Emerald Isle. Coastal Angler Magazine's May Crystal Coast update independently confirms spring fishing is now "in full swing" across coastal NC. Fisherman's Post additionally reports the NC Wildlife Resources Commission adopted a temporary sheepshead harvest rule for Joint Fishing Waters this season — check current regulations before keeping fish. The waning gibbous moon and light winds set up productive early-morning tide-change windows heading into the week.
Catawba Bass Locked on Beds as Roanoke Striper Window Narrows
USGS gauge 02142900 logged just 9.55 cfs on the Catawba drainage before dawn on May 4 — low, clear conditions that reward finesse presentations and long fluorocarbon leaders. Per Wired 2 Fish, this is prime time for targeting spawning bass: Brandon Coulter's two-bait system — a swimbait to locate bed fish near shallow structure, a finesse plastic to seal the deal — translates well to the skinny coves and laydowns across the Catawba reservoirs. Crappie are likely near their spawn-window peak; Wired 2 Fish documented a 4.10-pound slab from a Mississippi reservoir on April 24, illustrating the caliber possible when fish are staging, a pattern that mirrors typical early-May conditions in NC. On the Roanoke, On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map notes post-spawn females pushing out of the Chesapeake — a sign the Roanoke's spring striper run is entering its late-season window. Tonight's waning gibbous moon sets up strong low-light windows at dawn.
Striper Bite Building Across Long Island, Water at 51°F
Water temperatures at NOAA buoy 44065 have reached 51°F as of May 4th, right in the productive early-spring striper window, and the fishing is responding. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s April 30 Long Island forecast reports stripers now spread from the East End back bays to the South Shore surf and into the western bays, with schoolies and slot-size bass becoming consistent and larger fish pushing 30-plus pounds. Bunker schools are holding fish in place, and anglers are scoring on a mix of plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh chunks. On The Water's April 30 Long Island report confirms steady action for both boat and shore anglers, with bunker schools along the South Shore and into Long Island Sound doing the heavy lifting. The bite is most reliably tied to tide changes — get on the water when the current is running.
Hudson River at 55°F: Stocked Trout Prime, Walleye Season Opens on Finger Lakes
Water temps have climbed to 55°F at USGS gauge 01357500 on the upper Hudson corridor, placing the region squarely in prime spring feeding territory for trout while setting the countdown on the bass spawning transition. NY DEC's The Fishing Line (April 24th issue) confirms hatchery crews are actively transporting and stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout across New York — freshly stocked streams and pools are the most reliable path to consistent action right now for anglers working runs and eddies below stocking access sites. Equally significant: the statewide coolwater sportfish season opened May 1 per NY DEC, unlocking walleye fishing across the Finger Lakes for the first time this year. On the Hudson, On The Water's striper migration map from May 1 signals that post-spawn Chesapeake females are beginning their northward push — the corridor has been open since April 1 and conditions are tightening. The river is running at 4,850 cfs at the upper gauge (USGS 01357500) and 11,900 cfs downstream (USGS 01358000), manageable spring flows that keep most tributary access open.
Rio Grande at 127 cfs: Clear Water and Opening Caddis Hatches in New Mexico
USGS gauge 08330000 recorded the Rio Grande at 127 cfs as of the evening of May 3 — a moderate, clear-water flow setting up favorable wading conditions heading into the first week of May. No temperature data was returned from the gauge, though early May on New Mexico tailwaters typically puts surface temps in the mid-to-upper 50s°F. Hatch Magazine's recent deep-dive on caddis emergences is well-timed for this drainage: late April through early May marks the start of reliable caddis activity on both freestone and tailwater reaches across the state. On the San Juan tailrace, MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday flagged sparse midge-style patterns as the go-to for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits the San Juan almost year-round, and especially so now. The Waning Gibbous moon favors first-light feeding windows; plan to be on the water before sunrise for the most productive session of the day.
Stripers Pushing North and Bass on Beds as Delaware Flows Run Slim
USGS gauge 01408000 logged a modest 40.5 cfs at the top of the month, pointing to low, clear water conditions across Pine Barrens drainages — conditions that concentrate fish but demand lighter presentations. The big story this week is the striper migration: On The Water's May 1 migration map confirms post-spawn females are clearing the Chesapeake and pushing north along the coast and up tidal rivers, putting Delaware River fish within reach over the next two to three weeks. Meanwhile, Wired 2 Fish reports that largemouth bass are moving into shallow water as temperatures rise, staging near beds and responding well to a swimbait-to-finesse-bait combo — work the swimbait to locate fish, then drop back with a finesse plastic to seal the deal. Chain pickerel, a Pine Barrens staple, remain a consistent seasonal target in the dark, tannin-stained streams. The waning gibbous moon is past peak brightness, easing the overnight bite and opening a favorable window for daytime structure fishing.
Bass Pre-Spawn Underway: Merrimack at 133 cfs, Winnipesaukee Coves Warming
USGS gauge 01073500 recorded a flow of 133 cfs on the Merrimack watershed at 1:15 a.m. May 4 — moderate spring runoff pointing to stable, wading-accessible conditions on tributary streams. No water temperature data was available from gauges or buoys; mid- to upper-50s°F is typical for NH freshwater in early May, with sun-exposed shallows and protected coves running a few degrees higher than the main lake. Bass are the headliner right now. Wired 2 Fish this week outlined a swimbait-followed-by-finesse-bait approach for targeting pre-spawn and spawning fish near beds, stumps, and shallow structure — exactly the playbook that applies to Lake Winnipesaukee's warming coves and Merrimack impoundments. Cover water with a swimbait to locate and trigger reaction strikes, then seal the deal with a soft plastic finesse bait. Landlocked salmon and lake trout remain accessible in the lake's deeper column before summer stratification closes that window. A waning gibbous moon favors dawn and dusk activity over midday pushes.
Truckee River at 363 CFS as Sierra Snowmelt Season Gets Underway
USGS gauge 10311000 put the Truckee River at 363 CFS on the evening of May 3rd — moderate early-season flow marking the start of Sierra Nevada snowmelt. No water temperature was logged at the gauge this cycle; early May at this elevation typically puts surface readings in the low-to-mid 50s°F. No regional charter or tackle-shop intel reached our feeds this period, so the picture below draws on seasonal norms rather than direct angler testimony. At 363 CFS the river remains wadeable, though charged riffles demand caution. Trout concentrate in softer current pockets, behind mid-channel boulders, and along seam edges where the main flow slows — nymphing these transition zones is the go-to approach as aquatic insect activity builds through May. On Lake Tahoe, Mackinaw hold at relatively accessible depths in early May before summer thermal stratification pushes them to the deep. This narrow pre-stratification window is worth targeting on calm mornings before afternoon Sierra winds develop.
Platte River at 2,220 cfs: Spring Bass and Catfish Active in May
USGS gauge 06796000 recorded the Platte River at Leshara flowing at 2,220 cfs as of midnight May 4th — a moderate, accessible spring level with no water temperature data returned. No region-specific shop or charter reports appeared in this feed, but Wired 2 Fish notes that nationally, bass are actively moving shallow as spawning approaches, with anglers scoring on swimbait-and-finesse combos near bottom structure and bed staging areas. That pattern applies squarely to the Platte and Missouri flats as May opens. Channel catfish and white bass — the workhorses of Nebraska's spring river season — should be building toward peak activity as water temperatures climb through the upper 50s. The waning gibbous moon favors dawn feeding windows through the weekend. Absent local intelligence, conditions look typically productive for early May: manageable flows, warming water, and multiple species in active transition.
Yellowstone at 631 cfs: Pre-Runoff Trout Window Opens in Montana
With the Yellowstone River reading 631 cfs at USGS gauge 06043500 as of May 3, flows are on the moderate end for early May — a brief fishable window before snowmelt pushes the system into peak spring runoff. Water temperature data is unavailable from the gauge, but early May typically keeps this drainage in the 45–55°F range, cool enough to concentrate fish in seams and slower pools. Hatch Magazine's seasonal caddis emergence feature — which specifically references Yellowstone hatch patterns — notes that a working knowledge of aquatic insects meaningfully improves catch rates as hatches begin to ignite on warming afternoons. Field & Stream's aquatic insect primer this week covers all four trout-diet staples: mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges, each relevant across both the Yellowstone and Missouri tailwater right now. MidCurrent's tying content highlights low-light nymph patterns and bottom-bouncing streamers for technical, pressured water — techniques that map directly to current Missouri River conditions.
63°F Water Triggers Crappie Staging, Bass Bedding on Missouri Rivers
The Missouri River logged 63°F and 119,000 cfs as of early May 4 (USGS gauge 06934500) — a high but fishable flow that has fish keyed up across multiple species simultaneously. At 63°F, crappie are in prime spawn-staging mode; Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both documented heavyweight crappie stacking in shallow brush at this temperature range across the region last week, with limit catches common on guided trips. Bass — largemouth and Ozark smallmouth alike — are entering bed-fishing territory: per Wired 2 Fish, Brandon Coulter's swimbait-to-finesse sequence is dialed in for locating and triggering fish moving onto shallow structure without electronics, a tactic that translates directly to Ozark river eddies and backwater pockets. Elevated flows push river species off the main channel; target seams, wing dams, and flooded margins. On Ozark tailwater streams, MidCurrent and Hatch Magazine both flag May as peak caddis-hatch season — a critical window for trout anglers on spring-fed drainages.
Record Snook Near Pascagoula Signals Gulf Range Expansion
On April 21, kayak angler Matthew Mitchell set a new Mississippi state record for snook while fishing near Pascagoula Bay, landing the fish on a Z-Man soft-plastic mullet — a striking indicator of northwestward range expansion into Gulf waters, per Field & Stream. MS DMR confirmed to Field & Stream that snook are now establishing a foothold in the Pascagoula Estuary, east of Biloxi Harbor, driven by warming Gulf temperatures. NOAA buoy 42067, recorded early this morning, shows air temperatures near 70°F with light winds around 11 mph — comfortable conditions for nearshore and kayak work in the eastern Sound. Speckled trout, redfish, and cobia remain the seasonal core of the Mississippi Sound fishery in May, though no charter or tackle-shop reports from this cycle are available to rate their current bite activity independently. Anglers heading east should have a soft-plastic mullet rig ready — the Pascagoula Estuary is the place to be this week.