Fishing reports
19295 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Wisconsin River at 1,130 cfs Under Full Moon — Walleye & Trout Window Open
The USGS gauge at site 05391000 on the Wisconsin River logged 1,130 cfs on the evening of May 2 — a moderate, navigable flow with no flooding concerns and fishable wading on accessible reaches. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but early-May readings on the Wisconsin River typically settle in the upper 40s to low 50s°F, the transition zone that prompts walleye to scatter from spawning areas into feeding lies. Angler intel feeds this week carried no Wisconsin-specific reports, so conditions assessments here draw on gauge data and patterns well-established for this region in early May. The full moon arriving May 3 is historically a trigger for low-light walleye and muskie feeding activity in Midwestern river systems. On Lake Superior's south shore, the same calendar window is prime for tributary steelhead and shoreline brown trout before summer stratification sets in. Conditions look workable heading into the weekend.
Connecticut River at 84.8 cfs as May Hatches Begin for Vermont Trout
USGS gauge 01135300 logged 84.8 cfs on the Connecticut River watershed as of May 2—a moderate, stable reading that puts wading conditions in solid shape heading into the week. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, though early May on Vermont river systems typically places surface temps in the high 40s to low 50s°F, right at the threshold where trout metabolism accelerates and mayfly emergences become consistent. Field & Stream's current trout guide highlights the insect life that should be emerging right now—mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges—making this a meaningful window for dry-fly and nymph presentations on Connecticut River tributaries. The full moon peaking this weekend adds a timing edge: predator species in Lake Champlain, walleye and pike especially, are known to feed hard in the low-light hours flanking a full moon phase. No Vermont-specific charter or shop intel reached our feeds this cycle; the on-the-water detail below draws on seasonal benchmarks and regional inference where direct attribution isn't available.
Crappie Spawn Peaks on Full Moon as Cumberland Flows Run Lean
The May 3 full moon is arriving at precisely the right moment for crappie anglers across the mid-South. USGS gauge 03434500 recorded 228 cfs on the Cumberland late May 2 — lean, relatively clear flows that favor sight-fishing in shallow spawning cover. While no Tennessee-specific charter or shop intel came through this cycle, the regional picture is encouraging: Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish both reported a 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Grenada Lake, Mississippi on April 24 during a guided session targeting staging fish with forward-facing sonar, with heavyweight-limit catches described as common as slabs crowded shallow structure ahead of the spawn. That Mississippi pattern typically mirrors what Tennessee anglers encounter in their own lakes and reservoirs days later under the same spring warming arc. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also pushing onto spawning flats. Water temperature was unavailable from this gauge cycle; check a local marina or creel report before committing to a wade.
Yellowstone Running 590 CFS: Pre-Runoff Trout Window Is Open
USGS gauge 06043500 recorded 590 cfs on the Yellowstone drainage as of May 2 — a relatively modest flow for early May that signals we're still in the pre-runoff window. Water temperatures were unavailable from the gauge, but conditions typical for this period suggest river temps in the low-to-mid 40s°F, keeping trout active and holding near the bottom. Field & Stream's recent breakdown on aquatic insects highlights that mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges form the core of a trout's diet — all four groups begin emerging at varying intensities across Montana streams in early May. No region-specific charter, shop, or agency reports reached our feeds this cycle, so we're working from gauge data and established seasonal patterns. The full moon on May 3 tends to shift prime feeding into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Anglers targeting browns and rainbows should prioritize morning sessions before midday sun can spook fish in the clear, low-flow water that comes with pre-runoff conditions.
Striper Push Builds Across Long Island Sound as Water Hits 52°F
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44065 are reading 52°F as of early Saturday morning, pulling Long Island Sound squarely into the spring striper window. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s Long Island forecast (April 30) reports the bite building from the East End back bays to the South Shore surf and into the western bays, with schoolies and slot-size bass now consistent and larger fish pushing the 30-inch class and beyond — some exceeding 30 pounds. Bunker schools are the key anchor: find the bait, find the bass. Anglers are connecting on plugs, soft plastics, bucktails, and fresh chunks, with best action tied to tide changes and bait-holding areas. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s New England update confirmed tautog reached their spring stride before the Connecticut season closed April 30, making stripers the clear top inshore target heading into the weekend. Full Moon tides will drive strong rips across the Sound — time your drifts to the current peaks.
Green River at 44°F and 4,640 CFS — tailwater trout active, wade-fishing tough
USGS gauge 09234500 clocked the Green River at 4,640 CFS and 44°F as of Saturday afternoon — high flows that push serious wade-fishers off the wade zones and onto anchored drift boats. Water at 44°F sits squarely in the active range for brown and rainbow trout, but deep presentations will outperform surface work until flows ease. No direct tackle-shop, charter, or state-agency reports surfaced this cycle for the Green River corridor or the Uinta Lakes basin, so conditions guidance here is grounded in gauge data and seasonal pattern rather than live angler testimony. Field & Stream's current aquatic insect guide notes that midges, stoneflies, and blue-winged olives form the core of a trout's cold-water diet — an apt reminder as early-season hatches begin emerging on Utah tailwaters. Tonight's Full Moon typically opens a productive low-light window; plan for dawn and dusk sessions.
Texas Freshwater at 78°F: Catfish Hot, Post-Spawn Bass Going Deep
USGS gauge 08211200 recorded 78°F water and a moderate 41.3 cfs flow as of May 2 — warm enough to push Texas freshwater fishing squarely into early-summer patterns. Largemouth bass have largely completed their spawn at this temperature and are transitioning into post-spawn recovery, typically pulling back from shallow flats toward deeper adjacent structure and feeding more selectively. Catfish, by contrast, are in prime feeding mode as water climbs through the 75–80°F band. No Texas-specific charter, tackle shop, or agency reports came through in this cycle's angler-intel feed, so species outlooks here reflect seasonal baseline expectations rather than fresh on-water testimony. Worth flagging: Wired 2 Fish reports that crappie are staging heavily and generating heavyweight limits on comparable Southern reservoirs this week — similar conditions are typical on Texas impoundments at the full moon in early May, though local verification is always the smart move.
Crappie spawn fires at Grenada Lake as Mississippi runs 679K cfs
USGS gauge 07289000 clocked the Mississippi River at Vicksburg at 679,000 cfs on May 2 — elevated well above typical spring norms and pushing fish off main-channel banks into flooded timber, backwater sloughs, and oxbow lakes. No water temperature is available from the gauge today. The biggest freshwater story in Mississippi right now belongs to crappie: per Wired 2 Fish, guide Trent Goss was hammering heavyweight limits at Grenada Lake on April 24, capping a morning with a 4.10-pound white crappie caught by Illinois angler Barry Girten — and that was no fluke. Outdoor Hub confirms the catch and notes the 35,000-acre north-central Mississippi reservoir has been on fire as fish stage ahead of the spawn, with heavyweight-limit catches described as common. Full Moon conditions peaking this weekend typically supercharge crappie and catfish bites, especially after dark. On the main-stem Mississippi and Pearl Rivers, high off-color flows are pushing fish into slack-water ambush points for channel and blue catfish.
North Shore Steelhead Run Peaks as Mississippi Flows Surge Past 27,000 CFS
The MN DNR North Shore Fishing Report (April 30) confirms steelhead are picking up across lower shore rivers following two back-to-back rain events that drove the Knife River from 370 to 4,690 CFS in just seven hours. Water levels have since dropped and clarity has improved, opening a solid window for stream anglers this weekend. On the inland river system, USGS gauge 05331000 puts the Mississippi at St. Paul at 27,800 CFS — elevated from snowmelt and recent rainfall — pushing fish out of main-channel seams and into flooded backwaters and slower tributary mouths. USGS gauge 05288500 reads 16,800 CFS upstream in the metro corridor, confirming the elevated pulse through the system. No water temperatures are available from either gauge at this time. The smelt run on Lake Superior's North Shore has not yet begun as of the April 30 DNR report, but conditions are aligning — that action could ignite within days.
Kansas River at 66°F and 9,020 cfs — Crappie Spawn and Catfish Prime Time
USGS gauge 06892350 on the Kansas River logged 66°F water and 9,020 cfs on the afternoon of May 2 — a flow running well above the spring mid-range and enough to concentrate fish in eddies, protected coves, and structure just off the main current. At 66°F, crappie are either mid-spawn or wrapping up their nest-guarding phase, making shallow wood and brush piles along calmer backwaters the go-to target. Channel catfish wake up noticeably once water passes 65°F, and evening and overnight sessions with cut bait or stinkbait on deeper outside bends should produce. The white bass spring run, typical for Kansas River tributaries through late April into early May, is likely winding down at this temperature — though stragglers can still be found near riffles and current breaks. No region-specific tackle-shop or charter reports appeared in today's feeds; conditions here are grounded in gauge data and patterns typical for early May in Kansas and Arkansas River drainages.
Low Flow on the Nanticoke as Post-Spawn Stripers Push Out of the Chesapeake
Flow on the Nanticoke is running notably low — 3.27 cfs as of Saturday afternoon at USGS gauge 01493500 — pointing to clear, slow-moving conditions across much of the watershed heading into the weekend. No water temperature reading is available at the gauge this cycle, but full-moon conditions and the first days of May typically animate largemouth bass along shallow flats and push channel catfish onto feed in deeper holes. The bigger regional signal comes from On The Water's May 1 striper migration map, which notes that large post-spawn females are beginning to leave the Chesapeake — a cue that rockfish will stage through lower tidal tributaries like the Nanticoke as they disperse northward. Chain pickerel remain a reliable year-round target in the slower backwater coves of both the Christina and Nanticoke drainages. No local tackle-shop or charter reports are in this cycle; anglers should verify current conditions with a local outfitter before heading out.
Striper Migration Closing In on Jersey Shore as Fluke Season Nears
Water temps of 50–51°F across the Shore — per NOAA buoys 44091 and 44065 — put us squarely in the window for spring striper action. On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map notes the run 'really snowballs' once post-spawn females clear the Chesapeake, and that momentum is building right now. The Fisherman (Northeast) filed their NJ/DE Bay Region forecast from the Belmar docks this week, noting it's 'all systems go for fluke and sea bass' after NOAA Fisheries approved new recreational measures; NJ's fluke season opens Monday, May 4th, with black sea bass set to follow. With 3-foot swells at buoy 44091 and a Full Moon amplifying tidal flow, anglers working inlet rips and current seams are best positioned for this early-May window. The striper bite should sharpen with each passing day as the migration closes its final miles to the Shore.
Truckee River at 345 cfs as May Runoff Season Opens on the Sierra Nevada
The Truckee River is clocking 345 cfs at USGS gauge 10311000 as of 05:50 this morning — a moderate spring flow that keeps the river in fishable shape before the main snowmelt pulse typically arrives mid-May. No water temperature reading was returned by the gauge in this cycle. No region-specific shop, charter, or agency reports came through in the intel feeds covering Truckee or Lake Tahoe, so this report draws on gauge data and general early-May seasonal patterns for the Sierra Nevada. With a full moon overhead tonight, trout tend to feed most aggressively at first light and in the final hour before dark, when low-angle light dampens their wariness. Field & Stream this week published a trout angler's guide to aquatic insects, noting that midges, stoneflies, caddisflies, and mayflies anchor trout diets in river systems — all four are worth cycling through on Sierra Nevada water right now as afternoon temperatures begin to push hatches off the surface.
Sacramento-Delta Hits 65°F: Full Moon Sets Up Prime Window for Stripers and Bass
USGS gauge 11447650 recorded 65°F water temperature and 13,600 CFS flow on the Sacramento River at 4:15 a.m. this morning — readings that place the Delta squarely in classic late-spring form. At this temperature, striped bass that have pushed up from San Francisco Bay should be actively feeding, and largemouth in the shallower backwater sloughs are likely on or just past spawn. Tonight's full moon amplifies tidal exchange through the Delta's channel network, which typically concentrates baitfish against current breaks and rip lines, opening a productive evening window for surface-feeding stripers. American shad, whose run up the Sacramento typically peaks through May, should be funneling through the main channel and drawing predators along with them. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried Delta-specific reports, so these observations are grounded in gauge data and established seasonal patterns for the region rather than direct on-the-water captain testimony.
Full Moon Opens Crappie Spawn Window on Tennessee & Coosa Rivers
USGS gauge 02339500 recorded a moderate flow of 1,120 cfs on the Coosa system early this morning, and today's full moon marks the traditional peak of the crappie spawn window for Alabama's river lakes. No direct on-water reports from the Tennessee or Coosa corridors reached our feeds this cycle, but Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish both documented a 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Mississippi's Grenada Lake on April 24 — guide Trent Goss noted fish staging hard for the spawn, with heavyweight-limit catches becoming common on that 35,000-acre Southern reservoir. That regional signal translates well to comparable Alabama impoundments on the Coosa and Tennessee systems. Expect crappie stacked in 6–12 feet near submerged timber and brush piles through the weekend. Largemouth and spotted bass are likely in late-spawn or immediate post-spawn mode; shallow flats and protected cove pockets traditionally hold bedding fish through the full-moon window.
Gulf Water Hits 77°F but 10-Foot Swells Bottle Up Offshore Fleet Along TX Coast
NOAA buoy 42020 is logging 77°F water and 10.2-foot wave heights this morning alongside sustained 14 m/s (27-knot) winds — conditions that effectively ground offshore runs for most recreational anglers. Nearshore buoy 42035 paints a more workable picture: 76°F water, 4.6-foot seas, and 11 m/s winds. With a full moon driving the strongest tidal flows of the month, current movement through bays and passes is elevated, which typically concentrates bait at drain points and channel edges. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that May is historically prime time for king mackerel along Gulf Coast waters, and mid-70s water temps are exactly the thermal trigger those fish respond to on nearshore reefs and structure. Until the offshore swell settles, the smart play is the back bays, jetty bases, and shallow grass flats reachable from Galveston to Corpus Christi. Speckled trout and redfish should respond well to full-moon tide changes, especially during early-morning and late-afternoon windows.
Full Moon Crappie Spawn Peaks at Santee & Lake Murray — Flow 163 cfs
USGS gauge 02160390 recorded a flow of 163 cfs early Saturday morning — modest and stable, which is good news for anglers targeting structure in slack-water coves. The full moon overhead is the defining variable this weekend: crappie traditionally move into the shallows en masse during the full-moon window of the spring spawn, and Wired 2 Fish reported just that dynamic playing out at Grenada Lake on April 24, where guide Trent Goss was "slamming some big slabs" with clients using forward-facing sonar as fish staged pre-spawn. That Mississippi benchmark mirrors what anglers typically find at Santee and Lake Murray at this same calendar point. Expect crappie stacked in 3–6 feet around flooded brush, dock pilings, and cypress knees. Landlocked striped bass at Santee may be transitioning out of their post-spawn recovery — a pattern consistent with the broader Atlantic striper cycle On The Water mapped on May 1. No water temperature reading was available from the overnight gauge; confirming local surface temps before departure is worthwhile.
Lake Erie Walleye and Trophy Smallmouth Prime for Early May Full Moon
On The Water's podcast this week features Captain Joe Fonzi breaking down Lake Erie's trophy smallmouth and booming walleye fishery — crediting goby-driven forage as the engine behind Erie's outsized fish growth and pairing that with forward-looking sonar strategy. That direct on-water intelligence is the sharpest signal available this cycle, as USGS gauge 03271601 returned no water temperature or flow readings at report time. By the calendar, early May typically marks the close of walleye spawn staging and the start of aggressive post-spawn feeding across Erie's central and eastern basins. Smallmouth are staging near rocky structure, with the goby forage base producing noticeably larger fish than historical averages, per Fonzi. On the Ohio River, white bass and channel catfish are entering their most active spring window as river temps climb. Tonight's full moon can compress feeding windows — expect the most aggressive bites at first light and last light over the next 48 hours.
Ohio & Cumberland at 950 cfs: Full Moon Signals Crappie Spawn Window
USGS gauge 03301500 logged 950 cfs at midnight on May 2 — a moderate, navigable flow indicating stable access across Kentucky's Ohio and Cumberland tributary network. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but early-May conditions in Kentucky rivers typically place temps in the mid-50s to low 60s°F range, the threshold where crappie begin their most aggressive push toward shallow spawning habitat. Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both documented heavyweight crappie limits on Grenada Lake, Mississippi during a late-April charter trip, with fish actively staging near structure as spawning pressure built — a pattern that mirrors what Kentucky river anglers typically encounter in the first week of May. Saturday's full moon is the single most consequential timing factor of the week, historically triggering heightened feeding activity at dawn and dusk for crappie, white bass, and catfish. No local charter or tackle-shop reports were available for this update; conditions are synthesized from gauge data and regional fishing-press coverage.
Iowa River Surging at 16,500 cfs — Work the Edges for Walleye and Catfish
USGS gauge 05465500 put the Iowa River at 16,500 cfs on May 1 — elevated spring flows that are pushing fish out of the main channel and into current breaks, wing dams, and slack backwater pockets. No in-stream temperature is available from the gauge, but early May typically brings river temps into the mid-50s to low-60s°F range across central Iowa, signaling the tail end of the walleye post-spawn and the ramp-up of channel catfish activity ahead of summer. Wired 2 Fish reported that a central-Iowa bass angler found fish active on a local lake in 42°F water in early April right after ice-out; with temperatures climbing several degrees since that report, bass should now be transitioning into pre-spawn staging mode. The full moon on May 2 is worth planning around: walleye and catfish typically increase feeding intensity during low-light periods around the full moon, making dusk-to-midnight windows prime on both the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers.
Wabash River Surging at 15,300 cfs; Lake Michigan Spring Bite Building
The Wabash River recorded 15,300 cfs at USGS gauge 03335500 on May 2 — a reading that puts the mainstem in high, fast, and almost certainly turbid condition following recent runoff across the watershed. That level typically displaces walleye and sauger from their usual riffle haunts and pushes catfish into slack eddies and flooded backwater timber. Wired 2 Fish reported crappie actively staging for pre-spawn across the Midwest this week, a pattern that fits Indiana reservoirs and river oxbows squarely in their best fishing window of the year — brushpile presentations at 3–6 feet should produce through the weekend. On the Lake Michigan side, we're in the heart of the coho and brown trout trolling window along the Indiana shoreline, with surface temps climbing toward the mid-50s. No buoy data was available for Lake Michigan this cycle. The full moon this weekend compresses productive windows to dawn and dusk, when feeding activity peaks.
Crappie Lock on Spawning Structure as Savannah Runs 4,140 cfs
Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing reports crappie are in full spring spawn mode statewide, staging in 3–8 feet around brush piles, fallen timber, docks, and aquatic vegetation. On the Savannah River, USGS gauge 02197000 recorded a flow of 4,140 cfs early Saturday — a moderate spring pulse that should push fish tight to slower inside bends and flooded timber edges. No temperature reading is available from the gauge, but early-May conditions in this corridor typically support active spawning. Tonight's full moon can extend crappie feeding into late-evening low-light windows and nudge fish even shallower. Catfish anglers have additional reason for optimism: Georgia Wildlife Blog recently spotlighted hand-fishing (noodling) as a proven technique for big flatheads and channel cats in South Georgia waterways. Important: Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing is advising anglers to use extra caution in South Georgia due to active wildfire conditions; confirm access-point status before making the drive.
Full Moon Triggers Shellcracker Spawn on Lake O and St. Johns
The St. Johns River is running at 87.5 cfs (USGS gauge 02232000, recorded May 1), signaling stable, low-flow conditions characteristic of central Florida's dry season. Water temperature data was unavailable from current monitoring, but early May typically brings surface temps into the upper 70s across both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns corridor — the sweet spot for the annual shellcracker and bluegill spawn. With a full moon peaking this weekend, conditions align squarely with the classic window that Florida freshwater anglers time their panfishing trips around: bedding redear sunfish and bluegill in 2–4 feet of hard-bottom shallows along coves and grass edges. No Florida-specific angler intel surfaced in this week's national feeds, but seasonal patterns here are well-established: largemouth bass are transitioning off their spawning beds into adjacent cover and beginning the post-spawn recovery phase, while sunfish beds are firing up across both systems. First light is the best window before afternoon wind and boat pressure scatter the beds.
Colorado River at Lees Ferry: 55°F, 8,450 cfs — Trout in Prime Window
USGS gauge 09380000 logged the Colorado River at 8,450 cfs and 55°F as of the evening of May 1 — conditions that place rainbow and brown trout squarely in their feeding comfort zone along the Lees Ferry tailwater stretch. None of this week's national angler-intel feeds carried AZ-specific reports, so this conditions picture is built from the gauge reading and typical early-May patterns for these drainages rather than on-the-water testimony. At 55°F, trout are active feeders; the 8,450 cfs flow is on the higher end for wading, pushing fish into seams and soft-water pockets behind structure, which favors drift-boat presentations over wading. On the Salt River system, largemouth and smallmouth bass are likely in late pre-spawn to spawn staging given the warming spring temps, and tonight's full moon adds a classic timing trigger. Check local AZ fly shops before heading out for current on-the-water confirmation.