Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Full Moon Primes Crappie Spawn at Mosquito and Pymatuning
USGS gauge 03110000 on the Mahoning River logged 103 cfs on the morning of May 3, indicating stable inflows and steady reservoir levels at Mosquito Lake — solid conditions heading into the weekend. The full moon falls today, which historically triggers crappie to push tight to shallow wood and docks as water temperatures edge toward the mid-50s to low-60s°F range typical for northeast Ohio in early May. No local water temperature was available from this morning's gauge reading. The crappie-spawn trend is echoed across the country: Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both covered a 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Mississippi's Grenada Lake on April 24 by a guide who noted fish were "staging for spawning and heavyweight-limit catches are common." That same spawn impulse is active at Mosquito and Pymatuning right now. Target 2–5 feet of water over submerged brush and dock edges with small jigs tipped with minnows during dawn and dusk.
Western Basin Walleye Scatter Post-Spawn; Maumee Running 9,600 cfs
The USGS gauge on the Maumee River (site 04193500) clocked 9,600 cfs this morning — elevated tributary flow that pushes turbid water into the Western Basin and tends to scatter post-spawn walleye off their traditional nearshore staging areas. With the spawn typically wrapping up by late April in this fishery, early May finds fish in transition: dispersing from river-mouth flats and beginning to stage over the midlake reefs and shoals that define Western Basin summer patterns. On The Water's podcast this week featured Captain Joe Fonzi, who described Lake Erie's walleye fishery as "booming" — with goby-driven growth rates pushing average fish sizes higher — and noted that sonar work is increasingly central to locating suspended, open-water fish during transition windows. Tonight's full moon typically activates low-light feeding runs at dawn and dusk, making the brief windows around first and last light the most productive times to dial in your trolling spread or work a jig across the nearshore humps.
Spring Creek Running 98.8 cfs: PA Limestone Trout Enter Prime Hatch Season
USGS gauge 01546500 logged Spring Creek at 98.8 cfs at 8:45 a.m. this morning — a well-within-fishable flow holding the clear, stable water limestone streams are famous for heading into early May. No temperature reading was available at the gauge, but spring-fed limestone creeks in central Pennsylvania typically hold in the 52–58°F band at this time of year regardless of air-temperature swings, keeping brown and rainbow trout active and hatch activity building. Angler chatter on The Fly Fishing Forum this week includes a PA fly fisher reporting palominos, native brook trout, and rainbows already in hand this season, suggesting both stocked and wild fish are on the feed. Field & Stream's current guide to aquatic insect identification is well-timed: on Spring Creek and Penns Creek, matching the emerging hatches — particularly March Browns and early Sulphurs — is the dominant approach right now. Tonight's full moon may push prime feeding activity toward dawn and dusk windows.
Allegheny Surging at 32,700 CFS — Work Eddies and Seams for Early-May Trout
The USGS gauge (site 03036500) recorded 32,700 CFS on the Allegheny at 9 a.m. this morning — well above early-May norms — compressing quality holding water into back-eddies, bridge-piling slack zones, and tailwater pockets near dam structures. Wading is unsafe at these levels; boat anglers should plan for strong mid-channel push. PA fly anglers posting on The Fly Fishing Forum report palomino, native brook trout, and rainbow catches already this season, consistent with active spring stocking patterns across the state. No water temperature was available from the gauge today, but full-moon conditions tonight historically trigger extended low-light feeding windows for walleye in the Allegheny tailraces. Smallmouth bass are typically in pre-spawn staging mode along softer gravel margins by early May. Regardless of target species, structure that breaks current — bridge pilings, wing dams, boulder fields — is the highest-percentage play whenever the Allegheny is running this high.
Lake Erie Walleye and Smallmouth Peak as Full Moon Hits Presque Isle
On The Water's recent podcast with Captain Joe Fonzi — billed as 'the saltiest freshwater guide in America' — spotlights Lake Erie's walleye and trophy smallmouth as the standout story this spring, with goby-driven forage credited for above-average fish size and density across the lake. No surface temperature is confirmed today; USGS gauge 04213000 logged a tributary inflow of 449 cfs Sunday morning, and buoy feeds returned empty — so lake temps remain unverified. Early May typically places western Lake Erie in range for strong post-spawn walleye activity on the offshore bars and active smallmouth staging along the rocky nearshore structure around Presque Isle. Tonight's full moon extends productive low-light feeding windows — walleye are notorious for going on the feed at dusk and dawn under a full moon. No local charter or tackle-shop reports are in today's feed, but the Fonzi conversation on On The Water makes clear the Lake Erie fishery is running well above baseline this season.
Lake Erie Walleye & Smallmouth Firing as Water Hits 51°F Under Full Moon
Water temperature is reading 51°F at USGS gauge 04231600 this morning — right at the threshold where Lake Erie's walleye and trophy smallmouth shift into active feeding mode. On The Water's recent podcast episode featuring Captain Joe Fonzi spotlights the lake right now: Fonzi covers a booming walleye fishery and trophy-class smallmouth fueled by goby-driven forage growth, with forward-facing sonar as the key tool for locating fish. Tonight's Full Moon adds a productive low-light dimension; walleye are known to push shallow and feed aggressively under bright moon conditions, making dawn and dusk the premium windows this week. Tributary flows are elevated at 7,290 cfs per USGS gauge 04231600, which may push some turbid water into nearshore zones — fish could be staging slightly off inflow mouths on adjacent hard bottom waiting for clarity to improve. Overall, this is a high-potential early-May window: temps are in the productive range, the moon is aligned, and both walleye and smallmouth are positioned for action.
Moderate Catskills flows set up prime wade fishing for May hatches
USGS gauge 01413500 is pulling 290 cfs this morning — a strong but fishable mainstem flow — while gauge 01415000 reads a tighter 59.4 cfs, putting smaller tributaries in comfortable wading range. Neither gauge returned a water temperature today, but early May in the Catskills typically means low-to-mid 50s°F in mainstreams, right in the brown and brook trout feeding zone. Field & Stream recently highlighted the four aquatic insects that anchor a trout's May diet — mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges — and the overlap of those hatches makes this week historically productive on Catskills freestone water. Tonight's full moon will likely compress the surface bite to low-light edges; plan morning and evening outings accordingly. No NY-specific tackle shop, charter, or agency intel appeared in today's feed, so conditions here reflect gauge data and seasonal norms.
Salmon River at 278 CFS: Spring Steelhead Run Entering Final Weeks
The USGS gauge at site 04250750 recorded 278 CFS on the morning of May 3 — a moderate, wading-friendly flow as the spring steelhead run on the Salmon River enters its final weeks. Most migratory rainbows have pushed back toward Lake Ontario by now, but a trailing edge of fish typically holds in deeper pools and green-water pockets through mid-May, particularly with the full moon phase we're currently in spurring low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. No local charter, shop, or state-agency intel appeared in this cycle's data feeds, so conditions here reflect gauge readings and regional seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water reports — plan your trip accordingly and confirm with a Pulaski-area shop before launching. Resident brown trout become increasingly reliable targets as May progresses. Near Oswego, walleye activity at the river mouth and Lake Ontario nearshore typically picks up meaningfully as the lake transitions into its spring warm-up.
Early-May Runoff Watch: Wyoming's North Platte & Wind River Under Full Moon
Field & Stream's hatch guide for trout anglers landed at an apt moment for anyone planning a Wyoming trip this week: the USGS gauge at site 06259000 returned no live readings as of May 3, leaving exact flow and temperature for the North Platte and Wind River drainage unconfirmed. That silence from the gauge is itself a signal — early May in Wyoming is the inflection point between accessible spring water and peak snowmelt runoff, a window that can open and slam shut within days. Tonight's full moon will compress the best feeding activity into the low-light margins of the day, with trout tightening to cover under bright overnight conditions. If flows stay manageable, blue-winged olives and early caddis hatches are the flies to watch for on the North Platte's slower reaches — patterns that Field & Stream's current insect guide pegs as cornerstones of a trout's spring diet. Main-stem blow-out conditions remain possible; check gauge readings before driving.
Chain Pickerel State Record Falls Again in WV as Full-Moon Spring Peak Arrives
West Virginia's spring freshwater season is delivering record-caliber results. On April 21, Matt Born of Reedsville caught a 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound chain pickerel from a private Preston County pond — using a homemade spinner on 4-pound-test — edging out the state record he set in 2019, per Wired 2 Fish. That follows a golden trout state record on April 2, when 15-year-old Hunter Rohr landed a trophy on the South Branch Potomac at Smoke Hole using light spinning tackle and floats, per Outdoor Hub. USGS gauge 03051000 shows flow at 469 cfs this morning — moderate, wader-friendly levels indicating manageable conditions across WV's river system. With a full moon today, expect peak feeding windows around dawn and dusk, particularly for New River smallmouth bass entering the pre-spawn transition. The overall picture heading into this weekend is one of the more active early-May freshwater bites WV has seen in recent memory.
Spring Chinook Active at the Columbia Bar as Pacific Swells Top 7 Feet
Seas running 6–7 feet off Washington's Pacific coast are limiting offshore access this week, but spring chinook and coho are showing near Buoy 10 at the Columbia River mouth. Saltwater Sportsman reports anglers launching in the pre-dawn hours into an "armada of river sleds" working close-quarters drifts for kings and cohos — fish that, per the captain quoted, have never met their match at sea. NOAA buoy 46041 logged 7.2-foot wave heights and buoy 46087 clocked 6.6 feet, with air temps near 53°F and light winds of 3–4 m/s. No surface water temperature is available from offshore sensors this cycle. Full Moon tidal exchanges are running at their monthly peak, pushing strong current through channel mouths and rip lines — a historically productive window for salmon keying on tidal seams, both along the bar and throughout the inner Sound.
Columbia system at 53°F and 1,440 cfs — spring salmon timing window
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 53°F and 1,440 cfs this morning — temperatures that fall squarely in the prime window for spring Chinook and resident trout across Columbia system tributaries. Flows suggest moderate, fishable conditions on monitored reaches. None of this week's national fishing intel feeds delivered Washington-specific reports, but Field & Stream's current guide to aquatic insects notes that caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies form the backbone of trout diets — and early May on PNW freestone rivers is peak emergence timing for all three. Wired 2 Fish's recently published CrossCurrent GTX wader review was written explicitly for "icy steelhead runs," signaling that late-season steelhead opportunities remain on anglers' radar across Pacific Northwest drainages. Smallmouth bass enter active feeding mode above 50°F, putting Columbia basin canyon reaches in play. Check state regulations before harvesting salmon; spring Chinook seasons are typically quota-managed and dates vary by tributary.
Post-spawn stripers clearing the Chesapeake as water temps reach 51°F
Water temps registered 51°F at NOAA buoy 44009 on the morning of May 3, placing the Chesapeake mouth at the heart of the post-spawn striper departure window. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map puts it directly: the run "really snowballs once the large post-spawn females leave the Chesapeake" — and that timing is now. The Fisherman (Northeast) is tracking that leading edge up the coast, with Long Island reporting stripers into the 30-inch class and beyond, fish holding on bunker schools and responding to soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh chunks. New England is seeing fish from 25 to 40 inches described as "abundant and aggressive." Winds from buoy 44009 are running near 21 knots, creating marginal small-craft conditions, but the full moon is amplifying tidal exchange — the outgoing rips at the mouth are your prime window to intercept transitioning fish right now.
Striper Migration Peaks on Potomac; Flow at 3,920 cfs and Fishable
On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms post-spawn females are clearing the Chesapeake and pushing into tidal tributaries — including the lower Potomac — making this the prime window to intercept migrating rockfish before they scatter upstream. USGS gauge 01646500 puts Potomac flow at 3,920 cfs as of Sunday morning, a low-moderate reading that keeps water clarity favorable and wading accessible in upper reaches. Outdoor Hub reports that a 15-year-old angler broke West Virginia's golden trout state record on the South Branch of the Potomac on April 2, a signal that Potomac headwater tributaries have been holding trout solidly through late spring. With the Full Moon peaking today, feeding windows at dawn and dusk are historically strong — especially for smallmouth bass staging on riffles and transition edges in the Shenandoah Valley. The next 48–72 hours shape up as among the most productive of the early-May calendar for both trout and bass anglers working Virginia's freshwater river corridors.
Texas Lakes Hit 74°F as Full Moon Kicks Off Crappie Spawn
USGS gauge 08211200 logged 74°F water early this morning with flow running at a modest 32.4 cfs — a combination that puts Texas crappie squarely in spawn territory. Add the full moon overhead and you have a textbook trigger for crappie pressing into the shallows to bed. Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish both covered a 4.10-pound white crappie taken on April 24 at Grenada Lake in Mississippi, where guide Trent Goss was working staged fish with forward-facing sonar — a pattern nearly identical to what Texas reservoirs produce at matching water temperatures. Largemouth bass are simultaneously in or just past their own spawn at 74°F, with the post-spawn feed-up window opening on many lakes. Field & Stream's recent breakdown of crankbait selection is well-timed: squarebill and medium-diving crankbaits shine for bass moving off beds to chase shad. Conditions look stable, and the gauge reading suggests fishable levels throughout the region.
Post-Spawn Walleye Prime Window as Full Moon Rises on SD's Missouri River
USGS gauge 06440200 logged just 4.6 cfs at 6:30 a.m. this morning — very low flow on at least one South Dakota tributary — suggesting clear, possibly skinny water on feeder streams draining toward the Missouri River system. No South Dakota–specific reports surfaced in this week's national angler feeds; Wired 2 Fish, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Hub focused on records and gear stories from other regions, so conditions here are grounded in seasonal patterns rather than direct on-water testimony. That said, early May is historically one of the strongest walleye periods on the Missouri River impoundments as post-spawn fish regroup on main-lake points and current breaks. Tonight's full moon typically compresses walleye feeding into short, intense bursts at first and last light. In the Black Hills, spring trout season is in full stride; low, clear flows generally favor nymph presentations and small streamers fished deliberately in pocket water.
Charleston Harbor Water at 74°F as Carolinas Red Drum Push Tracks South
NOAA buoy 41004 clocked Charleston Harbor-area water at 74°F at midday Sunday — squarely in the range that triggers the Lowcountry's spring transition bite. Coastal Angler Magazine's Haddrell's Point and Tackle May report puts the season in an optimistic light, with Captain Mike Able noting that 'the month of May brings many opportunities to the outdoor enthusiast.' Regional intel from Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater backs that read: bull red drum are pushing hard onto North Carolina beaches from Hatteras through the Cape Lookout shoals, and that southbound migration pattern typically reaches Charleston-area inlets and creek systems within the same May windows. The full moon on May 3 is driving the strongest tidal exchanges of the month — a historically productive setup for redfish, sheepshead, and flounder staging behind structure. Wind was running near 15 knots as of midday Sunday; check the updated marine forecast before heading offshore.
Narragansett Bay striper push on: 25–40-inch fish from Jamestown to the Canal
Water temperatures in Narragansett Bay are holding at 48–49°F as of May 3 (NOAA buoys 44097 and 44085), and the striped bass bite has officially ignited. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported April 30 that a surge of bass has hit the Bay — fish described as 'abundant and aggressive,' running 25 to 40 inches with a few larger specimens already mixing in from Jamestown to the Canal. On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map confirms post-spawn females are still pushing north out of the Chesapeake, meaning this is the leading edge of a larger wave. Tautog are also in stride: The Fisherman (Northeast) notes solid shallow-water catches as the species enters its spring peak. With a Full Moon driving amplified tidal swings this weekend, expect bait to concentrate along rip edges and current cuts — prime conditions for the aggressive fish already in the Bay.
Susquehanna at 53°F and 26,000 CFS: Shad Run Peaks, Trout Active Under Full Moon
USGS gauge 01540500 clocked 53°F and 26,000 cubic feet per second on the Susquehanna at 7:30 this morning — a sizable spring pulse that tells two stories at once: flows are elevated enough to push most anglers off mid-river wading, but water temperature is squarely in the prime zone for trout and pre-spawn smallmouth. The Fly Fishing Forum logged a Pennsylvania angler's early-season catch — palomino, native brook trout, and two rainbows already in the net this season — consistent with what 53°F spring water typically produces on PA limestone and freestone streams. American shad, the Susquehanna's marquee May event, are expected to be in mid-migration at this temperature, though no charter or tackle-shop report from this specific system came through today. The full moon tonight adds a feeding-window bonus at first light and last light. Focus on eddy lines, tributary mouths, and slack water behind boulders where fish can hold out of the heaviest current.
Spring Chinook Season Peaks on Columbia & Rogue as Water Temps Hit 59°F
USGS gauge 14211720 clocked the water at 59°F in the early hours of May 3 — prime territory for the spring Chinook push that defines this time of year on the Columbia and Rogue systems. At that temperature, actively migrating springers are moving hard upriver, holding in current seams and deep tailouts and responding best to back-trolled plugs or drifted bait presentations. The full moon this weekend can amplify low-light feeding activity; dawn sessions are worth prioritizing over midday. None of the regional angler-intel feeds reviewed this cycle contained Oregon-specific reports, so current bite conditions, river clarity, and hatchery counts at the dam ladders are not available to confirm here. Conditions throughout this report are grounded in the gauge reading and seasonal norms typical for the first week of May in the Pacific Northwest. Check state regulations before heading out — Chinook gear rules and hatchery/wild designations vary by river section and can change mid-season.
Eufaula Crappie Spawn Peaks Under Full Moon; Red River at Low Flow
A 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Grenada Lake, Mississippi on April 24 — reported by Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish — signals exactly where Lake Eufaula anglers should be right now: locked onto crappie staging hard for the full spawn. Lake Eufaula is a structurally similar southern reservoir at comparable latitude, and this weekend's Full Moon puts the bite at a seasonal high point. USGS gauge 07247500 logged just 9.45 cfs at 6:30 AM Sunday — extremely low flow on the Red River drainage — concentrating catfish and bass in deeper bends and submerged timber. No water temperature reading is available from monitoring stations this cycle, but early May on these waters typically sees surface temps in the 65–72°F range, prime for nest-building crappie and recovering post-spawn largemouth. Low, clear river conditions also favor finesse and sight-fishing techniques. Check state regulations before harvesting any species.
Red Drum Surge Hits Hatteras Beaches as Water Temps Reach 74°F
Water temperatures at NOAA buoy 41025 registered 74°F on May 3, and the Outer Banks surf is producing. Ryan of Hatteras Jack reports that red drum have made a strong push onto the beaches along the Hatteras and Ocracoke stretch, with anglers finding good numbers in the surf, per Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater — the headline story on the Banks this week. Bluefish are also in the regional mix: Steve of Chasin' Tails reports good-sized fish active along the Morehead and Cape Lookout corridor. Atlantic bonito have been running well to the south, with Tex of Tex's Tackle noting excellent nearshore action near Wrightsville Beach in the 1–5 mile range. A temporary rule adjustment for sheepshead harvest in NC joint fishing waters has been recently adopted — verify current state regulations before targeting that species. Full moon conditions are driving strong tidal swings, a key factor for timing surf drum sessions. NOAA buoys 41025 and 41013 show winds of 8–9 m/s across the region.
Bunker Schools Fuel Long Island Striper Surge as Water Temps Hit 50°F
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44065 are holding at 50°F this Sunday morning — classic trigger territory for active spring stripers on Long Island. Per On The Water — New York / Long Island's April 30 report, bunker schools have spread through both Long Island Sound and the South Shore surf, and the striper bite has taken off over the past week with shore and boat anglers both finding steady action heading into this full moon. The Fisherman (Northeast) echoes that fish are now ranging from East End back bays to the South Shore surf and into the western bays, with consistent slots and fish reaching into the 30-inch-plus class. Plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh bunker chunks are all working, with the best windows tied to tide changes and bait concentrations. Tautog season is open, and NY DEC Saltwater Fishing and Boating confirms both scup and summer flounder seasons have kicked off for 2026.
56°F water temps greet walleye opener and striper push on the Hudson
Water temperature at USGS gauge 01357500 logged 56°F on the morning of May 3, placing the Hudson system in the sweet spot for spring trout and coolwater species. NY DEC The Fishing Line (April 24th issue) confirmed that hatchery staff have been actively stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout throughout the region — those fish are available now and likely staging in deeper pools along stocked streams. The coolwater sportfish season — covering walleye and related species — opened statewide on May 1, per NY DEC, making this the first weekend walleye anglers can legally target the Finger Lakes. On the Hudson, striped bass are in play: On The Water's May 1 migration map reports that the post-spawn push is building momentum as large females clear the Chesapeake. River flows are running elevated at 5,610 cfs (gauge 01357500) and 14,800 cfs (gauge 01358000), so targeting current seams and eddies will be key. Tonight's full moon extends feeding windows after dark.