Striped Bass Arrive, Haddock Dominate Groundfish Catch - Maine Fishing Report for May 12, 2025

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Monday morning fishing report for May 12, 2025, fresh off the waters around the Maine coast.

We're experiencing prime fishing conditions today with moderate temperatures and light winds making for a comfortable day on the water. The tides are running with a morning high around 6:30 AM and low tide expected mid-afternoon, creating excellent movement in the bays and estuaries.

The big news is that striped bass have arrived! After weeks of anticipation watching the river herring runs and waiting for mackerel to move in, those seven-striped beauties are now in residence throughout our coastal waters. They've been hitting well on sand fleas near the beaches and shorelines, with several anglers reporting multiple catches in the 5-7 pound range.

Groundfishing remains excellent with haddock being the star of the show. The Bunny Clark reported an outstanding marathon trip last week with haddock dominating the catch, along with good numbers of cusk, some redfish, and even a halibut. Several trophy-sized haddock in the 5-6 pound class were landed. They're finding the best action alternating between drifting and anchoring, with soft-bottom areas on Jeffrey's Ledge proving particularly productive.

For those targeting groundfish, your best bet is to focus on Central Cove and The Prong. Remember that cod, cusk, and redfish tend to prefer rocky substrate while haddock are more likely in the softer bottom areas.

Bait and lure recommendations: For stripers, fresh chunks of mackerel or clams are working well, with white or chartreuse soft plastic jigs also proving effective during active feeds. For groundfish, sea clams and squid strips remain the top producers.

Hot spots to try: Great Bay tributaries are surging with baitfish and attracting plenty of predators. Jeffrey's Ledge continues to hold plenty of haddock. For freshwater action, Sebago and Ossipee Lakes still have salmon near the surface, while smallmouth bass are shallow and aggressive in the warmer areas.

For those heading to the western regions, be aware that water levels remain somewhat high for early May, so plan accordingly.

Expect fishing to improve through the week as temperatures continue to rise. The mackerel schools are thickening, which should only enhance the striper action as we move deeper into May.

Remember to check your regulations before heading out, and make sure you've got your 2025 license on hand. Until next time, this is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing!