Maine's Early Spring Fishing Report: Stripers, Flounder, and Tautog in Coastal Waters

Good morning anglers! Here’s your fishing report for Sunday, April 13, 2025, focused on the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters off Maine.

Today’s sunrise was at 5:58 AM, and sunset will be at 7:21 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out and enjoy the early spring fishing. Weather conditions are crisp, with temperatures reaching the low 40s°F and light northwest winds. The sky is expected to remain clear, offering calm waters for boating and great visibility for shorecasting.

The tides in the Portland, Maine, area show a high tide at 4:32 PM (4.11 ft) and a low tide at 11:48 AM (0.07 ft). These gradual tidal shifts provide excellent opportunities to target fish actively feeding along sandy beaches and estuaries during tidal movements.

Fish activity has been ramping up as spring sets in. Striped bass are becoming more active in rivers, estuaries, and nearshore waters, feeding on baitfish. Some early reports of 30- to 40-inch stripers have come from southern areas, attracted by herring runs. Flounder and tautog have also been noted in inshore areas, while offshore anglers are gearing up for the season. Just remember that haddock fishing officially begins May 1, but tautog fishing is excellent at this time in rocky spots.

For bait and lures, bloodworms and sandworms are top choices for stripers on bait rigs. Fresh cut bunker (menhaden) is also effective for larger fish. For artificial options, paddletails, jerkbaits, and bucktails in natural baitfish colors are proving highly successful. Nearshore flounder enthusiasts see good results with clams or squid on weighted rigs.

Hot spots to consider today include Reid State Park and Saco Bay for striped bass. These areas have a mix of sandy beaches and estuaries that attract feeding fish during the tidal shifts. Scarborough Marsh is another good choice, especially for anglers targeting stripers as they move into these shallows. For tautog, focus on rocky shorelines and nearshore structures, such as ledges and wrecks.

Finally, as water temperatures are still cold, slow and deliberate presentations will yield better results. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or shore, layers are key for staying comfortable, and safety should always be a priority in these early-season conditions.

Wishing you tight lines and a great day out on the water!