Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Striper Vanguard Pushing North — Gulf of Maine at 44°F as Migration Rolls In
NOAA buoy 44007 read 44°F water off the NH coast on May 3 — right at the cold-water threshold where early stripers begin probing New England shores. The context from further south is encouraging: The Fisherman (Northeast) reports a surge of aggressive stripers flooding Narragansett Bay by April 30, fish running 25–40 inches, with scouts pressing into rivers and bays from Jamestown to the Canal. On The Water's May 1 migration map confirms the post-spawn push of large females is now snowballing northward out of the Chesapeake. For NH Seacoast anglers, that vanguard could reach Gulf of Maine inlets and tidal estuaries within days. Winds logged near 15 knots at buoy 44007 are keeping chop on open water — pick your launch windows carefully. The full moon is amplifying tidal flush through inlet mouths, a reliable early-season trigger that concentrates bait and bass in predictable ambush zones.
Merrimack Running 135 CFS Under Full Moon as NH Spring Salmon Window Peaks
USGS gauge 01073500 recorded 135 cubic feet per second on the Merrimack this morning — a moderate, wade-friendly flow that leaves the productive mid-river runs accessible and gives drift anglers clean lanes. No water temperature reading was available from today's gauge pull, but early May typically marks the inflection point from cold-water peak into pre-spawn warmup across the Merrimack watershed and Lake Winnipesaukee basin. Tonight's full moon (May 3) is worth planning around: landlocked salmon and bass historically feed hard through the overnight hours near this phase, setting up aggressive morning bites on May 4 and 5. Angler-intel feeds this cycle didn't surface NH-specific shop or captain reports, so species assessments below lean on seasonal norms and gauge data rather than fresh local testimony. Field & Stream's spring aquatic-insect primer published this week is a timely signal that mayfly and caddis hatches are accelerating across New England — fly anglers targeting trout and salmon on moving water should be matching the hatch right now.
Platte River at 2,200 cfs as Full Moon Kicks Off May Feeding Windows
USGS gauge 06796000 logged the Platte River at 2,200 cfs as of early morning May 3, putting river stage at a fishable moderate spring flow ahead of tonight's full moon. Water temperature readings were unavailable from this gauge cycle, though typical early-May conditions on the Platte and Missouri hover in the mid-50s to low-60s °F — prime range for post-spawn walleye and increasingly active channel catfish. This week's angler intel feeds carried no Nebraska-specific reports, so conditions here are drawn from gauge data and regional seasonal patterns. The full moon window — peaking tonight — historically triggers extended low-light feeding pushes on both rivers, with walleye and white bass especially responsive at dawn and dusk during peak phase. Access points along the lower Platte remain workable at current flow; the Missouri's deeper channel structure continues to hold fish through moderate spring stages.
Mississippi Snook Record Falls Near Pascagoula — Gulf Species on the Move
Field & Stream reported on April 21 that kayak angler Matthew Mitchell set a new Mississippi state record for snook, landing the fish near Pascagoula Bay on a Z-Man soft-plastic mullet. Per Field & Stream, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources confirms snook are expanding their range into the Pascagoula Estuary, east of Biloxi Harbor — a development pointing to shifting Gulf habitat conditions along the Sound. NOAA buoy 42067 logged 6 m/s winds and an air temperature of 69°F early this morning; no water temperature reading was available. Full Moon conditions this weekend drive strong tidal exchange across the Sound's grass flats and marsh edges, opening prime windows for speckled trout and redfish. Coastal Angler Magazine flags May as a standout month for scamp and king mackerel along Gulf coastal waters. All signs point to an active, multi-species bite this week.
Striper Migration Reaches Buzzards Bay as Cape Cod Bay Water Hits 47–49°F
Water temperatures of 47°F (NOAA buoy 44013) and 49°F (NOAA buoy 44020) recorded on the morning of May 3 confirm Cape Cod Bay is entering peak spring striper migration range. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported April 30 that stripers are 'abundant and aggressive' in Narragansett Bay — fish running 25 to 40 inches, with some larger bass mixed in — and cohorts are already pressing into neighboring bays. That same outlet's April 23 update had already flagged Buzzards Bay as upgraded from schoolies to fish in the mid-30-inch class, the classic prelude to fish spreading into Cape Cod Bay. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms the post-spawn push is snowballing northward. With the full moon producing the month's strongest tidal swings this weekend, the timing for active rip-line fishing is ideal. Tautog remain a secondary option; confirm current Massachusetts season parameters before targeting them.
Full Moon, Moderate Flows Set Up Prime Pre-Spawn Bass Bite in Central MA
USGS gauge 01111500 checked in at 102 cfs early this morning — a moderate flow keeping Central MA's larger river corridors in fishable shape. The smaller tributary gauge (01105500) showed a lean 19.4 cfs, suggesting some secondary streams are running low. Neither site returned water temperature data. No Central MA-specific angler reports came through this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here are grounded in gauge readings and regional seasonal patterns rather than live on-the-ground testimony. With a Full Moon falling today, bass across Central MA's warmwater ponds and river backwaters should be pushing onto shallow staging flats during low-light windows — classic pre-spawn behavior for early May. Field & Stream's current feature on aquatic insect identification is well-timed for local trout chasers: stonefly and early caddis activity is typical for Central MA streams this week, and a soft-hackle or bead-head nymph worked in the upper water column is the high-percentage call.
Post-Spawn Striper Exodus Underway on the Chesapeake; Water at 51°F
On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map signals the turn of the season: "the striper migration really snowballs once the large post-spawn females leave the Chesapeake," and NOAA buoy 44009 confirms we're squarely in that window with water reading 51°F Sunday morning. Winds were running around 24 mph with air temps near 48°F — expect a brisk, coat-weather day on the water. The wider Northeast corridor corroborates the momentum: The Fisherman (Northeast) reports aggressive stripers from 25 to 40 inches swarming Narragansett Bay and pressing into Long Island's bays and surf, with larger fish in the mix. That same migratory pulse originates from the Chesapeake's spring spawn — post-spawn cows are actively transiting the lower Bay and Bay mouth right now, moving north and out of the estuary. Full Moon tidal exchange is running at its monthly peak this weekend, concentrating bait and tightening the feeding windows that will define the bite.
Penobscot Running at 4,610 cfs as Spring Striper Migration Pushes North
The West Branch Penobscot is running at 4,610 cfs as of this morning (USGS gauge 01046500), reflecting robust spring snowmelt keeping water stained and current brisk throughout the upper drainage. Water temperature data is unavailable from this gauge, but flows at this level in early May typically translate to upper-40s°F conditions on the Penobscot system — check local reports for confirmed readings. On The Water's May 1 striper migration map confirms post-spawn striped bass are accelerating northward out of the Chesapeake, putting the first-wave push toward the Kennebec estuary firmly on the near-term horizon. For landlocked Atlantic salmon anglers on the Penobscot's catch-and-release stretches, high and colored water calls for swinging weighted streamers tight to slower seams and eddy lines rather than prospecting mid-current. Brook trout are entering a productive early-hatch window; mayflies and caddisflies are the key patterns to match on Maine rivers in early May, per Field & Stream's aquatic insect primer.
Louisiana Gulf Hits 78°F: Inshore Bite Building Under Full Moon Tides
NOAA buoy 42001 recorded 78°F water temperatures and 6.2-foot wave heights in the central Gulf this morning (May 3, 11:10 UTC) — warm for early May and a clear signal that Louisiana's inshore and nearshore fisheries are deep into spring mode. Buoy 42067 confirms lighter winds (6 m/s) further inshore on the shelf, though no sea-surface data is available from that station. Direct reports from Louisiana charter captains and tackle shops are absent from today's feeds, so conditions here are grounded in sensor readings and seasonal patterns rather than on-water testimony. The most proximate regional note comes from Field & Stream, which reported a new Mississippi state snook record set near Pascagoula Bay on April 21 — a reminder that warm-water species are pushing range-expansion boundaries just east of the Louisiana line. Tonight's Full Moon will amplify tidal flow through coastal passes, potentially triggering productive feeding windows at first and last light for inshore anglers.
Mississippi at 547K CFS: Full Moon Crappie Spawn Peaks in Atchafalaya
The Mississippi River is running 547,000 cfs at Baton Rouge this morning (USGS gauge 07374000) — high spring flow that steers productive fishing away from the turbid main channel and into the back lakes and flooded timber of the Atchafalaya Basin. No gauge water temperature is available for today's report. Regional crappie news adds encouraging context: per Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub, guide Trent Goss on Grenada Lake in north-central Mississippi landed a 4.10-pound white crappie on April 24, with heavyweight-limit catches described as routine as fish stage for spawning — forward-facing sonar was the tool of choice for locating staging fish. Today's full moon is a key biological trigger for sac-a-lait to move onto spawning beds in the Atchafalaya Basin. With no direct Louisiana on-water testimony this cycle, conditions below are synthesized from gauge data, that regional crappie pattern, and seasonal norms typical for early May in the lower Mississippi watershed.
62°F and 9,140 cfs: Kansas River Catfish Bite Sharpens Ahead of Spawn
Water temperature at USGS gauge 06892350 on the Kansas River registered 62°F this morning alongside a flow of 9,140 cfs — conditions that put channel catfish squarely in their pre-spawn feeding window. At this temperature, catfish move aggressively toward outside bends and current breaks ahead of a late-May spawn; cut shad and live crawfish are the classic presentations for this stage across Great Plains river systems. White bass, which typically complete their upstream run through the Kansas and Arkansas drainages in late April and early May, may still be catchable in faster tailouts and below wing dams. This week's national angler-intel feeds carried no Kansas-specific reports, so conditions here are read from gauge data and seasonal norms for the drainage. Tonight's Full Moon typically amplifies nighttime catfish and carp feeding activity — plan an after-dark session on a slower inside bend if flows allow safe bank access.
Illinois River at 51,900 cfs Under Full Moon; Crappie Spawn Pressure Building
The USGS gauge at site 05586100 recorded the Illinois River running at 51,900 cubic feet per second on the morning of May 3 — a high spring flow that pushes fish off main-channel banks and concentrates them in backwater sloughs, oxbow lakes, and slack eddies behind wing dams. No water temperature was available from the gauge. Direct fishing reports from Illinois waters were thin this cycle, but the broader picture carries signal: an On The Water podcast with Captain Joe Fonzi detailed goby-driven walleye and smallmouth growth across the Great Lakes, a dynamic in play along Lake Michigan's southern basin as temperatures climb through the 50s. Great Lakes Now covered a spawning-reef restoration project completed in Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron — part of a broader Great Lakes habitat investment as the basin-wide spawn season peaks. With a full moon today, crappie and white bass are expected to be staging on shallow floodplain structure, typical for early May in the Illinois River corridor.
Snake River Running 52°F, 16,100 cfs as Spring Chinook Season Peaks
USGS gauge 13340000 logged the Snake River at 52°F and 16,100 cfs early Sunday morning — conditions that place anglers squarely in the heart of the spring Chinook migration window on the Snake-Salmon corridor. At these flows the river is elevated but fishable, and 52°F sits in the temperature band that keeps spring kings actively on the move. No Idaho-specific charter or tackle-shop reports surfaced in this cycle's feeds, so species assessments here blend gauge data with seasonal patterns typical for early May in the region. Field & Stream's current guide to aquatic insects is timely context: stonefly and caddisfly activity on Idaho rivers historically ramps up right around 50–54°F, making drift nymphing and emerging-caddis presentations productive for resident rainbow and cutthroat trout on side-channels. A full moon this weekend typically compresses active feeding into low-light windows — plan your launch times around dawn and dusk rather than midday.
May Scamps and Kings Prime on Florida's Atlantic Offshore Grounds
Coastal Angler Magazine calls May 'very special' for scamp grouper and king mackerel along Florida's saltwater grounds — and the Full Moon this weekend adds tidal muscle to that window. NOAA buoys 41009 and 41008 are recording light-to-moderate winds of 8 and 6 meters per second respectively, with air temperatures ranging from 62 to 72°F — workable conditions for offshore runs when seas cooperate. Water temperature readings are unavailable from either buoy's current observation window. On the regulatory front, Anglers Journal reports Florida is actively pursuing state management of Atlantic red snapper, with a proposed 39-day recreational season that, if approved, would give Atlantic-side anglers a meaningful new targeting window. Snook are typically in their spring open period along the Atlantic coast through the end of May — confirm current state regulations before targeting them. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman highlights pitch-baiting as an effective technique when pelagics are working bait near the surface.
Gulf Waters Hit 75-77°F: Scamp Grouper and Kings Top the Early-May Offshore Lineup
NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 logged water temps of 75°F and 77°F respectively off the Florida Gulf Coast on May 3, placing nearshore conditions firmly in early-summer territory. Coastal Angler Magazine's May 2026 report frames the timing well: 'May has always been very special… I sold a lot of Scamps and Kings' — putting both scamp grouper and king mackerel at the top of the offshore target list. Kings are characteristically trailing bait pods along the shelf, and Saltwater Sportsman's pitch-baiting guide is well-timed: keeping a live bait ready to pitch at a surfacing king is the difference-maker in any trolling spread. Anglers Journal reports Florida is actively pursuing expanded red snapper management — a signal of robust fish numbers — but verify current regs before targeting snapper. Today's full moon will amplify tidal cycles over the next 48 hours, concentrating bait at passes and nearshore structure and opening prime feeding windows early and late in the day.
Delaware Bay Hits 52°F as Stripers Push Through and Black Sea Bass Season Opens
NOAA buoy 44009 is reading 52°F at the surface — right in the productive spring window — as Delaware Bay steps into one of its busiest regulatory weeks of the year. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s April 30 NJ/DE Bay Region forecast reports Delaware opened its black sea bass season on May 1st and New Jersey's fluke season follows Monday, May 4th, after the U.S. Department of Commerce greenlit the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework at NOAA Fisheries. Striped bass remain the headliner: On The Water's May 1st migration update notes post-spawn females are clearing the Chesapeake, and with the bay corridor running at 52°F, those fish are pushing north through the channel now. Winds are running stiff today at roughly 25 mph, so check conditions before launching. A full moon is driving maximum tidal exchange, stacking fish on current seams and rip lines — plan your windows accordingly.
55°F Connecticut River Temps Fire Up Pre-Spawn Bass and Hatch Season
Water temperatures have reached 55°F on the Connecticut River mainstem (USGS gauge 01184000), the inflection point that typically triggers committed pre-spawn bass staging and the season's first reliable insect hatches for trout anglers. Flows are elevated — the mainstem is running at 17,400 cfs — so expect off-color, pushed water in the main channel; a tributary system monitored by USGS gauge 01193500 is at a calmer 117 cfs and is the better near-term option for wading and clear-water presentations. On The Water's May 1 striper migration update reports that post-spawn females have left the Chesapeake in force, a surge that historically reaches Connecticut River corridors within one to two weeks. Trout anglers should note that Field & Stream's spring hatch guide identifies 50–60°F water as peak caddisfly and early mayfly emergence territory — a size 14–16 elk-hair caddis or hare's ear is a logical starting point. Tonight's full moon will concentrate feeding into low-light windows at dusk and dawn.
Colorado River at 57°F, 1,730 cfs: Trout Prime Before Runoff
USGS gauge 09095500 clocked the Colorado River at 57°F and 1,730 cfs early this morning — water temperature sitting squarely in the prime feeding zone for rainbow and brown trout ahead of peak spring runoff. No dedicated Colorado or Arkansas River fishing reports surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, but the gauge tells a useful story: mid-to-upper 50s water drives active subsurface and surface feeding, and tonight's full moon means first and last light will be your most productive windows. Field & Stream's aquatic-insect primer, current this week, flags caddisflies and mayflies as the backbone of a trout's May diet on freestone rivers — both the Colorado and Arkansas fit that profile exactly. Nymph and dry-dropper combos tracking the morning hatch are the logical starting point. As snowmelt builds through May, flows will likely climb; fish now while the Colorado holds manageable wading depth.
Central Coast Water at 56°F as Spring Upwelling Builds 5-Foot Swells
NOAA buoy 46042 recorded 56°F water off the Central Coast this morning, with neighboring stations 46028 and 46026 logging 58°F and 54°F respectively — a tight upwelling band consistent with early-May norms. Swells are running 4.9 to 5.9 feet across all three stations, and winds are holding light at 3–5 m/s, leaving a workable offshore window for boats willing to time the sets. No Central Coast-specific angler reports appeared in this week's intel feeds; species outlooks below draw on seasonal norms and the current buoy snapshot rather than fresh charter or tackle-shop testimony. Inshore sandy-bottom halibut fishing typically picks up in these temperature ranges as bait schools begin moving, and rockfish remain reliable over nearshore structure. Salmon season timing and daily limits should be confirmed against current California state regulations before planning an offshore run.
Full Moon Opens Prime Crappie Spawn Window on Arkansas Waters
A 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Grenada Lake on April 24 — reported by both Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish — signals the Mid-South spawn push is fully underway, and Arkansas reservoirs and river backwaters are typically on the same seasonal playbook by early May. USGS gauge 07263620 returned no live readings this period, leaving current flow and water temperature on the Arkansas system unconfirmed; verify conditions locally before launching. With a Full Moon peaking tonight, crappie are expected to press onto shallow brush piles and dock posts — conditions that historically produce quality fish on jigs and minnows. White River tailwaters below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams typically hold cold, consistent water off the generation gates this time of year, keeping trout active on midge and small nymph patterns. Bass on Arkansas River impoundments are generally entering the post-spawn transition; white bass tributary runs typically wind down in early May.
Colorado River Hits 54°F at Lees Ferry — Tailwater Trout Window Open
USGS gauge 09380000 at Lees Ferry clocked 54°F and 6,320 cfs early this morning — squarely in the optimal feeding range for rainbow trout on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. Flows at 6,320 cfs are moderate and manageable for drift-boat anglers, though wade-fishing mid-river is difficult at these levels. No AZ-specific tackle-shop or charter reports surfaced in this cycle's feeds, so conditions here are drawn from the gauge reading and what is expected for early May on this tailwater. Field & Stream's current aquatic insects primer is timely — midge and mayfly activity typically peaks on tailwaters in this temperature band, and matching the hatch with small nymphs or soft-hackle emergers is the standard play. On the Salt River corridor, the full moon is likely pushing largemouth bass toward pre-spawn staging and will activate channel catfish feeding windows after dark across the impoundments.
40–42°F in the Gulf: King Salmon Season Opens Under a Full Moon
NOAA buoys 46001, 46066, and 46080 are all reading 40–42°F across the Gulf of Alaska this morning — right in line with typical early-May conditions for these waters. Winds are running from a moderate 4 m/s at buoy 46066 to a brisker 10 m/s at buoy 46080, with air temperatures near freezing on the lower end; wave height data is currently unavailable from all three stations. No Gulf of Alaska–specific angler reports were available in the intel feeds for this edition, so species activity assessments below reflect seasonal and temperature-based expectations rather than direct on-water testimony. King salmon and Pacific halibut are both in their traditional early-season windows, and tonight's full moon will produce the strongest tidal exchanges of the monthly cycle — a timing factor that Gulf anglers traditionally plan around for both species.
Kenai Running Cold at 39°F — Trout & Grayling Lead the Early-May Window
USGS gauge 15266300 logged 39°F and 2,180 cfs on the morning of May 3 — cold, clear, and running at a pace consistent with the tail end of spring's low-water window before peak snowmelt builds. No Alaska-specific angler reports reached the major fishing outlets this week; national feeds were focused on the Atlantic striper migration and a Midwest crappie spawn at Grenada Lake. That leaves the gauge as the primary signal. At 39°F, king salmon have not arrived in numbers, and the late-May opener remains weeks out — check current state regulations before planning a king trip. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, however, are well within their productive cold-water range. Interior-river grayling are likely spreading from winter holds into side channels post ice-off. The full moon on May 3 typically extends low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk — early entry is worth the alarm clock.
72°F Water and Full Moon Signal Mobile Bay's Prime May Window
Water temps at NOAA buoy 42012 registered 72°F as of Sunday morning — squarely in the comfort zone for Mobile Bay's most-sought late-spring species. The full moon peaking this weekend amplifies tidal movement through ship channel cuts and grass flat edges, historically one of the most productive windows of the year for bay anglers. Winds are running 13–18 mph across both Gulf reporting buoys (42012 and 42040), enough to create a light chop but manageable for most bay and nearshore runs. One notable regional signal: Field & Stream reported on April 21 that a new Mississippi state snook record was set near Pascagoula Bay, just west of the Alabama line, with the species confirmed expanding into adjacent Gulf Coast estuaries — making soft-plastic mullet imitations worth carrying on any Mobile Bay outing. Scamp grouper and king mackerel are typical May performers in the Gulf, per Coastal Angler Magazine, with the season expected to offer improving offshore windows as spring conditions stabilize.