Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Spring Rockfish Window Opens on CA Central Coast as Water Hits 57–60°F
NOAA buoy 46042 off Monterey is logging 57°F water this morning — right in the band that historically draws nearshore rockfish into active spring feeding along the Central Coast. Buoy 46028 reads a touch warmer at 60°F, while all three offshore stations report wave heights between 5.2 and 6.9 feet, pushing most boats toward protected kelp edges and bay flats rather than deep offshore runs. Light winds of 2–3 m/s keep morning launches manageable for prepared vessels, but swell height will be the day's governing factor. Worth noting: this reporting cycle's angler-intel feeds contained no direct coverage for CA Central Coast waters, so species outlooks below reflect typical early-May patterns for this stretch rather than confirmed captain or tackle-shop reports. Rockfish and lingcod are in their traditional prime window; halibut are worth targeting on sandy bay flats. Verify salmon regulations before targeting — season structure on this coast changes frequently.
Delta Water Hits 66°F: Stripers and Largemouth Enter Peak Spring Window
USGS gauge 11447650 recorded Sacramento River water at 66°F and 12,400 cfs at Freeport as of May 3 — solidly in the preferred feeding range for both striped bass and largemouth as the Delta enters its most active spring window. Striped bass typically push into the mid-Delta in post-spawn consolidation this time of year, and at 66°F they should be feeding actively on threadfin shad along current seams and channel edges. Largemouth bass are likely on or wrapping up their spawn at this temperature, with fish holding tight to tule margins and protected backwater coves. No Sacramento-Delta-specific reports appeared in this week's monitored angler-intel feeds — conditions assessments here draw on gauge data and patterns typical for early May in this region. The waning gibbous moon supports strong low-light feeding windows. With moderate main-channel flow, target current breaks and calmer backwater sloughs for the best action.
Crappie Spawn Push Arrives; White River Trout Active in Early May
Across the mid-South, crappie are moving hard into their spawn — both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub reported a 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Grenada Lake, Mississippi, on April 24, a strong indicator that the spawn push is now rolling into Arkansas waters at similar latitudes. No live data returned from USGS gauge 07263620 this cycle, leaving White River flows and water temperatures unconfirmed; verify conditions directly at the gauge before launching. The waning gibbous moon this week aligns historically with active crappie on beds in the shallows of reservoirs and slower river backwaters. Trout on the White River's tailwater stretches are typical for early May — consistent dam-release flows tend to keep water cool and fish in a feeding posture through most of the daylight hours. No Arkansas-specific charter, shop, or agency intel was captured in this cycle's feeds, so anglers should treat the regional crappie signal as directional rather than confirmed-local.
Colorado River at Lee's Ferry: 55°F Tailwater Hits Prime Range as Flows Hold at 8,140 cfs
USGS gauge 09380000 put the Colorado River at 55°F and 8,140 cfs on the evening of May 3 — textbook conditions for the Lee's Ferry tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam, where rainbow trout thrive in the 50–60°F sweet spot. Flows are within the typical operational range for this stretch, with current seams and mid-channel cushions likely concentrating fish in predictable lies. No Arizona-specific reporting appeared in the current angler-intel feeds, so species assessments below draw on the gauge reading and established seasonal patterns for this fishery rather than on-the-water captain or shop reports. On the Salt River arm of the system, largemouth and striped bass typically grow increasingly active through May as reservoir surface temps climb toward the mid-60s. A waning gibbous moon this week opens productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk — historically prime timing for streamer and topwater presentations on both systems. Confirm current Glen Canyon Dam release schedules before heading to Lee's Ferry, as dam operations can shift flows with little notice.
Gulf of Alaska at 40–42°F: Halibut Season Underway as Spring Winds Hold Steady
NOAA buoys 46001 and 46066 are logging 40°F surface water across the Gulf of Alaska this morning, with buoy 46080 reading a slightly warmer 42°F at its station. Winds are running 6–8 m/s across all three stations — brisk but workable for offshore-capable vessels. Angler-intel feeds included in this report carry no Gulf of Alaska–specific dispatches this cycle; the outlook below draws on typical early-May patterns for these waters. Pacific halibut are the headline saltwater target in the Gulf right now, with the halibut season typically in full swing by this point and fish expected to be holding on deep rocky structure. King salmon returns are building toward their late-May through June peak, with encounters expected to increase through the rest of the month. Water in the low 40s tends to keep fish tight to bottom and favors slower, vertical presentations over fast-moving retrieves. The waning gibbous moon typically brings moderate tidal swings and productive dawn bite windows.
Kenai flowing at 2,140 cfs and 40°F — king season two weeks out
The USGS gauge at site 15266300 recorded 2,140 cfs and 40°F water temperature on May 3rd — cold, clean pre-runoff conditions on the Kenai system. King salmon (Chinook) are still weeks from their early-run arrival; rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are the primary targets right now. No sport-angler reports from AK freshwater guides, shops, or charters came through this cycle, so conditions below reflect gauge data and typical seasonal patterns for this region. Outdoor Hub reports Alaska's commercial fishing market is recovering strongly, with spring halibut fetching a record $9.25 per pound in Homer and Seward — the highest price ever recorded — a positive economic backdrop heading into the sport season. Interior rivers are finishing ice-out, opening grayling and northern pike water to early-season anglers. At 40°F, nymphing egg and bead patterns in deep pools and along structure is the most reliable approach for rainbow trout before runoff turbidity arrives.
Mobile Bay Hits 72°F as May Cobia Migration Peaks Along the Alabama Gulf Front
NOAA buoy 42012 logged 72°F water temps in the northern Gulf on the morning of May 4, putting Mobile Bay and Alabama's nearshore waters firmly in range for one of the coast's most productive spring windows. Light wind readings — 5 m/s at buoy 42012 and a calm 2 m/s at buoy 42040 — suggest manageable nearshore conditions. While direct captain and tackle-shop reports specific to Mobile Bay are thin in today's feeds, 72°F water in early May is right on schedule for the Alabama Gulf coast's signature cobia run, with fish historically moving along beach fronts, nearshore artificial reefs, and up into the bay following stingrays and large baitfish. Field & Stream documented a new Mississippi state record for snook caught near Pascagoula Bay — directly east of Mobile Bay — on a Z-Man soft-plastic mullet on April 21, a signal that snook are actively pushing into northern Gulf estuaries and worth adding to your May watch list.
Coosa at 4,430 cfs as early May bass and crappie season shifts gears
USGS gauge 02339500 recorded 4,430 cfs on the Coosa on May 4, putting the river at a moderate, fishable level to open the month's first full fishing week. No water temperature was available from the gauge; mid-to-upper 60s°F are typical for this corridor in early May. Direct Alabama-specific angler reports were sparse this cycle, but mid-South regional intel is encouraging: Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish both covered a 4.10-pound crappie landed at Grenada Lake in Mississippi on April 24, where guide Trent Goss reported fish staging ahead of the spawn on a 35,000-acre reservoir — a pattern that mirrors conditions typical of the Tennessee and Coosa embayments at this time of year. On the Tennessee and Coosa, largemouth bass are likely working through the post-spawn transition, with females retreating to deeper structure while males guard fry in the shallows. Catfish and hybrid striped bass typically build momentum through May as water warms.
Yellowstone hits 56°F — 2,910 cfs flow signals pre-runoff trout window
Water temperature at USGS gauge 06192500 is holding at 56°F with flows running at 2,910 cfs as of the afternoon of May 3 — a healthy early-May reading that puts Yellowstone-region cutthroat and brown trout squarely into active feeding mode. None of the current major angling publications carried Wyoming-specific reports this week, but the gauge data tells an encouraging story on its own. At 56°F, trout metabolism is climbing and aquatic insect activity is accelerating; Field & Stream's current coverage on trout-stream entomology identifies mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges as the four insect groups that form the core of a trout's diet right now, making hatch-matching and nymph presentations the logical starting point. Flows at 2,910 cfs indicate snowmelt is actively building — anglers targeting Snake River Teton stretches should look for slower seams and back-eddies as mid-channel currents push hard.
White River Tailwaters at 68°F: Low Generation Warms Trout Water
USGS gauge 07060710 logged 68°F water and just 8.7 cfs on May 3 — near-zero-generation conditions signaling the dams are not actively releasing and downstream flow has dropped to a trickle. At 68°F, water is pressing toward the upper edge of trout's comfortable feeding range (typically 50–65°F); fish tend to retreat to the deepest, coldest pools and compress feeding into early-morning and late-evening windows. No regional charter, shop, or agency reports in this week's angler-intel feeds specifically addressed Bull Shoals or Norfork conditions. Field & Stream's trout insect guide notes that mayflies, caddisflies, and midges form the core of a tailwater trout's spring diet — hatches of all three are typical on Ozark rivers in early May. In low, clear water like this, lighter tippets and smaller nymph or emerger patterns are the conventional choice. A waning gibbous moon may briefly extend feeding activity around dawn. Monitor dam generation schedules before wading — flows can jump dramatically when turbines kick on.
Smokies Trout Prime Window: 60°F Water and May Hatches Converge
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 60°F water and a 223 cfs flow on the afternoon of May 3 — conditions that place Western NC mountain trout squarely in their most active feeding range. At 60°F, rainbow, brown, and brook trout shift into sustained all-day feeding mode rather than seeking thermal refuges in deeper pools. Field & Stream published a timely trout-insect primer this week, noting that mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges form the backbone of a trout's diet — and all four groups are in meaningful emergence in Southern Appalachian freestone streams through May. Flows at 223 cfs indicate manageable, wading-accessible conditions at most stream reaches. The waning gibbous moon supports strong feeding pushes at first and last light. This is one of the better early-May setups we're likely to see in the Smokies corridor before summer temperatures push water into the upper sixties and beyond.
Crappie Spawn Peaks on SML and Buggs Island; Stripers in Post-Spawn Feed
The Roanoke River above Buggs Island is running a moderate 443 CFS as of May 3 (USGS gauge 02075045), keeping lake levels stable and shallows in fishable condition. No direct water-temperature reading was available from local sensors, but early May typically puts both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island in the low-to-mid 60s°F — textbook crappie spawn territory. Wired 2 Fish reported crappie staging heavily for spawn at Grenada Lake on April 24, with guide Trent Goss describing heavyweight-limit catches as fish moved to spawning structure; the same post-full-moon congregation pattern is expected at VA flatwater reservoirs this week. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map highlights a post-spawn feeding surge underway across the mid-Atlantic — landlocked stripers at SML and Buggs Island typically mirror this active feeding window. Look for largemouth on spawning beds and catfish working current seams in the main-lake channel.
Gulf temps at 77°F open prime May window for Panhandle offshore action
NOAA buoy 42039 logged 77°F water in the east-central Gulf on May 3, with the inshore-trending buoy 42012 reading 73°F — a 4-degree spread suggesting a forming thermocline and baitfish stacking along the temperature break. Seas are running at 3.6 feet with winds light at 3–5 m/s, keeping the offshore window workable for the Destin and Pensacola fleets. Current angler-intel feeds don't include Panhandle-specific charter or tackle-shop reports this cycle, so this update leans on buoy readings and seasonal norms: early May is historically the peak of the cobia migration through the Panhandle corridor, with king mackerel and Spanish mackerel keying on threadfin herring along nearshore structure and hard-bottom ledges. Red snapper are active on natural and artificial reefs ahead of the federal season opener — anglers should verify current federal and state dates before keeping fish. The waning gibbous moon is dimming topwater surface windows overnight, pushing the prime bite into the mid-morning hours.
63°F Water in the LA Bight: Light Seas, Spring Bite Building
NOAA buoy 46025 and 46221 are both reading 63°F as of Sunday evening, with 2-foot seas at the Santa Monica Bay station and light winds near 4 m/s from the outer bight buoy — conditions that make for a comfortable run to the Channel Islands or nearby kelp structure. Angler-intel feeds this cycle did not include SoCal-specific charter or shop reports, so species assessments draw on seasonal water-temperature patterns rather than direct on-water testimony. At 63°F, white seabass are squarely in their prime spring staging window — this temperature range historically produces the best kelp-edge and rocky-cove action of the year ahead of the spawn. Calico bass should be reliably active across nearshore structure. Yellowtail remain a wildcard: water needs to push closer to 65–68°F before they show consistently, but early scouts are possible near warm-water eddies. Check current charter and tackle shop boards for the latest on-water intel before heading out.
Crappie Moving Shallow at Mosquito and Pymatuning — Early May Spawn Window
USGS gauge 03110000 on the upper Mahoning River recorded 99.5 cfs on May 3, indicating stable tributary flows feeding into Mosquito Lake — no flooding signals that would cloud up the shallows. No local water temperature data is available at this time. On The Water's podcast this week spotlighted a Lake Erie guide breaking down the region's trophy smallmouth and walleye fishery to the north, a positive indicator for northeast Ohio fish productivity overall. Closer to the calendar, Wired 2 Fish reports crappie staging aggressively for spawn at Grenada Lake in late April — a seasonal pattern that mirrors what Mosquito and Pymatuning anglers typically see in early May. Dock pilings, flooded timber, and shallow brushpiles in 4–8 feet are the targets, fished with a slip-float and crappie minnow or a light 1/32 oz jig. Walleye at Pymatuning are likely in post-spawn transition, with low-light windows offering the best chance at active fish.
103 cfs and Prime Hatch Timing on PA's Spring Creek & Penns Creek
USGS gauge 01546500 clocked the Spring Creek drainage at 103 cfs on the evening of May 3 — a manageable, fishable flow that puts limestone trout anglers in a solid position heading into the most productive weeks of the Pennsylvania season. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge, but these spring-fed streams typically hold in the mid-40s to low-50s°F regardless of air temperature swings. With the Waning Gibbous moon overhead and classic early-May timing, Spring Creek and Penns Creek are entering the heart of hatch season. Field & Stream's current aquatic-insects primer for fly anglers highlights exactly what's in play now: mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges form the cornerstone of a trout's spring diet. No tackle shop or captain reports specific to these Centre County waters came through our feeds this week — so arrive at the water early, watch the surface during the evening rise, and let what's hatching guide your fly selection.
Texas Waters Hit 78°F — Bass Post-Spawn, Crappie on Structure
USGS gauge 08211200 logged 78°F water temperature and 32.4 cfs flow on May 3, placing Texas rivers and reservoirs firmly in post-spawn bass territory. Largemouth that have finished spawning are retreating to deeper structure — main-lake points, submerged timber, and channel edges — where crankbaits and soft plastics in crawfish and shad patterns typically draw strikes. Field & Stream's current crankbait coverage highlights medium- and deep-diving models for exactly this seasonal transition. No Texas-specific charter or shop reports surfaced in this week's feeds, but a 4.10-pound white crappie landed at Grenada Lake in Mississippi — covered by both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub — signals that crappie across the South-Central region are at or near the end of their spawn cycle, a pattern consistent with what Texas reservoir anglers typically encounter in early May. The Waning Gibbous moon favors dawn and dusk windows over midday sessions.
Susquehanna at 54°F, Running High — Smallmouth Pre-Spawn Window Opens
The West Branch Susquehanna at Lewisburg registered 54°F water temperature and 24,800 cfs on the afternoon of May 3, per USGS gauge 01540500. That flow is running well above seasonal norms, limiting wading access on most sections. The upside: 54°F puts smallmouth bass squarely in pre-spawn staging range, with fish gravitating toward depth breaks and current seams before moving onto gravel. Walleye on the Allegheny are likely transitioning out of their spawn into a post-spawn feeding window. For trout anglers, 54°F sits in the heart of active emergence territory for the mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges that Field & Stream's spring aquatic-insect primer identifies as the four pillars of a trout's diet. No direct reports from Pennsylvania guides, shops, or state agency updates appeared in today's feeds; conditions here are drawn from the USGS gauge reading and established seasonal patterns for this drainage. A waning gibbous moon favors first-light sessions.
Salmon Biting Hard Near Astoria as Oregon Coast Water Hits 54–57°F
Saltwater Sportsman reported active chinook and coho salmon at Buoy 10 on the Columbia River, with Capt. Hugh Harris running clients out of Astoria and Warrenton into willing fish. NOAA buoy 46029 at the Columbia River Bar measured 57°F water and 7.5-foot swells Sunday evening; offshore station 46002 read 54°F with seas running 10.8 feet — both temperatures are firmly in the productive range for Oregon Coast salmon, but the swell will dictate who gets out. Winds were running 10 m/s at buoy 46002 and 6 m/s at buoy 46029. Smaller vessels face a difficult bar crossing; river sleds and larger charter boats working the lower Columbia are better positioned right now. The waning gibbous moon is driving strong tidal movement — timing your troll or drift to coincide with flood and ebb transitions should help anglers maximize their time on the water.
Columbia & Rogue Hit 59°F: Spring Chinook Window Open as Flows Reach 22,200 cfs
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 59°F water and 22,200 cfs on Sunday afternoon — squarely inside the temperature band that drives active spring Chinook migration on Oregon's Columbia system tributaries and the Rogue. Elevated flows favor boat anglers over waders on main-stem stretches; expect turbid water on outside bends where snowmelt sediment concentrates. No charter, shop, or state agency reports for this corridor reached our feeds this cycle, so specific bite-condition testimony is absent — conditions here are drawn from gauge data and established early-May patterns for the region. Spring Chinook are seasonally positioned to be the headline fishery; summer steelhead are building through May; smallmouth bass on the Rogue's middle reaches will be transitioning off winter lies as surface temps approach the low 60s. Rogue tributary dry-fly fishing should also be entering its prime window as May caddisfly and stonefly hatches intensify. Verify current retention rules with ODFW before keeping fish.
Red River at 54°F, 1,850 cfs — Walleye Post-Spawn Feed Underway
USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River at Fargo logged 1,850 cfs and 54°F water temperature as of Sunday afternoon — a moderate, fishable flow well below flood stage, with water sitting squarely in the walleye post-spawn feeding window. At 54°F, walleye that finished spawning in the shallows are pushing back to current breaks, wing dams, and deeper channel edges to restore condition. Northern pike are similarly in their aggressive post-spawn feed phase. None of this week's national angler-intel feeds carried specific ND or Red/Missouri River reports, so conditions here are drawn from the gauge reading and what is typical for early May on these systems. Channel catfish are beginning to stir as river temps approach the 55–60°F activation band. On the Missouri River tailwaters, sauger and walleye are typically active around this flow regime. Check state regulations for current size and bag limits before heading out.
Stripers Stacking on South Shore Bunker as LI Water Hits 51°F
Water at NOAA buoy 44065 is reading 51°F as of May 3 — right in the sweet spot for an active striper bite across Long Island. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s April 30 Long Island forecast confirms fish are 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 into the 30-inch class and beyond to 30-plus pounds. Bunker schools are the key driver: On The Water — New York / Long Island reports pods locked in both Long Island Sound and the South Shore surf, anchoring stripers in place. Anglers are connecting on plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh chunks, with the best action reliably tied to tide changes. With the full moon just passed and a waning gibbous overhead, the post-peak tidal windows are primed for the next few days of strong action.
Walleye Season Opens May 1 with Hudson at 57°F and Stocked Trout Biting
Water temps on the Hudson are reading 57°F (USGS gauge 01357500, May 3) right as New York's coolwater sportfish season opened statewide on May 1 — the biggest calendar turn of the spring. Per NY DEC The Fishing Line (April 24th issue), walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge are now legally in play for the first time this year across Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes waters. Spring trout stocking is running simultaneously: DEC hatchery crews have been actively transporting brook, brown, and rainbow trout since mid-April. Inland trout season has been open since April 1 (per the March 27th Fishing Line). At 57°F, water is squarely in the feeding zone for trout and beginning to warm into walleye territory. The Hudson is flowing at 4,870 cfs at gauge 01357500 and 13,100 cfs at downstream gauge 01358000 — elevated spring levels but well within fishable range at most access points.
Ohio & Cumberland Crappie Enter Peak Spawn Window; Flow at 453 cfs
USGS gauge 03301500 logged 453 cfs on May 3rd — the only direct data point for Kentucky's river network this cycle, with water temperature unavailable. No KY-specific shop, charter, or agency reports surfaced in this update, but national fishing coverage offers meaningful seasonal context: both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub report crappie actively staging for spawn on southern reservoirs through late April into early May, with heavyweight slab limits becoming common as fish push into shallower structure. That same transition is typical for the Ohio and Cumberland River systems in Kentucky at this time of year. Catfish should be trending toward peak feeding as water temperatures climb through the mid-60s. Bass fishing typically holds strong through the spawn window, particularly in the protected coves off the Cumberland's impoundments. Anglers targeting these rivers right now should prioritize shallow timber and flooded creek mouths.