Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
50°F Water and Incoming Bunker Signal NJ Striper Peak at Raritan Bay
NOAA buoy 44065 recorded 50°F water off Sandy Hook on May 3rd — a threshold that historically kicks NJ's striper bite into high gear. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s NJ/DE Bay Region forecast out of Belmar brings additional good news: NJ's fluke season officially opens Monday, May 4th, with regulatory uncertainty resolved after NOAA Fisheries approved the Recreational Measures Setting Process. The larger striper picture is equally encouraging. On The Water's May 1st migration map shows post-spawn females pushing north out of the Chesapeake, while The Fisherman (Northeast)'s Long Island forecast confirms bunker schools are actively pinning 30-inch-class stripers along the western bays — fish that should push into Raritan Bay imminently. Per The Fisherman (Northeast), the strongest action is coming at tide changes, with plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh bunker chunks all producing. With fluke season opening and stripers arriving, this week represents one of the best entry points of the spring.
Fluke Opens May 4 as Delaware Bay Water Hits 51°F and Stripers Push North
NOAA buoy 44009 logged Delaware Bay water at 51°F on May 3 — right as multiple seasons converge simultaneously. The Fisherman (Northeast), reporting from the Belmar docks alongside the Ol' Salty II, delivers the week's headline: New Jersey's fluke season kicks off Monday, May 4th, after the U.S. Department of Commerce approved the NOAA Fisheries Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework — clearing any remaining regulatory uncertainty heading into the opener. Delaware's black sea bass season opened May 1st, with NJ's dates set to follow shortly; check current state regs for the NJ-specific opener. On the migratory front, On The Water's May 1 striper migration map reports the push snowballs once post-spawn females leave the Chesapeake, and Delaware Bay sits squarely in that northbound corridor. A full moon on May 3 drives powerful tidal exchanges through bay channel cuts and tributary mouths — prime conditions for the rip lines that stripers and weakfish favor. Winds logged near 10 m/s at buoy 44009 may push anglers toward sheltered back-bay pockets and creek mouths.
Swift River at 56.4 cfs: Quabbin and Wachusett Enter Early-May Prime Window
The USGS gauge on the Swift River (site 01174500) recorded 56.4 cfs at 9:30 a.m. May 3 — moderate, stable outflow indicating Quabbin Reservoir is holding steady as spring runoff tapers. No water temperature reading was captured at the gauge this cycle. The angler-intel feeds this week carried no reports specific to Quabbin or Wachusett Reservoirs; conditions below are grounded in that gauge data and typical early-May patterns for Central Massachusetts waters. On these protected watersheds, early May typically marks the tail end of the spring salmon-and-laker window, with landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout still hunting deep-water column edges before surface temperatures push into the 60s. Smallmouth bass are beginning to stage on rocky points ahead of the spawn, and yellow perch are in post-spawn recovery mode. The full moon this week historically compresses the best feeding windows into early-morning and last-light bursts.
Stripers Push Into Buzzards Bay as Water Temps Hit 49–50°F
Water temps of 49–50°F across the bay (NOAA buoys 44085 and 44020) signal an accelerating striper push into Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported on April 23 that conditions here had upgraded rapidly — schoolies giving way to mid-30-inch class fish within days, calling it a 'marker of the season.' That momentum is building: by April 30, The Fisherman (Northeast) was describing a striper surge in Narragansett Bay just to the west as 'abundant and aggressive,' with fish running 25 to 40 inches and larger bass in the mix. On The Water notes the broader migration is accelerating as post-spawn females push north out of the Chesapeake. Tautog are also hitting their spring stride in shallow water per The Fisherman (Northeast) — check current state regulations on season status before harvesting. Seas are running around 3 feet (buoy 44085) with winds near 18 mph (buoy 44020), favoring sheltered launch points.
Deschutes salmonfly window opens; Upper Klamath trout turning active
The Deschutes River's signature salmonfly hatch — one of the most storied emergence events in the Pacific Northwest — typically ignites in the lower canyon by late April and works upstream through mid-May. No flow or temperature data was returned by USGS gauge 14070500 at report time, so entry conditions on canyon wade sections cannot be confirmed; pull the gauge directly before committing to any stretch. Tonight's full moon (May 3) typically compresses prime trout feeding into low-light edges — first light and the hour before dark — which happens to coincide with peak hatch activity anyway, so time your wade accordingly. The Upper Klamath basin is in its late-spring transition, generally a productive window for redband and brown trout as runoff settles and water temps climb through the 50s. Field & Stream's current aquatic insect primer is a useful pre-trip refresher on the stonefly, PMD, and caddis patterns most relevant to both drainages this week. No regional shop or charter intel was available to confirm specific hot stretches at report time.
Spring Chinook Window Open as Columbia River Hits 54°F at 160,000 cfs
USGS gauge 14105700 recorded 54°F water and a flow of 160,000 cfs on the Columbia River early on May 3 — conditions that sit squarely in the productive range for spring Chinook (springers), which push upriver most aggressively when temps hold in the low-to-mid 50s. No Columbia River-specific charter, shop, or agency reports appeared in angler-intel feeds this cycle; conditions and timing windows below are grounded in gauge data and established seasonal patterns for this region. A full moon overhead shifts bite windows toward low-light periods — early morning and the last hour before dark are worth prioritizing. Flows at 160,000 cfs indicate active spring snowmelt; anglers should monitor gauge 14105700 for rapid rises that can push salmon off the bite and concentrate fish near slack-water eddies and current seams along the main channel.
Yakima at 2,700 cfs — Stillwater Lakes Are the Best May Trout Bet
USGS gauge 12484500 logged 2,700 cfs at 6:15 a.m. on May 3rd, signaling active spring snowmelt runoff across Eastern Washington's river systems. At that volume, rivers are running fast and likely off-color, pushing trout tight to slower bank eddies and behind structure. No water-temperature reading was available from the gauge, though early May typically places river temperatures in the upper-40s to low-50s°F range in this corridor. None of this week's angling feeds — Wired 2 Fish, Field & Stream, On The Water, or Outdoor Hub — carried Eastern Washington-specific reports, so conditions here reflect seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. The full moon tonight can compress feeding windows; dawn and dusk are the prime slots. Area stillwater lakes, less affected by runoff turbidity than river systems, typically offer the most consistent trout access right now, with rainbows staging along drop-offs and walleye active along evening shorelines.
Spring Chinook Push Begins as OP Rivers Hold at Moderate Flows
USGS gauge 12041200 is logging 1,550 cfs this morning (May 3), with a second Olympic Peninsula gauge (site 12035000) reading 833 cfs — both within the fishable range typical for early May on these river systems. Water temperatures were unavailable from either gauge. The angling-intel feeds pulled for this report focused almost exclusively on East Coast and Midwest fisheries; no Olympic Peninsula–specific shop, charter, or agency reports were included in this pull. Based on seasonal patterns typical for this time of year, spring Chinook salmon are the primary draw right now, with the initial push generally building through May and into June on OP rivers. Spring steelhead fishing is at or near the tail end for most systems. Tonight's Full Moon may concentrate salmon movement into low-light windows — plan to be on the water at first light. Float fishing with prawns or spinners is the conventional spring Chinook approach on these rivers; verify current state regulations before heading out.
Gulf Temps at 77°F Put Scamps and Kings in Full Swing off Destin and Pensacola
Water temps of 77°F at the outer Gulf buoy and 72°F at the nearshore Pensacola-area station — per NOAA buoys 42039 and 42012 — are squarely in the zone for peak Panhandle May fishing. Coastal Angler Magazine puts it directly: May is the month for scamp grouper and king mackerel, with the author noting historically strong catch rates on both species at this point in the season. Winds are running around 18 knots at the offshore buoy, so check sea conditions before committing to longer offshore runs. Full moon this weekend amplifies tidal exchange through Destin Pass and Pensacola Bay entrances — plan bite windows around low-light periods at dawn and dusk, when current is moving and predators are most active. One emerging note from Field & Stream: a new state snook record was set near Pascagoula in late April, with biologists confirming the species is expanding its range eastward along the Gulf coast — Panhandle nearshore structure and passes are worth a second look.
Tampa Bay & Sarasota: Gulf temps hit 75°F as tarpon season peaks in May
NOAA buoy 42036 logged 75°F surface water Sunday morning, with buoy 42013 confirming 77°F just offshore the prior evening — both readings firmly in the temperature range that powers Tampa Bay and Sarasota's best inshore action. Winds running 10–11 m/s (roughly 22–25 mph) per both buoys will push anglers toward protected backcountry bays and lee-shore flats rather than open Gulf runs. Tonight's full moon brings heightened tidal swings; snook and tarpon typically stage hard on outgoing flows near passes, bridges, and creek mouths under these conditions. Coastal Angler Magazine's May issue highlights scamps and kingfish as Gulf standout targets this month — a pattern consistent with what structure anglers typically encounter on the mid-shelf reefs accessible from this region. No direct Tampa Bay captain or tackle-shop feeds came through in this cycle, so species assessments reflect buoy data, seasonal norms, and Gulf-wide intel rather than on-the-water eyewitness reports.
Florida Keys: 78°F Water and Full Moon Align for Peak Tarpon Window
Water temps at 78°F, logged by NOAA buoy 41114 on April 26, place the Florida Keys squarely in the heart of its most-anticipated flats window. The current full moon amplifies the opportunity — peak lunar tides historically push tarpon in concentrated schools across channel edges and backcountry flats, and upper-70s water is the sweet spot for that migration. Offshore, buoy 41114 reported wave heights of 2.3 feet, manageable conditions for runs beyond the reef line. No Keys-specific charter or shop reports came through in this cycle's feeds, so species assessments below reflect seasonal patterns rather than direct on-water testimony. That said, Saltwater Sportsman's current feature on pitch-bait technique for billfish is directly applicable to Keys sailfish and blackfin tuna scenarios. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that May is prime time for king mackerel along the Gulf-adjacent coast — a pattern that typically holds in Keys waters as well.
76°F Water and Full Moon Prime Lower Laguna Madre for Spring Inshore Push
NOAA buoy 42020 clocked 76°F water temps in the southern Gulf on May 2, with buoy 42043 confirming that same surface reading on May 3 — warm, favorable conditions for the Lower Laguna Madre's signature spring inshore fishery. Offshore caution: buoy 42020 also recorded 9.2-foot wave heights, indicating rough Gulf seas that could complicate navigation near South Padre's open-coast launches. The protected laguna itself should be largely insulated from that chop. A full moon today sharpens tidal movement and compresses the prime bite into early-morning and late-afternoon windows. No regional charter, shop, or state agency reports specifically covering Lower Laguna Madre or South Padre surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so the species assessments below draw on water-temperature and seasonal patterns typical for this stretch of the Texas coast in early May rather than direct on-the-water testimony.
Crappie Spawn Peaks Under Full Moon at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Flow on the Sabine River above Toledo Bend registered 2,520 cfs at 7:45 a.m. Sunday (USGS gauge 08030500), pointing to moderate inflow and stable reservoir conditions heading into the weekend. No surface temperature reading was available from the gauge, but early May typically puts East Texas lake temps in the upper 60s to low 70s°F — squarely within peak crappie spawn range. Across the broader region, both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub reported a 4.10-pound crappie at Grenada Lake, Mississippi (April 24), where fish were actively staging for spawning; Wired 2 Fish described the lake as "on fire with big crappies" with heavyweight-limit catches running common — a strong regional signal for what to expect at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn under this weekend's full moon. Largemouth bass are likely transitioning out of the spawn and moving to secondary structure along channel ledges.
Full Moon Opens Crappie Spawn Window on Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
USGS gauge 08158000 logged the Colorado River at 146 cfs early Sunday morning — stable, moderate inflow that keeps Hill Country lake levels steady and preserves the water clarity anglers depend on during the spawn push. No temperature reading came through the gauge, but early May typically puts Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan in the 65–70°F band, historically the heart of crappie spawning season for this chain. This week, Wired 2 Fish reported that crappie across the broader South were actively staging for the spawn — guide Trent Goss on Grenada Lake in Mississippi was logging heavyweight-limit slabs as fish stacked on shallow structure — and that same full-moon trigger fires reliably on Hill Country reservoirs each May. Largemouth bass are broadly in post-spawn recovery: females have moved off beds to deeper transition zones while males may still be guarding fry in the shallows through early week.
54°F at the Gate: Full Moon Spring Tides Set Up Nearshore Rockfish Window
NOAA buoy 46026 logged 54°F water at the Golden Gate approach this morning alongside 4.9-foot swell and light winds near 3 m/s — workable conditions for runs to nearshore reefs. NOAA buoy 46013 off the Bodega Coast shows slightly heavier 6.6-foot seas and air temps around 52°F (11.3°C), nudging coastal departures toward the calmer early-morning window before afternoon sea breezes build. Our angler intel feeds carry no direct charter or shop reports specific to this region this week, so species-activity ratings below reflect seasonal norms rather than fresh on-water testimony. That said, early May in the SF Bay–Bodega corridor typically marks the transition into prime nearshore rockfish fishing, with California halibut beginning to stir in Bay channels and striped bass staging along Delta and estuary edges on strong tidal flows. Today's Full Moon is driving the year's largest tidal exchanges — plan drifts around peak tidal movement for the best shot at structure-holding fish.
Channel Islands Water Hits 61–63°F as SoCal Spring Offshore Season Opens
NOAA buoy 46221 logged 61°F water off the LA Bight on May 3, while buoy 46025 came in at 63°F with winds barely above 1 m/s — a light-air, settled day that keeps offshore runs viable across the region. The 2.3-foot swell at 46221 sits well within range for most trailered boats and sportfishing vessels working the Channel Islands corridor. No Southern California–specific angler reports appeared in this week's intel feeds, so conditions here draw on buoy readings and established early-May patterns for the region. The 61–63°F band sits right at the lower edge of yellowtail's preferred thermal window; white seabass are historically in full kelp-corridor spawn mode through May; calico bass are at their spring peak on shallow structure. Full Moon tonight drives strong tidal exchange and can compress daytime bites — experienced captains often shift effort toward first-light and dusk windows when lunar pressure is highest. Saltwater Sportsman's recent pitch-bait primer is a timely refresher before any offshore foray.
Stonefly Season Arrives in the Eastern Sierra as Full Moon Peaks
With USGS gauge 10265200 returning no live readings this cycle, real-time flow and temperature data for Eastern Sierra trout waters is unavailable. That said, early May is historically one of the most productive transition windows on the Eastern slope — snowmelt typically begins receding, water temperatures are on the climb from winter lows, and aquatic insect hatches accelerate noticeably. Field & Stream's recent trout angler's guide to aquatic insects highlights that stonefly and caddisfly activity leads late-spring surface fishing, with midge presentations remaining reliable during slower daytime windows. Tonight's full moon is worth factoring in — trout feeding often intensifies at dawn and dusk around peak lunar phases. No specific angler-intel from Eastern Sierra waters came through this cycle; reach out to local fly shops or consult state fishing reports before your trip for current runoff levels and access conditions.
Little Fork at 1,600 cfs — Iron Range Pike Active Ahead of Walleye Opener
The USGS gauge on the Little Fork River (site 05129115) logged 1,600 cfs at 7:30 a.m. May 3 — a robust spring runoff pulse keeping tributary mouths stirred and off-color across the Iron Range. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge; typical early-May readings for this northern Minnesota drainage run in the upper 30s to low 40s°F. None of this week's angler-intel feeds specifically covered the Boundary Waters or Iron Range — sources focused on Atlantic striper migrations and Gulf-state crappie records instead. Based on seasonal patterns typical for early May in northern Minnesota, northern pike are the most accessible quarry right now, cruising shallow bays as they recover from spawning. Walleye are staging ahead of what is typically Minnesota's mid-May opener — verify 2026 exact dates with state regulations before heading out. Tonight's Full Moon is likely to extend active feeding windows at dusk and dawn.
Temperance River at 156 cfs — North Shore Tributaries in Prime Spring Window
USGS gauge 04015330 on the Temperance River clocked 156 cfs Sunday morning — a moderate, wading-friendly flow that keeps tributary channels accessible for anglers targeting the tail end of Minnesota's spring steelhead run. Early May on the North Shore is historically the back half of that run, when fish that entered in April are pushing the farthest reaches of reachable water. The full moon this weekend typically compresses feeding into low-light bookends — first and last light are worth setting an alarm for. Water temperature wasn't captured in Sunday's gauge read, but Lake Superior tributaries typically sit in the low-to-mid 40s°F at this stage of the season; slow your drift presentations accordingly. Worth noting: none of this week's regional angling feeds carried direct North Shore shop or charter reports, so species outlooks below reflect seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-water testimony.
WI Northwoods Walleye Opener Weekend: Full Moon Marks Early-May Kickoff
Wisconsin's Northwoods walleye opener weekend arrived under a full moon on May 3 — historically one of the most favorable timing combinations of the early season. USGS gauge 05400650 returned no live readings this update cycle, so confirmed water temperatures are unavailable; typical early-May conditions across Northwoods lakes put surface temps in the upper 40s to low 50s°F, with walleye either wrapping the spawn or entering the post-spawn feeding surge. On The Water's recent podcast with guide Joe Fonzi highlighted a booming walleye fishery on Lake Erie driven by shifting baitfish forage — a regional freshwater signal worth noting. The full moon tends to push walleye onto shallow rock reefs and gravel points during the low-light window from sunset through midnight. Northern pike are also expected in shallow bays in post-spawn feeding mode, and yellow perch should be schooling on the same rocky transitions. Check current state regulations for slot limits and bag limits before harvesting.
Full Moon Opens Early May Window for Door County Browns and Sheboygan Perch
Great Lakes Now this week spotlighted reef restoration across the Great Lakes basin aimed at boosting native fish spawning habitat — a fitting backdrop for early May on Lake Michigan's Door County and Sheboygan stretch. Brown trout are typically holding within casting range of shoreline structure as surface temps climb through the mid-40s to low 50s°F, and yellow perch are staging in shallower water ahead of their annual spawn. No buoy readings reached our feeds this week, and no charter or tackle-shop reports from this specific stretch appeared in this cycle. The full moon (peak May 3) historically triggers increased fish movement during low-light periods, so dawn and dusk sessions near rocky points, pier ends, and tributary mouths offer your best odds. Treat the seasonal baseline as the working picture until local reports surface — but the calendar is squarely in Door County's favor right now.
Ontonagon River at 1,040 cfs as UP Streams Enter Prime May Trout Window
The USGS gauge on the Ontonagon River (site 04059500) logged 1,040 cfs Sunday morning — a strong late-spring pulse that's keeping most UP mainstream wading reaches tricky but funneling fish tight to current breaks, inside bends, and the slack water behind larger boulders. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge; typical early-May UP conditions place river temps in the low-to-mid 40s°F range. No charter or shop reports specific to Lake Superior or UP trout streams surfaced in this week's feeds, so the picture here draws on gauge data and seasonal norms. Field & Stream's recent aquatic insect guide is a timely reference: mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges form the four pillars of a trout's spring diet, and all four typically begin activating on UP freestone streams through May. Late-run steelhead, resident brook trout, and early brown trout are the primary inland targets right now, while lake trout remain a consistent draw on Lake Superior's deeper nearshore structure.
Saginaw Bay Walleye Stir as Channel Island Reef Enters First Spawn Season
Per Great Lakes Now, a restored spawning reef at Channel Island in Saginaw Bay completed construction last October and is entering its first active season — timed precisely with early May's prime walleye and yellow perch window. No water temperature readings are currently available from USGS gauge 04157000, but surface temps in the bay typically push into the low-to-mid 50s°F by the first week of May, a range that triggers post-spawn walleye recovery feeding and pulls perch onto shallower structure near rocky reefs and flats. The full moon this weekend compresses the best feeding windows tightly around dawn and dusk; anglers targeting walleye should prioritize those low-light margins. No current charter or tackle-shop reports are available in this feed for Lake Huron or Saginaw Bay specifically — check local shops near the bay for real-time bite intel before launching.
Grand River at 6,310 CFS: Full Moon Sets Up May Walleye Window
The Grand River is pushing 6,310 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of this morning — above a typical early-May baseline and enough to keep water stained through the river mouth into Lake Michigan. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports for the Grand Haven corridor surfaced in today's regional feeds, so species status in this report is grounded in seasonal expectation rather than fresh on-water testimony; treat conditions as estimates until local intel updates. With the full moon peaking today (May 3), walleye anglers should prioritize the current seams where the river meets the lake tonight and through the weekend — lunar peaks historically align with aggressive feeding windows for Great Lakes walleye. Great Lakes Now noted this week that fish-spawning habitat restoration work is advancing in the broader Great Lakes system, a positive longer-term signal for forage and gamefish populations throughout the region. Steelhead runs in lower Michigan rivers typically thin out considerably through the first week of May.