"Striped Bass Migration Peaks, Groundfish Bite Stays Strong in Coastal Maine"

This is Artificial Lure with your Maine Atlantic fishing report for Sunday, May 18th, 2025.

After a classic, foggy May morning, things settled into a mild spring day—right around 60 degrees along the coast. Sunrise was just before 5:10 am, and sunset will come at 8:03 pm. Winds stayed light and variable, which made for comfortable conditions on both inshore waters and offshore runs.

Today’s big story is the striped bass migration. Schoolies are showing all around the lower rivers and estuaries, with some 30 to 40-inch fish moving in on the incoming tide. The best striper bite has been right around the herring runs and rocky points—places like the mouth of the Saco River and the Kennebunk marsh edges are lighting up. If you’re running out of Portland, the Presumpscot River mouth is holding fish too. Early morning and dusk have been the best shot at quality bass, especially while the herring and mackerel are schooled up close to shore[1][2].

For lures, folks are having luck with soft plastic paddle tails in natural colors, swimming plugs, and classic bucktail jigs on the outgoing tide. Live or fresh chunk mackerel and menhaden are drawing bigger fish, especially off sandy bars and deeper points. Fly anglers are connecting with olive and white deceivers on floating lines—smaller schoolies are chasing almost anything that moves right now[1][2].

Groundfishing is strong along Jeffrey’s Ledge and the nearshore humps, where haddock and pollock are filling coolers. Anglers bouncing diamond jigs or clam-baited rigs are reporting great numbers. If you’re looking for something different, the black sea bass and flounder bite is just kicking into gear around rocky patches and sandy bays[1].

The bluefish run is also underway in the back bays. Expect toothy choppers to turn up around bait balls—metal spoons and topwater spooks are drawing some explosive strikes[1].

On the commercial side, the northern Gulf of Maine scallop fishery remains open, with landings setting a brisk pace since reopening in April. Regulations are still in place, so be sure to check daily limits if you’re harvesting[3].

For hot spots, try the Saco River mouth, Biddeford Pool, and the rocky outflow near Fort Williams. Offshore, head for Jeffrey’s Ledge if you want to fill a bucket with haddock.

That’s the scoop from the shore and the boat this week. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water.