Daily fishing verdict · 2026-05-02

Smallmouth stirring, but water's still cool.

Published: 2026-05-02 moderate confidence Written from: the dock at 1511 Oak Orchard River Rd, Waterport, NY

At 52.7°F and a 2.3-degree drop overnight, the river is a bit chilly for smallmouth to be fully switched on — they want 60°F-plus to really get going. Flow is steady at 471 cfs and visibility is clearing, so conditions are decent enough to explore. Could go either way out there, so manage your expectations and stay patient.

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