Maine Coast Fishing Report: Stripers, Haddock, and More

Good morning from the Maine coast. Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, May 17th Atlantic Ocean fishing report.

Today’s sunrise was at 5:10 AM and sunset will be at 8:02 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with. Tides are running strong on the back end of the recent full moon, with high tide hitting mid-morning and again late this evening—great windows for activity. The weather is shaping up fair and mild, with light winds out of the southwest expected to shift along the shore. Water levels remain a bit high for this time in May, so keep that in mind if you’re wading or launching from the rivers[3].

The big news this weekend is the arrival of fresh runs of striped bass all along the southern Maine coast. Good numbers of schoolies and some keepers are showing up from the Saco River north to Casco Bay. Anglers are finding fast action where river herring are thick—look for the bass to be ambushing bait in the mouths of the Saco, Scarborough, Mousam, and York Rivers as well as in Scarborough Marsh and Higgins Beach[1]. Early birds are doing well casting bloodworms and soft plastics like AlbieSnax and six inch Slug-Gos; try white on murkier days and naturals when the water is clear[1].

Fly anglers are having luck with Clousers, and spin casters are picking up fish on white Ron-Zs. For those after groundfish, haddock are chewing well offshore from Outer Scantum to the Cove with steady numbers and excellent size reported. Platts jigs are a solid choice for the deeper stuff. Mackerel are starting to move onto offshore ledges too, which could mean a shot at early bluefin soon[1].

Elsewhere, sea run brown trout are a possibility in the Kennebunk, Mousam, and Ogunquit rivers, and winter flounder catches have been reported near Ogunquit Beach. Keep an eye out for scallop opportunities if you’re venturing east toward the Gulf of Maine, as the NGOM area is open for harvest, though quotas are being monitored closely this year[5].

Hot spots to check today include the Saco River mouth around Camp Ellis for bass and herring, and Jeffrey’s Ledge offshore for a mixed bag of haddock and mackerel. The York River is another prime location for a mixed-striper bite, and don’t overlook Ogunquit Beach for a shot at flounder[1].

That’s the pulse from the water this morning. Tight lines, fish smart, and remember to respect the resource. I’ll see you on the tide.