Stripers Bite Along Maine's Coast as Haddock Return Offshore

Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, June 15th, 2025, fishing report for Maine’s Atlantic coast.

Today’s tides around York Harbor see a high at 2:14 AM, a low at 8:11 AM, followed by another high at 2:18 PM and a low at 8:12 PM. Bar Harbor’s tides are similar, with highs at 1:49 AM and 1:47 PM, and lows at 7:38 AM and 7:43 PM. Sunrise this morning was at 5:02 AM, and you’ll be chasing the bite until sunset at 8:23 PM.

Weather’s been stable, with cool air holding on, but that’s not stopping the fishing action. According to Kittery Trading Post, the recent influx of warm weather is finally jump-starting the bite along the coast. Salmon and trout reports have been lighting up the freshwater scene, but today’s focus is the salt.

Striped bass are the main story right now. Brandy at Webhannet Bait and Tackle is spotting bass hammering herring in the Saco River—schools of stripers are holding in rivers that still have herring runs. If you like a little surf action, schoolie feeds are firing near the Cliff House, especially at dawn and dusk. Saco Bay Tackle reports that bone-colored SP Minnows and white soft plastic stick baits are taking fish, with the tried-and-true tube-and-worm still putting stripers on the deck. For live bait fans, mackerel are more available and work wonders, either live-lined or chunked. Sabiki rigs in size 10-12 with gold flash are turning up plenty of macks for both bait and fun.

Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters says the Casco Bay area is improving as fish push further down to river mouths and into the shallow marshes. Fish the outgoing tide in the rivers for active bass, and work grass banks on the incoming tide where some stripers are picking off grass shrimp. As more mackerel flood in on the ocean side, expect bigger stripers lurking just off the ledges and islands.

Offshore, the groundfish scene is still hot. On The Water magazine reports that haddock in the 5-10 pound range are coming over the rails, reminiscent of better days gone by. Redfish and pollock are mixed in, and with steady ground swells, bigger boats are cashing in.

A couple of hot spots for today:
- The mouth of the Saco River is a must for early morning stripers. Work the edges during the outgoing tide and have a selection of minnow plugs, paddletails, and live or chunk mackerel.
- Casco Bay marshes and the Scarborough River are firing, especially as the tide moves in. Cast along the banks and sod edges with small topwaters or shrimp patterns for best results.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Maine Atlantic Ocean fishing report. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss out on the latest bite.

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