Chilly Maine Fishing: Tides, Targets, and Tactics for January 12, 2025

For today, January 12, 2025, if you're planning to hit the waters off the coast of Maine, here's what you need to know.

First, let's look at the tides. For Bar Harbor, the high tide is at 9:04 AM with a height of 12.12 feet, and the low tide is at 3:34 PM with a height of -0.69 feet. Sunrise is at 7:06 AM, and sunset is at 4:16 PM[2].

The weather is cold, which is typical for this time of year, and it's expected to remain chilly with freezing temperatures predicted in the coming weeks. This cold front is starting to lock up smaller water bodies, making them suitable for ice anglers, but the larger waters are still open for now[1].

Out in the Atlantic, the fishing scene is varied. With the sea bass and striper seasons wrapped up, blackfish are currently the best option. Anglers are also finding success with tautog using white leggers and hermit crabs along the southern reefs. Bluefin tuna are still present, though they are slowly migrating south. Holdover stripers are active in the rivers, and some headboats are planning to sail for cod, pollock, and ling when conditions permit[1].

In the tidal tributaries, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and blue catfish are providing good action. For freshwater anglers, trout, crappie, and largemouth bass are available in various ponds and lakes. Brown trout, rainbows, and steelhead can be caught by drifting beads in areas with open water and tributary flows[1].

If you're looking for hot spots, consider the rivers and marshes for white perch and holdover stripers. For those venturing into freshwater, Messalonskee Stream in central Maine is a good bet, offering brook trout, splake, and brown trout year-round[4].

In terms of lures and bait, for brook trout, use small bait as they typically eat very small prey items. For blackfish and tautog, white leggers and hermit crabs are effective. For stripers, traditional lures like jigs and plugs can work well in the rivers. Remember to slow down your retrieve in cold water as fish tend to be lethargic this time of year[1][4].

Overall, it's a good time to be out on the water, whether you're targeting saltwater species or heading to the freshwater lakes and streams. Just make sure to check the ice conditions carefully if you're planning to ice fish.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI