Fishing Reports

A new shellcracker record fell on Lake Tugalo on May 20: Phil Black of Clarkesville landed a 2-lb, 3.26-oz fish on a worm, signaling that bream remain locked on spawning beds across the upper Savannah chain (GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News). The broader Hartwell and Russell fishery is tracking in classic late-May post-spawn form. Both Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing and GA Sportsman report panfish and bass biting well as of May 22–23. A 6-lb largemouth was boated during a night trip on a topwater Jitterbug, confirming the low-light bite that typically opens once bass clear the beds. The Savannah River at Clyo is holding steady at 3.0 feet, and USGS gauge 02192000 puts upper-basin flow at 1,540 cfs, stable conditions that should keep forage concentrated. Rain is in the forecast for the coming week, which may temporarily stain water but could also trigger active feeding pushes.

2d ago

The Sacramento River is carrying 71,300 cfs through the Delta system this morning per USGS gauge 11455420, reflecting an elevated late-May snowmelt pulse that is pushing turbid water into the main channels. Angler chatter on The Fly Fishing Forum reports the American shad run firing hard on Delta-tributary rivers: one fly angler tallied more than 20 fish to the net in just two evening hours on the American River, with a bonus 30-inch Sacramento pikeminnow that burned backing twice on a 6-weight. Late May is the classic peak window for shad through this corridor, and high flows tend to extend the run by keeping fish staging longer than in dry years. For bass, Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn breakdown describes the current phase well: some fish are gorging aggressively while others are shallow and spooky. We're seeing the interior sloughs offer the cleanest water and best fish-holding conditions right now. Seek current relief behind island points and tule lines.

2d ago

The USGS gauge 09234500 recorded 1,210 cfs and 51°F on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam at 8:30 a.m. on May 25, a moderate and fishable release that keeps wading accessible across most A-section access points. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carry specific reports from the Green River tailwater, so these conditions are read directly from gauge data and late-May seasonal norms for this fishery. At 51°F, trout metabolism is running well: cold enough to keep fish in feeding mode without the summer-heat sluggishness that arrives later in the season. Midge patterns remain a tailwater staple; Flylab (Substack) contributor John Juracek notes that trout eat midges across all life stages, larvae, pupae, and adults, regardless of competing hatches. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage flags midge-style patterns that excel in the clear, pressured water of tailraces, pointing squarely at what the Green River demands of visiting anglers this week.

2d ago

The Salt River registered 88.4 cfs this morning at USGS gauge 09498500, a low and stable late-May flow that leaves Roosevelt Lake's coves clear and fishable. Wired 2 Fish describes the current post-spawn dynamic directly: some largemouth are gorging aggressively on shad spawns and baitfish concentrations near shallow structure, while others have gone spooky off the beds and will reject big, fast presentations entirely. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn work on comparable warmwater fisheries shows swimbaits, chatterbaits, and finesse setups producing in rotation as conditions shift throughout the day. On the topwater side, Justin Lucas via Wired 2 Fish highlights low-light windows at dawn and dusk around reeds and dock edges as the prime trigger period, with loud presentations drawing reaction bites. No temperature reading is available from today's gauge data. Late May at Roosevelt Lake typically puts surface temps in the upper 70s to low 80s°F, conditions that align well with the two-camp post-spawn behavior both sources describe.

2d ago

No reading registered on USGS gauge 09421500 at press time, leaving conditions here to seasonal inference. Late May marks the close of the spawning window on Lake Mead and the lower Colorado corridor — the transition point when stripers abandon the shallows and begin aggressively foraging threadfin shad over main-lake structure. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown, written for warmwater bass but broadly applicable in pattern, notes that fish in this phase split between "super aggressive, gorging themselves on shad" and spooky shallow-water mode — a dual personality worth anticipating on Mead. No regional charter, shop, or agency report appeared in this cycle's feeds. The standard late-May tactic is topwater before the Nevada sun climbs, transitioning to blade baits or jigging spoons at 30-to-50-foot depths by mid-morning. With Memorial Day weekend bringing heavy recreation traffic, expect pressured fish to condense their feeding windows to first and last light. Verify current conditions locally before launching.

2d ago

Water temps on the Osage River system checked in at 67°F via USGS gauge 06934500 on May 25, placing Lake of the Ozarks squarely in post-spawn transition territory for largemouth bass. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn bass split into two camps: some gorge aggressively on shad and bream-bed activity, while others hang shallow and spooky, reluctant to commit to bigger presentations. Anglers should read each bank before settling on a single approach. Tactical Bassin highlights the Neko rig as a reliable closer for finicky post-spawn fish; worked on fluorocarbon around dock structure and laydowns, it produces results shallow, deep, and around cover. For active fish, low-light shallow topwater remains a strong call. Wired 2 Fish covers Justin Lucas's technique of working loud surface baits over grass, reeds, and dock edges during calm dawn and dusk windows. Elevated Osage River outflow may push fish toward protected coves and away from current-exposed main-lake banks.

2d ago

USGS gauge 05344500 clocked 21,700 cfs on the Upper Mississippi at Prescott this morning, signaling elevated but fishable late-spring flow as walleye and bass move into post-spawn feeding mode. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn bass run the gamut right now: a portion are "super aggressive, gorging themselves on shad spawns," while others stay shallow and finicky — both populations likely present simultaneously across the pools. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is dedicating coverage to "May Walleye Craziness" this week, and AnglingBuzz features guide Jason Freed breaking down slip bobber rigs and big-water walleye tactics — both strong indicators that walleye-sauger are in active feeding mode across Upper Midwest river systems. Fishing the Midwest notes that large rivers "can provide some outstanding fishing action" at this point in the season, with shallow-water casting approaches working well on flats and backwater cuts. Water temperature is unavailable from today's gauge; target eddy slack zones behind wing dams where warmer pockets tend to concentrate fish.

2d ago

Root River Rod Co's pine squirrel jig, spotlighted this week by MidCurrent as a go-to Driftless streamer built to bounce rocky bottoms without hanging in tight, technical water, captures the current moment on Wisconsin's spring-fed limestone streams. USGS gauge 05407000 returned no live readings at report time; anglers should pull current flows directly before wading. What context we do have points squarely at a late-May sweet spot: MidCurrent's water-column roundup notes that hatches are beginning to fire, with patterns covering every feeding lane from surface film to open water now carrying real weight. Flylab underscores the evergreen value of midge imitations, with larvae, pupae, and adults all taken freely by trout. Hatch Magazine's spring creek skills piece is a timely reminder that soft, drag-free presentations matter most on the flat, clear currents the Driftless is known for. Sulphur and caddis emergences are typical for the final week of May; plan for evening risers on the slower flats.

2d ago

USGS gauge 05133500 recorded 53°F and 26,700 cfs on the Rainy River system as of May 25 — conditions that mark the classic post-spawn window when walleye and sauger transition from spawning areas back to early-season feeding edges. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is headlining current coverage as "May Walleye Craziness," with a recent trip to a Canadian walleye camp suggesting the northern-border bite is running strong. AnglingBuzz features guide Jason Freed's slip-bobber rig setup for walleye as a go-to early-season producer, alongside big-water walleye tactics directly applicable to LOtW's open basins. Fishing the Midwest notes that jig-and-live-bait rigs remain the spring backbone on Midwestern walleye systems, with shallow flats holding fish through low-light windows. Strong river flows will concentrate walleye on current seams and inside bends. Northern pike are typically active post-spawn at these temperatures, and sauger remain a consistent Rainy River target on deeper ledges and current breaks.

2d ago

Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is headlining their latest walleye content 'May Walleye Craziness,' a framing that fits Mille Lacs Lake's late-May profile: post-spawn walleye transitioning off spawning reefs and feeding with renewed aggression. AnglingBuzz (YT) contributor Jason Freed has been demonstrating slip-bobber rigs built for big-water walleye, a presentation well-matched to Mille Lacs's shallow rock-to-sand flats. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is also running content on trolling for shallow walleye and underscores the current value of monofilament in live-bait setups. No water temperature reading is available from our gauge (USGS 05227530) as of May 25, and no Mille Lacs-specific charter or tackle shop reports are in the current feed, so bite detail is inferred from regional signals. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are present as secondary species on Mille Lacs; neither appears in the current angler-intel feed. The First Quarter moon supports low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.

2d ago

Water at 57°F per USGS gauge 04232050 puts Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles squarely in the post-spawn transition window for bass. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn fish run the full behavioral spectrum right now, with some gorging aggressively on available forage while others hug shallow cover and refuse fast, bulky presentations. Tactical Bassin points to finesse approaches, specifically the Neko rig and paddle-tail swimbaits, as reliable producers when power-fishing stalls in clear-water conditions like these. Topwater is worth working at first light around dock edges and emerging weedlines; Wired 2 Fish flags low-light periods as the prime surface-strike window during this phase. Deeper on Cayuga and Seneca, lake trout are likely transitioning toward summer depth as the thermocline begins to set up, and walleye remain in late-May patterns on Seneca. No Finger Lakes-specific charter, shop, or agency reports landed in this week's intel feed, so treat the lake trout and walleye calls here as seasonal inference rather than direct testimony.

2d ago

Androscoggin headwaters flows checked in at 221 cfs on the morning of May 25 (USGS gauge 01054200) — a moderate, receding spring pulse that keeps river reaches accessible for wading anglers. No water temperature is recorded at the gauge, but late May at Rangeley elevations typically sits in the upper 40s to low 50s°F, a sweet spot for brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon before summer heat arrives. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) noted above-average snowpack from the 2025–26 winter, which likely extended spring runoff compared to recent drought-affected years; their early spring 2026 report placed Maine pond ice-out around April 4th, putting the region roughly seven weeks past ice-out as of this writing. No guide or shop reports from the Rangeley area appeared in this week's intel feeds — anglers should contact local outfitters for current bite conditions before making the drive. First Quarter moon this week favors dawn and dusk feeding transitions.

2d ago

The upper Penobscot is flowing at 1,340 cfs as of May 25 per USGS gauge 01030500, reflecting late-spring runoff that is still elevated but tapering. This flow stage traditionally concentrates predators along current seams and drop-offs entering deeper pools. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. Direct on-water reports from Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot corridor did not appear in this cycle's feeds, so conditions here draw on the closest available context. The Fisherman (New England Freshwater) is tracking steady trout action across the Northeast on inline spinners and small swimbaits, a pattern that typically extends into Maine's coldwater systems at this latitude. Late May is historically prime time for landlocked Atlantic salmon and togue on Moosehead before summer stratification sets in. Smallmouth bass on both systems are likely moving toward pre-spawn staging areas as water temperatures inch upward. Verify current harvest regulations before keeping fish.

2d ago

The Winnipesaukee River outlet registered 1,660 cfs on May 25 (USGS gauge 01081000), reflecting solid lake levels heading into Memorial Day weekend. Bass are the headline species right now: The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports largemouths across comparable New England lakes are "proving trickier to entice than they were in prespawn" as spawning gets underway, while a regional shop in the same outlet describes smallmouth and largemouth action as "steadily improving" as water temperatures slowly climb. Keitech swim baits, Lunker City paddletails, and live shiners are the top producers on regional bass lakes per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater; an angler in that same report pulled largemouth to 6 pounds on wakebaits after dark at a comparable southern New England lake, a twilight pattern worth testing on Winnipesaukee's protected coves. Lake trout and landlocked salmon typically retreat toward thermocline depth this time of year as surface temps approach seasonal highs. Yellow perch remain a consistent option near weed edges and rocky structure.

2d ago

Water temperature hit 51°F at USGS gauge 04294500 on May 25, placing Lake Champlain's smallmouth bass squarely in pre-spawn territory. Smallmouth typically begin bedding when temps climb past 55°F, so this week finds fish schooled on transitional rock-and-gravel structure, feeding aggressively before the move to spawning grounds. Tactical Bassin notes that in clear northern fisheries comparable to Champlain, prespawn smallmouth school together on staging flats and points, making them receptive to swimbaits and blade baits that cover water efficiently. Regionally, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports bass action "keeps steadily improving" as waters warm, with Keitech-style swimbaits and paddletails producing alongside live shiners. Landlocked salmon, which thrive in water below 55°F, should be actively feeding near surface and mid-column. No specific Champlain-basin charter or shop intel surfaced this cycle; the outlook draws on regional NE freshwater reports and gauge data.

2d ago

Colorado Trout Hunters reports one of the best spring migratory trout runs on the Dream Stream section of the South Platte in recent memory, with large lake-run fish rewarding experienced, mobile anglers. USGS gauge 06701900 recorded 161 cfs on the morning of May 25, lean flows consistent with what Cutthroat Anglers describes as a 'historically bad' Colorado snowpack season. The upside: low, clear water is concentrating fish into defined seams and feeding lanes, and anglers who adjust are finding willing trout. Cutthroat Anglers' Matt Campanella notes that anglers willing to hike a bit further or cast a bit lighter are capitalizing on grouped fish. Pat Dorsey reports the unusually warm early season has the river 'waking up earlier than normal,' with reliable midge hatches firing across all life stages: larvae, pupae, and adults. AvidMax highlights foam-back midge emergers and jigged tungsten nymphs as top producers for these clear, pressured tailwater conditions.

2d ago

USGS gauge 06192500 recorded 5,770 cfs and 51°F on the Yellowstone drainage as of the morning of May 25, placing conditions firmly in peak-runoff territory for late May in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. That water temperature is squarely in the trout feeding range, but elevated flows push fish off the mainstem and into softer water: inside bends, tributary mouths, and slower side channels. Flylab (Substack) contributor John Juracek, co-author of the seminal Fishing Yellowstone Hatches, writes that insect emergence patterns in the Yellowstone system have shifted meaningfully over the past 33 years, with midges now among the most consistent early-season producers regardless of conditions. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage highlights midge patterns across the surface film and subsurface, which aligns directly with what high, cold runoff water demands. For the Snake River corridor near the Tetons, expect comparable high-water dynamics; nymphing tight to structure and probing slower edges will be the most productive approach this week.

2d ago

USGS gauge 13037500 recorded the Snake River near Heise at 13,500 cfs on the morning of May 25, placing both the mainstem and South Fork corridor in peak spring-runoff condition. No water temperature reading was available at this observation. At these flows, trout typically abandon the main channel and stack in bank eddies, submerged brush lines, and the slower inside seams of bends — weighted streamers and heavy nymph rigs fished tight to structure are the standard playbook when Idaho's freestone rivers run big and fast. No Idaho-specific shop, charter, or agency reports appeared in this reporting cycle's angler-intel feeds, so species activity assessments here are grounded in the gauge reading and late-May regional patterns rather than direct on-the-water testimony. Anglers should contact a local Swan Valley or Idaho Falls fly shop for water-clarity updates before launching — clarity is the variable the gauge can't provide, and it determines whether nymphing or dry-fly is even in play this week.

2d ago

USGS gauge 12372000 recorded 24,700 cfs and 53°F on the Flathead system at dawn on May 25 — peak spring snowmelt numbers that push most wade fishing to the margins. At this flow, the Bitterroot and its tributaries are running turbid and bank-full, with westslope cutthroat stacked in slack-water eddies and tributary mouths rather than their usual mid-channel lies. The better opportunity right now is Flathead Lake itself, where lake trout are transitioning off their post-spawn pattern into early-summer holding structure in deeper water. Water at 53°F sits in a productive zone for cold-water species. MidCurrent notes that as the season progresses, hatches are beginning to fire and predatory fish are pushing into the shallows — a trend worth watching on Flathead's gravel margins as temps tick up through late May. Plan early morning starts and scout tributary confluences for cutthroat stacking on the color line.

2d ago

The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a banner 2024 season across the lake — coho salmon harvest hit a new record at over 210,000 fish and Chinook landings reached 160,000, the highest since 2012, with the agency crediting robust alewife year classes for strong stocked-fish survival. Those forage conditions carry into the 2026 season. No buoy temperature or gauge data were available for this report period, so anglers should verify current surface conditions before heading out. Late May on the Indiana shoreline is typically the transition point from spring pier action to early nearshore trolling, with salmon moving off the piers and into cooler offshore water. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn bass at this time of year split between aggressive feeders gorging on bait and spooky shallow-cover fish — both behavioral modes are worth probing along rocky riprap and harbor structure. First Quarter moon favors daytime bite windows.

2d ago

No live NOAA buoy readings were available for southern Lake Michigan nearshore this cycle; late May typically brings Chicago-area surface temps into the low-to-mid 50s°F before the summer thermocline forms. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a record coho harvest exceeding 210,000 fish in 2024 alongside more than 160,000 Chinook, the best king count since 2012, driven by robust alewife forage classes that continue to support salmon survival lake-wide. That same forage base positions Chicago-area trollers well for the closing weeks of the spring salmon window. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are completing their transition off shallow rocky structure, and Tactical Bassin identifies this period in Great Lakes clear-water fisheries as a prime window for finesse rigs and swimbaits along rocky breaks. Yellow perch remain a dependable nearshore option near harbor structure. Check local forecast before heading out; no live water conditions data was retrieved this cycle.

2d ago

USGS gauge 05420500 clocked the Mississippi at 70°F and 55,500 cfs Sunday morning, warm enough to push most species firmly into post-spawn mode. Walleye are the story this week: Jason Mitchell Outdoors has flagged what he calls 'May Walleye Craziness,' and AnglingBuzz has been running dedicated Upper Midwest walleye content covering slip bobber rigs and big-water tactics with guide Jason Freed. At 55,500 cfs, current is significant; expect walleye and sauger to stack on the downstream faces of wing dams and in slack-water eddies rather than roaming open flats. Bass anglers face a split picture: Wired 2 Fish notes post-spawn fish divide into two camps, with some gorging aggressively on shad while others stay shallow and spooky, requiring downsized presentations. Fishing the Midwest recommends spring river fishing on shallow flats as a reliable go-to, calling out crappie, bass, and walleye as prime targets. Channel catfish appear to be entering their pre-spawn feeding burst based on water temperature alone; no specific regional intel confirmed this cycle.

2d ago

MLF News labels the Arkansas River near Muskogee 'a fishery that is currently on a high,' with big bags more common now than the river has ever produced. That is a strong regional signal for eastern Oklahoma bass heading into Memorial Day weekend. Wired 2 Fish puts the broader post-spawn picture in focus: aggressive fish gorging on shad spawns and bream beds are mixed in the shallows with spooky, finesse-only fish that will not touch a big bait. USGS gauge 07331600 recorded 79.8 cfs of inflow this morning, pointing to stable lake levels with no turbidity spike. First Quarter moon conditions favor dawn and dusk feeding pushes over mid-day. Texoma's landlocked striper fishery enters a typical late-May transition as shad schools consolidate on main-lake structure. No current charter or shop report is available to confirm this season's specific pace.

2d ago

USGS gauge 07067000 logged the Current River at Van Buren at 1,130 cfs on the morning of May 25, a moderate, wade-friendly late-spring level that keeps access open across the Ozark trout parks. No water temperature reading was available, though Missouri's spring-fed waters typically hold in the low-to-mid 60s°F through late May, well within the comfort zone for stocked and holdover rainbow trout. No direct on-the-water reports from the Current or Niangua corridors came through this cycle, so the technique guidance below leans on regional trout patterns. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage highlights sparse midge patterns and rocky-bottom streamers, both reliable choices when Ozark fish are pressured under clear spring flows. Hatch Magazine's spring creek content notes that precision presentation is critical in this season. With First Quarter moon, morning and evening feeding windows are worth prioritizing over midday.

2d ago