"Coastal Maine Fishing Report: Stripers, Groundfish, and Mackerel Heating Up"

Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for March 22, 2025 along the Maine coast. It's a crisp morning out on the Atlantic, with temps hovering around 45° and a light breeze coming in from the northeast. Sunrise was at 6:35 AM and we're looking at sunset around 6:51 PM.

Tide-wise, we've got a high tide coming in at 4:48 AM measuring 9.22 feet, followed by a low at 11:29 AM at 1.44 feet. Another high hits at 5:38 PM at 8.08 feet. Keep an eye on those tides if you're fishing the rocky shorelines or inlets.

Fish activity has been picking up with the warmer weather. Striped bass are starting to show up in the rivers and estuaries. A few early birds have been hooking into some schoolies in the Kennebec and Penobscot. Nothing huge yet, but it's a good sign of things to come.

The groundfish bite has been steady offshore. Cod and haddock are still the main targets, with a few pollock mixed in. Folks heading out of Portland and Boothbay have been doing well in 150-200 feet of water. Diamond jigs and bucktail jigs tipped with clams have been the hot ticket.

For you mackerel fanatics, schools are starting to show up inshore. The commercial guys have been seeing good numbers, so recreational anglers should be in for a treat soon. Sabiki rigs are always a go-to, but small metal jigs work great too.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying your luck around the mouths of the Kennebec or Penobscot for those early stripers. If you're after groundfish, the ledges off Cashes Ledge have been producing well. For a shore-based option, the rocks at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth can be good for pollock and the occasional striper.

Bait-wise, fresh sea worms are starting to become available at the local shops. Always a good choice for stripers. For the offshore crowd, clams and squid are your best bets.

Remember to bundle up if you're heading out. The air might be warming, but that ocean is still mighty cold. Tight lines, folks!