Fishing reports
19297 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
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.
Columbia Spring Chinook in Prime Window as Water Hits 58°F
USGS gauge 14211720 is reading 23,100 CFS and 58°F as of this afternoon — right in the sweet spot for Columbia Basin spring Chinook migration. At this temperature, kings are actively moving through migratory corridors; side-drifting with bait along current seams is the classic mid-river approach for this phase of the run. Flows at 23,100 CFS are elevated with spring snowmelt, which typically pushes fish tighter to slack-water edges and slower inside bends — work those soft-water margins rather than the main push. Tonight's full moon may extend productive low-light windows into early morning, worth planning an early launch around. Field & Stream's early-May aquatic insect primer this week is a timely reminder that stonefly and caddis hatches are typically ramping on Rogue tributaries right now, opening nymph and dry-fly opportunities for trout anglers. No Oregon-specific charter or shop reports appeared in this cycle's intel feeds; conditions beyond the gauge reflect typical early-May patterns for these drainages.
Crappie Spawn Peaks Under Full Moon — Lake Eufaula & Red River
The full moon on May 1 puts Lake Eufaula's crappie spawn at peak intensity — the single best timing window of the spring calendar for eastern Oklahoma. While no current buoy or gauge readings are available for this report, regional context is telling: Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both covered a 4.10-pound white crappie pulled from Grenada Lake, Mississippi on April 24, where guide Trent Goss reported fish actively staging for spawn with heavyweight limits described as "common" on that 35,000-acre southern reservoir. Eufaula, a comparably large warm-water impoundment, typically tracks similar spawn timing. Largemouth bass are likely finishing the post-spawn transition across shallow flats and creek mouths, while the Red River enters its prime pre-summer window for blue and channel catfish. No USGS flow data is available for this report; check current gauge readings before planning any Red River outing.
Red River Hits 52°F and 1,900 cfs: Spring Walleye Window Is Open in ND
USGS gauge 05054000 recorded 52°F water and 1,900 cfs on the Red River on May 1 — readings that place North Dakota squarely in the heart of its spring walleye feeding window. Post-spawn walleye thrive in this temperature band, transitioning from staging areas into aggressive pre-summer feeding mode. Tonight's full moon will extend low-light bite windows into the predawn hours, making dawn and dusk sessions especially productive through this weekend. On the Missouri River, channel catfish are typically well into their spring awakening once water crests 50°F, with slower holes behind current breaks holding fish. Northern pike continue to work warming shallows, chasing baitfish as early vegetation establishes near backwaters. No regional charter or shop reports from North Dakota waters appeared in our current intel feeds; the conditions picture here is grounded in gauge data from USGS gauge 05054000 and typical seasonal patterns for this stretch of river.
Full Moon Pushes Bass onto Beds; Roanoke Stripers Prime as Flow Runs Low
USGS gauge 02142900 is logging a lean 9.55 cfs as of the evening of May 1, signaling low, clear water across the measured Catawba tributary — conditions that typically push fish tight to structure and reward precise presentations. No water temperature was recorded at this station, but the NC Piedmont's early-May baseline typically sits in the low-to-mid 60s°F. Tonight's full moon is the headline event: largemouth bass on both Catawba and Roanoke impoundments should be locked onto spawning beds or staging just off them, and sight-fishing shallow flats with patience can produce outsized fish right now. On The Water's May 1 striper migration update confirms the annual post-spawn push is accelerating along the Atlantic seaboard — a seasonal cue that parallels landlocked striper behavior on the Roanoke system. Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub both report big crappie staging for spawn on Southern reservoirs this week, a pattern that translates squarely to NC piedmont lakes.
Rio Grande at 181 cfs: NM Tailwaters Enter Prime May Hatch Window
The USGS gauge on the Rio Grande (site 08330000) recorded 181 cfs at 3:15 p.m. on May 1 — a manageable, wading-friendly level heading into New Mexico's prime spring hatch period. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge today. None of this week's angler-intel feeds included New Mexico-specific reports, so conditions below reflect seasonal norms for the Rio Grande and San Juan drainages. May 1 typically marks the transition from midge-heavy early-season fishing toward overlapping caddisfly and Pale Morning Dun hatches — a progression Field & Stream's current guide to aquatic insects describes as the core of late-spring trout feeding behavior. Tonight's full moon tends to push active feeding earlier in the evening on both systems. With the Rio Grande running moderately, wade access should be reliable on publicly accessible stretches heading into the weekend.
Delaware Stripers Gaining Steam as Full Moon Amplifies the Spring Push
On The Water's May 1 Striper Migration Map signals the spring run is 'snowballing' as large post-spawn females move out of the Chesapeake — a wave that historically reaches Delaware River tidal reaches in early May. The USGS gauge at site 01408000 recorded 52.9 cfs this afternoon, reflecting moderate spring flows in the Pine Barrens coastal plain drainage; no water temperature reading was available from the gauge. Tonight's full moon will push stronger tidal exchanges on the Delaware, concentrating stripers along current breaks and transitional seams near the estuary's freshwater boundary. In the Pine Barrens, chain pickerel and largemouth bass are the primary freshwater targets; early May typically marks the tail end of the pre-spawn window for bass on the tannic, dark-water cedar streams. No local tackle-shop or charter intel was available in this cycle's data feeds — the species outlooks below are grounded in seasonal patterns and available regional reporting.
Missouri River at 185K cfs and 64°F — Crappie Spawn Windows Opening Now
USGS gauge 06934500 clocked the Missouri River at 185,000 cfs and 64°F this afternoon — right in the sweet spot for crappie spawn. No Missouri-specific dispatches surfaced in this week's angler intel feeds, but the water temperature tells most of the story: 64°F is the classic trigger for crappie pressing into shallow structure, and white bass spring runs along river confluences are historically at full stride by May 1. The elevated flow — above typical spring norms for this corridor — will compress fish out of the main channel and into backwater coves, flooded timber, and eddy-line slack water. Tonight's full moon adds a nighttime feeding window worth planning around for catfish and white bass alike. Until local shop or charter reports fill in the on-the-water picture, treat the gauge conditions as your primary data and verify recent bite activity with area bait dealers before launching.
Lake Erie walleye in full swing; Grand River running 6,890 cfs post-flood
The National Walleye Tour opener on Lake Erie delivered a decisive result: Monroe, Michigan-based pro Austin Tomasek posted a two-day total of 86 pounds, 9 ounces to claim first place and a $15,000 prize, per Outdoor Hub. That performance underscores how productive the Lake Erie walleye fishery is right now heading into May. Separately, On The Water's podcast with Captain Joe Fonzi highlighted Lake Erie's thriving trophy smallmouth population, with goby-driven growth producing outsized fish. On the inland side, USGS gauge 04119000 recorded the Grand River at 6,890 cfs as of May 1 — elevated spring runoff, but well below the severe flooding levels MI DNR flagged in mid-April. That receding trend means river access is slowly improving for walleye and any lingering steelhead. A Full Moon coinciding with the start of May will intensify feeding activity during dawn and dusk transitions — plan to be on the water early and stay through last light this weekend.
Striper Migration Snowballing into Potomac as Patapsco Runs 70.9 CFS
On The Water's May 1 striper migration map notes the post-spawn push out of the Chesapeake is reaching peak momentum — timing that lines up well for intercepting migrating fish in the Potomac's freshwater reaches. USGS gauge 01589000 logs the Patapsco at a steady 70.9 cfs this afternoon, a moderate flow that keeps water fishable without the off-color surge that buries presentations. No water temperature reading is available from current sensors, though early May in this corridor typically falls in the upper 50s to low 60°F range based on historical norms. Tonight's full moon adds a high-activity window worth targeting — catfish and bass routinely feed hard around lunar peaks, especially on slower inside bends and wood-lined banks. With stripers migrating and bass approaching their spawn window, this opening weekend of May is traditionally one of the Potomac and Patapsco's most productive stretches of the year.
Sac-a-Lait Push Into Spawn Windows as Full Moon Hits the Atchafalaya
A 4.10-pound crappie pulled from Grenada Lake on April 24 — reported by Wired 2 Fish — signals that heavyweight slabs are staging hard for the spawn across the mid-South, a pattern that typically tracks into Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin and Mississippi River backwaters right on schedule. With the Full Moon falling on May 1, sac-a-lait should be pressed tight to cypress knees, laydowns, and shallow brushpiles in the 2–5-foot zone. No USGS gauge data is available for this reporting period, so current stage and water temperature should be confirmed locally before heading out. Largemouth bass are typical early-May movers in the Atchafalaya drainage, and channel catfish begin following warmer water into shallower flats this time of year. Wired 2 Fish noted that at Grenada Lake "heavyweight-limit catches are common" as fish stage for spawning — the strongest regional signal we have pointing toward a productive early-May window throughout the lower Mississippi system.
Hawaiian Waters Hit 79°F as Full Moon Opens Offshore Window
NOAA buoy 51002 recorded 79°F surface temps southwest of the islands on May 1, squarely in the blue-water sweet spot for Hawaii's pelagic season. Buoy 51004 matched the warmth at 78°F while buoy 51001 clocked 75°F in the northwest corridor. Trade winds are blowing 8–10 meters per second with swells running 8 to 8.5 feet — a brisk but manageable offshore chop for capable bluewater boats. Tonight's full moon is a favorable timing cue; lunar feeding windows historically produce for mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna in Hawaiian waters. No Hawaii-specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available in this cycle, so species status reflects seasonal norms at these temps rather than direct on-water testimony. Saltwater Sportsman's current feature on pitch-baiting is worth reviewing if you're running teasers for billfish — pitch a live bait or popper into the spread the moment a fish comes up for the best hook-up odds.
2.6-Ft Seas and Full Moon Tides Set Up Georgia's Inshore Bite for May
NOAA buoy 41008 logged 2.6-foot seas and winds of 6 m/s (roughly 12 knots) off the Georgia coast at 20:20 UTC on May 1 — workable conditions for most inshore and nearshore runs. Air temperature registered near 70°F, though the buoy returned no water-temperature reading this cycle. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing's April 24 update flagged active wildfire conditions across South Georgia, urging visitors to use extra caution and stay informed before heading to southern put-in sites. Saltwater-specific coverage from the blog has been absent in recent reporting cycles, with the spring focus leaning heavily toward freshwater crappie and catfish. That said, early May is historically when red drum, spotted seatrout, and Spanish mackerel become reliable targets along Georgia's tidal creeks, nearshore reefs, and estuary edges. Tonight's full moon amplifies tidal exchange, pushing bait through creek mouths and over shallow grass flats — a prime window for structure-oriented presentations with no buoy water-temp data to temper expectations.
Crappie Spawn Peaks on the Arkansas & White Rivers Under the Full Moon
A Field & Stream report dated April 24 from Grenada Lake, Mississippi notes crappie staging hard for the spawn with heavyweight-limit catches common — a strong regional signal that the same push is underway across mid-South river systems, including the Arkansas and White River basins. With today's Full Moon (May 1), crappie beds are near peak activity; fish should be holding tight to shallow brush piles, submerged timber, and protected coves in 2–5 feet of water. No USGS gauge readings are currently available for this update, so confirm mainstem flows before launching. Tailwater trout on the White River remains a year-round draw, with regulated releases keeping cold-water sections consistently fishable. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are in active pre-spawn mode, responding to reaction baits on warming flats. Catfish are building toward their pre-spawn feeding surge in deeper current seams — a pattern typical for this region in early May and one that intensifies through the month.
Kenai Gauge at 37°F and 2,140 cfs as King Salmon Pre-Season Approaches
USGS gauge 15266300 logged 37°F water and 2,140 cfs on the morning of May 1 — typical early-spring levels for the Kenai drainage ahead of peak snowmelt. At these temperatures, salmonid metabolism remains suppressed and fish activity is limited, though resident rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are still accessible to patient anglers working slower runs and deep pools. This week's national angler-intel feeds carried no Alaska-specific reports; conditions here draw on gauge data and established early-May patterns for this region. Field & Stream's current primer on aquatic insects offers a timely reference for fly anglers who will soon encounter early stonefly and midge activity as water warms toward the 40°F threshold. King salmon — Chinook — are not yet expected in the Kenai main stem in fishable numbers; the sport season typically doesn't open until mid-May. Interior rivers are in a similar holding pattern, with Arctic grayling representing the best near-term opportunity for anglers willing to explore.
Central Coast Water Hits 55–57°F — Halibut and Rockfish in Play for May
NOAA buoys 46026, 46042, and 46028 recorded water temperatures of 55–57°F along the CA Central Coast as of May 1 — right in the window where California halibut typically begin pushing onto shallower sandy flats and rockfish action on offshore structure stays consistent. Wind speeds of 8–9 m/s were logged across all three stations, signaling active upwelling conditions that can concentrate baitfish near canyon edges and kelp lines. This week's monitored angler-intel feeds carried no direct charter, shop, or agency reports specific to the Central Coast, so species status below reflects seasonal norms rather than confirmed on-water testimony. Full Moon conditions may extend productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk. White seabass are a realistic spring target along kelp structure at this time of year, and surf perch remain accessible from sandy beach access points throughout the region. Check current state regulations before harvesting any species.
Potomac at 3,630 cfs: Full Moon Opens Prime May Smallmouth & Crappie Window
The USGS gauge at Little Falls (01646500) logged 3,630 cfs on the Potomac River as of early May 1 — a moderate, fishable flow that keeps wading access open on most gravel bars and sets the river up well for spring smallmouth. Tonight's full moon is the headline trigger: full moons in late April through mid-May typically push crappie onto shallow spawning flats in Potomac and Shenandoah tributaries, a pattern Wired 2 Fish documented this week on Southern impoundments where fish are "staging for spawning and heavyweight-limit catches are common." That same pre-spawn pressure is typical for VA river systems right now. No water temperature came through on the gauge this cycle; historically, the Potomac runs 58–65°F in early May — a range that activates smallmouth, crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass concurrently. Plan early-morning and dusk sessions while the full-moon bite window is at its strongest.
Gulf of Maine at 41–45°F as Striper Vanguard Pushes North
NOAA buoys 44007 and 44027 put Gulf of Maine surface temps at 45°F and 41°F respectively as of early May 1 — chilly, but approaching the threshold where scout striped bass begin probing northern New England. The meaningful action right now is happening south of us: The Fisherman (Northeast) reported April 30 that an aggressive striper push has hit Narragansett Bay, with fish ranging 25 to 40 inches and larger bass in the mix, spreading 'from Jamestown to the Canal.' That vanguard historically precedes a Maine arrival by one to three weeks, setting up a mid-May window for first Gulf of Maine reports. Full Moon tides tonight and through the weekend will drive strong tidal current through river mouths and rocky points — the kind of setup that pushes early-season fish to feed aggressively. No confirmed Gulf of Maine catches appear in our current intel feeds; local tackle shops along the Maine coast will be the first to signal arrival.
Columbia River at 54°F and 1,450 cfs as Late-April Chinook Window Peaks
USGS gauge 14113000 logged the Columbia River at 54°F and 1,450 cfs at 3:00 PM on April 30 — readings consistent with the heart of the spring Chinook migration window on the mid-Columbia. At these temps, Chinook grow progressively more aggressive, and mainstem holding water near current seams and deep tailouts is worth targeting. Tonight's full moon typically pushes peak feeding into low-light transitions: pre-dawn and the final 45 minutes before dark. None of this week's angler-intel feeds contained Washington-specific reports for the Columbia or Puget Sound river drainages, so the bite assessments below are grounded in seasonal patterns and gauge data rather than direct on-water testimony. Check WDFW's weekly statewide report and a local tackle shop before launching — snowmelt timing and spring flows can shift conditions quickly through May.
Full Moon Window Opens on Winnipesaukee as Merrimack Runs 107 CFS
USGS gauge 01073500 logged 107 CFS on the Merrimack watershed at 5:15 PM today — a moderate-low reading for late April that signals the bulk of the spring snowmelt surge has cleared and water clarity should be on the mend. No temperature reading came through on that gauge, but late April typically pushes New Hampshire lake shallows into the mid-40s to low 50s°F range — a productive window for landlocked salmon still holding near depth transitions before summer stratification sets. Tonight's full moon is the biggest short-term variable: lunar influence tends to trigger pre-dawn and dusk feeding sprees, so plan to be on the water at first light to catch the tail end of that activity. Regional angler-intel feeds this cycle did not return NH-specific shop, charter, or state agency reports for the Merrimack or Winnipesaukee area, so the species outlook here is grounded in the gauge data and typical seasonal patterns for this watershed. Bass are entering pre-spawn mode, perch are likely wrapping their own shallow spawn, and stocked trout are freshly accessible in Merrimack tributaries — check NH Fish & Game for current schedules.
Stripers Push to Cape Cod Canal as Bay Temps Reach 48–50°F
Water temps at 48–50°F (NOAA buoys 44013 and 44020, April 30) are pulling striped bass north on schedule. Per The Fisherman (Northeast), a surge of stripers has "crashed the party" in Narragansett Bay with fish ranging 25 to 40 inches, and smaller cohorts are already coursing from Jamestown all the way to the Canal — meaning Cape Cod Bay's doorstep is now live. Just a week earlier, the same outlet noted Buzzards Bay reports upgraded from "just schoolies" to fish "into the mid-30-inch class" almost overnight. With a full moon overhead tonight, tidal rips and current-swept structure along the Bay's western shore should be especially productive after dark. Tautog have also hit their spring stride in shallow, rocky habitat according to The Fisherman — check current Massachusetts regulations for season and bag limits before keeping any fish. The spring migration window is wide open.
Colorado River at 58°F, 1,940 cfs — Pre-Runoff Trout Window Is Open
At 58°F and 1,940 cfs as of midday April 30 — per USGS gauge 09095500 on the Colorado River — this drainage sits in a narrow pre-runoff sweet spot that experienced anglers know not to sleep on. Flows are moderate, water clarity is typically at its best before May snowmelt muddies the picture, and both brown and rainbow trout are actively feeding at this temperature. Nymph rigs and dry-dropper setups are the standard late-April approach on both the Colorado and the Arkansas River. None of this week's national fishing feeds carried direct reports from these waters, so conditions here draw on gauge data and typical late-April patterns for Colorado's freestone and tailwater fisheries. Tonight's full moon can trigger feeding spikes at low-light periods — first light and last light are the priority windows this weekend. Watch gauge 09095500 closely: once flows push past 2,500 cfs, wading becomes difficult and bankside eddies become the better target.
Salmon Action at Buoy 10 as Oregon Coast Temps Sit at 53–54°F
Readings from NOAA buoy 46002 and 46029 place Oregon Coast surface temperatures at 53–54°F as of late morning April 30 — squarely within the productive range for spring Chinook. Saltwater Sportsman reports on the Buoy 10 Columbia River fishery near Astoria and Warrenton, where Capt. Hugh Harris targets chinook and coho in pre-dawn sessions, describing concentrated, close-quarters action near the river mouth. Offshore, conditions are demanding: swells of 6.6–7.5 ft (buoys 46029 and 46050) and sustained winds of 8 m/s across all three monitoring stations make bar crossings hazardous and limit access to exposed coastal grounds. Anglers who can work protected nearshore water or fish inside the river mouth confluence are best positioned right now. The full moon is driving strong tidal exchanges that typically push baitfish tight to current seams and structure. Check current Oregon regulations for spring Chinook retention rules before launching — this fishery is closely managed on a season-by-season basis.