Good morning, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025. We’re finally on the cusp of that springtime awakening, with the air warming up into the high 50s and possibly touching 60 today. Sunrise hit at 5:57 am and sunset is set for 7:30 pm, giving you a good long window to wet a line from dawn till dusk.

Let’s talk tides. Today, the outgoing tide dominates in the early morning, and we’ll see a strong push around midday. Outflows on the west end near Buzzards Bay should be especially promising if you’re targeting early season action.

Now, as for the fish—everyone’s eager for the first wave of migratory stripers to hit the Canal. The herring are already around, stacking up in the rivers and along the south side beaches, which bodes well. Holdover stripers have been reported in the estuaries, and though the big migration still feels about a week away, you could spot a few early arrivals if you put your time in. Try glidebaits, metal lips, or classic surface swimmers like Red Fins and Bombers, especially in the morning and evening. Big soft plastics are also worth a shot, mimicking the abundant herring and other early season baitfish. The key is working the low-light periods near structure and current breaks, especially during moving water[1].

If you’re itching for a bent rod, freshwater has been on fire nearby. Trout fishing is getting the most attention on the Cape, with local ponds loaded up after recent stockings. Inline spinners, spoons, shiners, and small flies like Woolly Buggers have all been producing. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are starting to wake up and feed aggressively in the ponds, with the best action coming on curly-tail grubs and 1/4-ounce jigheads[2].

For saltwater bottom fish, the tautog bite in the Canal is still a bit slow given the cooler water. A stretch of sunshine will help, and green crabs and seaworms are your best bet for togging. Haddock fishing north of Cape Cod has been lights out, with clams the top bait. If you’re up for a drive, check out Buzzards Bay for spring tautog or haddock grounds if you’re heading offshore[1][5].

Hot spots today include the west end of the Cape Cod Canal for a crack at early stripers, especially near the railroad bridge and along the rocky ledges. For trout, Grews and Ashumet ponds near Falmouth are producing well.

That’s your report. Bundle up, keep your cast steady, and you might just be the first to land a fresh-run striper this year. Good luck out there!