Striped bass fishing out of Saco / Biddeford starts at the Camp Ellis jetty on the Saco River mouth. It continues along the Saco Bay beaches and the rocks to the south, then out to troughs 80 to 200 ft deep offshore. This page covers when the fish are here, where boats run, what structure holds them, how they are fished locally and who fishes for them from this port.
The numbers are written for someone running their own boat. For general behavior and biology, see our striped bass guide.
When stripers are here
Striper fishing out of Saco / Biddeford follows the same pattern as the wider Gulf of Maine run (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide). Fish move into the bay in late spring and leave in the fall.
The season window
Saco charters list striper trips from mid May to early October or November.
Charter calendars
Keeper Charters sails daily from May through mid-October.
Where boats run from Saco / Biddeford
The water runs in a line from the river mouth along the beaches and the rocks to the south, then out to the offshore troughs.
- Inshore: Camp Ellis jetty, Saco River mouth, Saco Bay and the Old Orchard beaches.
- South side: Biddeford Pool, Fortunes Rocks and Goose Rocks Beach.
- Offshore: troughs half a mile to 2 miles out in 80 to 200 ft.
Camp Ellis jetty and the Saco River mouth
The Camp Ellis jetty sits at the Saco River mouth, where the inshore water begins.
Saco Bay and Old Orchard beaches
Boats run Saco Bay and the Old Orchard beaches, where mackerel-colored swimmers are trolled (covered under methods below).
Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks
Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks lie south of the Saco River mouth.
Goose Rocks Beach
Goose Rocks Beach (Biddeford) has a night striper bite on eels, with fish to 50 in.
Offshore troughs
Offshore, striper schools cruise troughs between structure half a mile to 2 miles out in 80 to 200 ft. Depth contours are how you find those troughs. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Named ledges and structure
These are the named grounds near the port. Depths are charted values.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ram Island Ledge | 6 | Shallow named ledge near the port |
| Negro Island Ledge | 8 | Shallow named ledge near the port |
| Camp Ellis jetty | n/a | At the Saco River mouth |
| Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks | n/a | South of the Saco River mouth |
| Goose Rocks Beach (Biddeford) | n/a | Night striper bite on eels, with fish to 50 in |
| Tantas Ledge | 300 | Deep ledge in range of the port |
| Jeffreys Ledge | 300 | Deep ledge in range of the port |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
Ram Island Ledge and Negro Island Ledge
Ram Island Ledge charts at 6 ft, and Negro Island Ledge at 8 ft.
Tantas Ledge and Jeffreys Ledge
Tantas Ledge and Jeffreys Ledge both chart at 300 ft. They are the deep grounds in range of the port. If your run goes past striper water, the offshore gamefish guides cover what lives out there.
How stripers are fished here
Each method below ties to a place covered above.
Mackerel, live-lined or chunked
Mackerel is live-lined or chunked, from the bay or the Camp Ellis jetty.
Live eels at night
Live eels are fished at night off Goose Rocks.
Trolling swimmers
Mackerel-colored swimmers are trolled along the beaches.
Sand-eel plastics
Plastics are matched to sand eels. Local choices are Albie Snax, Slug-Gos and epoxy jigs.
Reading buoy 44007
The nearest buoy is NDBC buoy 44007 off Portland, 12 NM southeast of Portland, ME, at 43.525N 70.140W. It sits off Portland rather than in Saco Bay, so it shows conditions on the wider water, not at the jetty.
Read wind, wave height and period, then check the official marine forecast before you run.
Who fishes stripers out of Saco / Biddeford
These local charters list striped bass:
- Keeper Charters: Capt. Marco Lamothe. 23 ft Sea Hunt center console with a Yamaha 200.
- Maine Tuna Fishing: Capt. Shawn Tibbetts. Miss Megan II. First mate Larry is named in a testimonial.
- The Struggle Is Reel Charters: Captain Chris Cobbett. 2502 Parker offshore sportfisher, 4 passengers.
- Keeping It Reel Charters: Capt. Dylan Cobbett.
- Maine Offshore Adventures: The listing names Captain Arthur Lombard and Captain Howard.
- Pritnear Heaven Charters: Vessel Pritnear Heaven.
FAQ: striped bass fishing out of Saco / Biddeford
When do stripers show up out of Saco / Biddeford?
Charters list trips from mid May to early October or November. Keeper Charters sails daily from May through mid-October.
How far out do boats run for striper schools?
Schools cruise troughs between structure half a mile to 2 miles out in 80 to 200 ft.
Where is the night eel bite?
Off Goose Rocks Beach in Biddeford. Boats fish live eels at night, and fish run to 50 in.
What bait works at the Camp Ellis jetty?
Mackerel, live-lined or chunked, from the bay or the jetty.
Which buoy do I check before heading out?
NDBC 44007, 12 NM southeast of Portland. It sits off Portland rather than in Saco Bay. Read wind, wave height and period, and check the official forecast.
Where are the striped bass rules?
The Maine Department of Marine Resources sets them. Check the state regulations page before fishing.
