Good morning from the banks of the Cape Cod Canal. This is Artificial Lure with your Saturday April 19th local fishing report. The spring bite is stirring, and it is time to dust off your gear if you have not already.

Sunrise hit at 5:56am and sunset will be at 7:31pm today, giving us a good long window to fish. The weather looks promising—expect temperatures climbing into the high 50s and maybe reaching 60 by midday, with mostly clear skies and a light breeze. That means comfortable conditions and active fish, especially as waters keep slowly warming after a cold winter.

Tidal swings are always key here. High tide rolls in early today, and the dropping tide will be prime for tossing lures along the east end of the Canal or working the rock edges by the railroad bridge and Herring Run. These are my go-to hot spots this time of year.

Fishing action so far is showing plenty of promise. Small holdover striped bass are starting to poke around the creeks and streams feeding the Canal. The bigger migratory stripers are still a week or two out, but savvy anglers are already seeing some schoolies up to about 24 inches on soft plastics and small jigs. Keep an eye on the huge numbers of herring moving upriver—where there’s bait, those larger bass will soon follow.

For now, I recommend scaling down your tackle. Seven or eight foot rods matched with light spinning reels are ideal for landing early season stripers. Top baits this week are small glidebaits, surface swimming plugs like Red Fins, Bombers, and metal-lipped swimmers. Big soft plastics in natural colors are working—think paddle tails and slender swimbaits. If you’re looking to bend a rod on something different, tautog are starting to bite around the Canal as well. Seaworms and crabs are the ticket for tog, and local shops are keeping both in stock.

On the freshwater side, trout fishing remains solid in the stocked ponds, with shiners and small spinners getting bites, and largemouth bass are waking up and feeding hard as they get ready for the spawn.

In short, it is still a little early for blitzes of big stripers in the Canal, but the action is picking up fast. Try your luck at the railroad bridge for stripers at dusk or dawn, or fish the stone edges near the Sagamore for early tautog. Keep your setups light, your lures small, and your eyes open for the first big push of migratory bass any day now.

Tight lines and good luck out there.

Cape Cod Canal Fishing Report for Friday, April 18, 2025

Hello from Artificial Lure, your local fishing and angling expert with the report for today on the Cape Cod Canal and nearby waters.

Let’s start with the conditions. Sunrise this morning is at 5:57 AM, with sunset at 7:26 PM. Tides are running with a high at 2:51 AM, low at 9:26 AM, another high at 3:32 PM, and low again at 9:35 PM. Plan your outing to hit those moving tides, especially early morning and mid-afternoon, for your best shot at some action[6][10].

Weather’s looking solid for mid-April, with daytime highs in the upper 50s to 60 degrees, which is helping both the water temp and the fish activity. We’re still coming off a cool stretch, so the bite can be a touch spotty, but things are turning on[2].

Now, for what’s biting. The early spring striper action is just about to pop. Some reports this week have schoolie stripers caught in Buzzards Bay and a few in estuaries, especially near river herring runs, and a handful of schoolies have poked into the canal. Most are smaller migratory fish, many with sea lice. The bigger bass aren’t in thick yet, but it’s only a matter of days before the numbers jump. Tautog are picking up in the Canal, mostly at the west end and rockier stretches, though the bite is still better on warmer, sunnier days. If you’re targeting tog, try using green crabs or juicy clam baits fished close to bottom structure[1][2][5].

Elsewhere on the Cape, kettle ponds are loaded with stocked trout—rainbow and brown mostly—and they’re taking small spoons, spinners, and PowerBait, as well as shiners. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are waking up and feeding hard, especially in herring-run and bog ponds. Bring the big swimbaits, glidebaits, and wakebaits if you chase largies in the afternoons[2][3].

The Canal itself is still a few days away from the first real run of migrating stripers, but now is the time to start prospecting. For stripers and blues, local favorite lures are the Magic Swimmer in the fast-sinking version, Savage Gear Sand Eel, and big topwater spooks, especially in mackerel and herring patterns. These are proven producers year after year and let you cover the deep and fast water the Canal is known for[7][8].

A couple of hot spots to check today are the Herring Run Recreation Area and the west end between the Cape Cod Railroad Bridge and the Bourne Bridge, especially by the rocks. Other reliable options include the Buzzards Bay and Sagamore Recreation Areas. Early in the season, these areas tend to see the first pushes of bait and migratory fish[8].

That’s the Cape Cod Canal report for today. Schoolies and tog are here, trout and bass are popping across the Cape, and the first wave of big stripers is just about to slide in. Fish the tides, bring the right lures, and don’t sleep on those hot spots. Good luck out there!

Artificial Lure here, checking in with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

We’re off to a solid start this spring. The sun rose at 6:00 AM and will set at 7:24 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to put in the hours. Weather looks to be classic Cape April—chilly early, warming up slightly by midday, and a touch breezy, so bring that windbreaker.

For tides today in the Canal, high tide came at 4:22 AM and will return at 4:57 PM, with low tides at 11:42 AM and late tonight at 11:50 PM. Over at Bournedale, high water was at 1:31 AM and 2:06 PM, with lows just after sun-up at 8:01 AM and again this evening at 8:09 PM. That late morning to midday falling tide is always worth a cast or two, especially with the current running strong and the bait getting churned up[1][3][5].

Now onto the bite—schoolies and the early slots are showing up Canal-wide, and there have been reliable stories of a few mid-30-inch stripers and even a couple pushing low 40s pulled from the east end near the power lines. Most of the action recently has been on loaded pencil poppers, spooks, and white or pink paddletail soft plastics. Surface plugs have produced some wild topwater explosions most mornings, but as the sun climbs, working subsurface with heavy jigs or bucktails has been the ticket for bigger fish holding deeper[6][7].

Hot baits right now include the Magic Swimmer in mackerel or white, heavy Savage Gear Sand Eels (especially in green mackerel), and old reliable loaded Red Fins. If you want the best odds, work the slack and start of the east-running current—stripers are pushing in behind schools of peanut bunker, smaller mackerel, even butterfish and squid, so match those colors. Pink and white paddletails are working well, and don’t be afraid to throw a classic bucktail jig for action down deep[6][7][8].

Canal variety is right on schedule—bluefish have been a little spotty, but they’re here, and folks have seen black sea bass and the first scout bonito mixed in. For those targeting big ones, the stretch near the Stone Church and the mid-Canal access points like the Herring Run and Sagamore Rec Area have been local favorites this week. On the Cape side, Scusset Beach is well worth a dawn patrol or sunset run[8].

In short, the Canal is fishing well for April. Focus on the moving tides, pay attention to the bait, and keep those white, pink, and mackerel-colored lures handy. Good luck out there and remember—tight lines and mind the rocks!

Fishing Report for April 14, 2025 – Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts

It’s shaping up to be a great day for fishing in the Cape Cod Canal. The sunrise at 6:03 AM and sunset at 7:22 PM allow for plenty of daylight to get your lines in the water. The tides today include a low tide at 5:36 AM, a high tide at 10:53 AM, another low at 3:40 PM, and a high tide rounding out the day at 11:11 PM. These tidal shifts are ideal for targeting various species depending on their feeding patterns.

The weather is mild, with temperatures expected to hover around the low 60s and light winds—a welcomed break for anglers frustrated by recent unsettled conditions. With the water warming, striped bass activity is picking up, especially near the east and west ends of the canal around bridges and rocky ledges.

Striped bass remains the star of the show, with slot-sized schoolies and even some 30 to 40-pound class fish being reported. Recent catches have been driven by a mix of baitfish in the canal, such as peanut bunker, mackerel, and squid. Anglers have found success using topwater lures like white or pink pencil poppers and the productive Magic Swimmer swimbait, which excels in the canal’s strong currents. Subsurface offerings such as paddletails, bucktails, and loaded plugs are also yielding good results for larger bass holding deeper. For those jigging, the Savage Gear Sand Eel in green mackerel has been a standout.

Tautog are also an emerging option, especially around structure like rock piles near the Mass Maritime Academy breakwater. Anglers are catching shorts and keeper-sized tog using bait such as sea clams, with green crabs expected to be more available soon. This fishery will only improve as water temperatures climb toward the 50-degree mark.

Key hot spots today include the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area at the west end, which has seen excellent striper action during mid-morning tidal movements. For tautog, try dropping bait near rocky areas at the east end, especially by the Mass Maritime Academy or around Scusset Beach. Another reliable area is the Herring Run Recreation Area, where baitfish congregate and predatory species follow.

Overall, conditions are primed for a productive day. Whether you’re casting from the shore or jigging from a pier, today offers opportunities to hook into quality striped bass and tautog. Make sure to pack a variety of lures in white, pink, or green, prepared to adjust to depth and current conditions. Tight lines!

The fishing scene at the Cape Cod Canal is heating up as spring settles in, and April 12, 2025, promises some exciting opportunities for anglers. Here’s today’s report:

The tide chart for the Cape Cod Canal shows a high tide at 2:03 AM and another at 2:27 PM, with low tides at 9:12 AM and 9:26 PM. Sunrise will be at 6:04 AM, and sunset will light up the sky at 7:20 PM. These are important details as tide changes often dictate the best fishing action in the Canal.

The weather today looks favorable for fishing, with clearer skies and mild temperatures expected to reach the low 60s. These conditions are ideal for targeting tautog and early season striped bass, both of which are becoming active in the area. Tautog, also known as blackfish, are being caught near rocky structures using crabs and seaworms as bait. Early migratory schoolie striped bass are starting to move into the Canal and nearby streams, particularly around herring runs.

Anglers targeting stripers should focus on using lures that mimic local baitfish, such as the Magic Swimmer swimbait for its realistic movement in current. Topwater action can also be achieved using a 9-inch pencil popper or a Tsunami Talkin’ Popper. For those fishing deeper, jigs like the Savage Gear Sand Eel in green mackerel are performing well, especially during quieter tide phases.

Recently, tautog have been largely reported around the Mass Maritime Academy breakwater, where both shorts and keepers are being hooked. Striper activity has been strongest near bridges, drop-offs, and rip currents. These structures provide shelter and high feeding potential. Top hot spots include the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, the Herring Run Recreation Area, and Scusset Beach, which has a dedicated fishing pier.

Spring fishing typically sees a mix of species. Beyond tautog and stripers, you might encounter cod, haddock, or even bluefish as the season progresses. Right now, tautog are a reliable option while stripers are building their presence.

Be sure to prepare with the right tackle, and head out early to capitalize on the morning bite around the changing tides. Whether casting from Scusset Beach Pier or the Tidal Flats Recreation Area, you’re in for a great fishing day on the Cape Cod Canal. Happy fishing!

Today, April 11, 2025, the Cape Cod Canal is buzzing with early spring fishing activity, and anglers are gearing up for a productive day on the water. The tidal schedule is favorable: low tide is expected at 3:47 AM, followed by high tide at 9:06 AM, with another low tide at 3:59 PM and high tide at 9:22 PM. Sunrise is at 6:08 AM, and sunset is at 7:19 PM, which provides a solid window for fishing during prime light conditions.

Weather-wise, the morning promises cooler temperatures with light winds, but the day should warm up into the low 60s with clear skies, ideal for a day on the Canal's rocky shores. Fish activity is on the rise as the spring season transitions, with the water temperatures gradually climbing, encouraging species like striped bass to move into the Canal.

Recent catches from the area show a strong presence of striped bass, with notable fish measuring upwards of 40 inches and weighing over 30 pounds. These larger fish have been reported near the east end of the Canal, where anglers have been using topwater plugs like the Magic Swimmer and pencil poppers in white and pink to replicate the small squid and baitfish currently in the water. Subsurface lures such as paddletail swimbaits, bucktails, and jigs tipped with soft plastics are also proving effective for stripers holding near the bottom.

For those targeting tautog, the bite is beginning to develop near rocky areas such as the Mass Maritime Academy breakwater. Cadets have reported success using sea clams as bait. As green crabs become more readily available later in the month, the tautog fishing is expected to improve further.

Hotspots to consider today include the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area and the Herring Run Recreation Area. These spots are seeing consistent action with striped bass thanks to the tidal flows concentrating baitfish. Additionally, the east end of the Canal has been productive during early mornings, particularly for anglers employing loaded pencil poppers and spooks.

If you're heading out, make sure to bring top-tier lures like the OutCast Lures Long Caster Pencil Popper for surface action or the Savage Gear Sand Eel in green mackerel for deeper strikes. These lures have been reliable for the larger bass. Be prepared with proper footwear and a fish gripper for navigating the rocky terrain and handling sizeable fish.

With improving conditions and increasing fish activity, now is a great time to hit the Cape Cod Canal. Tight lines!

Fishing Report for April 9, 2025 - Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts

The fishing season is springing to life at the Cape Cod Canal as water temperatures begin to climb. Here’s what you need to know about today’s fishing conditions and recent activity:

Tides and Weather: Today's high tide occurred earlier in the morning, with low tide this afternoon. The current shift between tides should favor fish activity. The weather has been a mix of sunshine and moderate clouds, with temperatures around the 50s to low 60s, perfect for staying out on the Canal's banks. Wind is minimal, making for an easier cast and comfortable fishing conditions. Sunrise was at 6:03 AM, and sunset will be at 7:14 PM.

Fish Activity and Catches: Striped bass have been the talk of the Canal as the spring migration begins. Larger bass are still a few weeks away, but schoolie-sized and occasional slot fish are showing up at various spots, particularly near the east end and around the Sagamore Bridge. Anglers have reported success using white and green-colored offerings, including pencil poppers and paddletails. Early reports of tautog catches have also surfaced near the Mass Maritime Academy breakwater, with smaller fish caught on sea clams. If you’re inclined toward freshwater fishing, kettle ponds nearby have been delivering good trout action with stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

Best Tactics and Baits: Striped bass have been feeding on smaller squid, peanut bunker, and mackerel in the Canal. Lures like the Magic Swimmer swimbait (fast-sinking), paddletail jigheads in green mackerel, or pencil poppers in white are highly effective. The swift currents require heavier setups and baits to hold the strike zones. For tautog, sea clams are working best as green crabs remain scarce for now.

Hot Spots: For striped bass, the east end near the Sagamore Recreation Area and the waters around Scusset Beach are prime locations. The Herring Run Recreation Area has also seen some early bass activity as herring runs start. For tautog, stick to the shallow rock piles near the Mass Maritime Academy.

Takeaway: Spring fishing is heating up on the Canal. Bring the right lures and heavier gear to handle the current and maximize your day. Whether you’re hunting schoolies or aiming for tautog, now’s the time to cast your line and enjoy the early season action!

Fishing Report for Cape Cod Canal – April 4, 2025:

Spring fishing is slowly heating up around the Cape Cod Canal! Today, temperatures are mild with highs reaching the low 50s, and light winds keep conditions manageable for anglers. The sunrise at 6:20 AM and sunset at 7:15 PM give plenty of daylight to wet a line. Tidal conditions are favorable, with an eastward current change around midday, prime time for targeting stripers along current seams.

Recent activity in the Canal has seen some notable catches. Striped bass are slowly making their way north, and though the big migratory fish are still a couple of weeks out, resident schoolies and occasional slot-sized bass are being caught. Reports also hint at tautog activity starting to pick up with warming waters approaching 50°F. Small mackerel and squid schools are present, fueling the bite.

For lures, the Cape Cod Canal classics are working well. The Magic Swimmer is a top performer, especially in deeper areas with a steady retrieve against the current. Savage Gear Sand Eel lures in green mackerel are also excellent for bouncing closer to the bottom, mimicking sand eels and mackerel. For surface action, white pencil poppers and paddletail swimbaits in pink or white are attracting attention from stripers. Those targeting tautog should prepare with green crabs.

Trout fishing in kettle ponds around the Cape is also excellent, with anglers catching stocked rainbows, browns, and brook trout. Inline spinners, spoons, and small plastics have been effective, while fly anglers are reporting success with Woolly Buggers and nymphs.

Hot spots in the Canal include the east end near the Sagamore Recreation Area and the Herring Run Recreation Area. These spots offer easy access and reliable action. The west end near the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area is another solid choice, especially during tidal shifts.

For bait fishing enthusiasts, live eels after dark and bunker chunks remain reliable options for stripers. Just be sure to use circle hooks for compliance with regulations.

Overall, while it’s still early in the season, the action is steady and promising, making now a great time to fish Cape Cod Canal. Tight lines!

Fishing around the Cape Cod Canal today, April 4, 2025, is shaping up to be a promising outing with spring in full swing. Here’s the latest report to get you prepped for success:

The weather today is mild with early morning temperatures in the mid-40s, climbing to the mid-50s later in the day. Winds are light out of the southwest, and skies are expected to be partly cloudy. Sunrise is at 6:15 AM, and sunset will be at 7:14 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to find your catch.

The tidal activity favors fishing today, with a morning high tide around 8:00 AM and a low tide around 2:30 PM. As always, the slack tide periods offer the best chance for line-tightening action in the Canal’s swift currents.

In terms of fish activity, striped bass are still a couple of weeks away from their major spring migration, but some resident schoolies have already been spotted in the area. The tautog (blackfish) season is just beginning, with better action expected as water temperatures warm toward 50°F. In the meantime, a few anglers have had luck landing smaller tautog near rocky areas in Buzzards Bay. For trout enthusiasts, the kettle ponds and bog ponds across the Cape are fishing exceptionally well with stocked rainbows, browns, and brookies.

Recent catches from the Canal itself have included small striped bass and the occasional Atlantic mackerel. Striped bass, one of the area’s signature catches, tends to frequent current breaks and underwater structures, so targeting these should yield better results.

For lures, the Magic Swimmer remains a solid choice for striped bass, ideally in the heavier sinking models to navigate the Canal’s depths and currents. Paddletail swimbaits like FishLab Mad Eel or Al Gag’s Whip-It Fish have also shown great success, especially in white or green mackerel colors. For live bait, green crabs and seaworms are excellent for tautog, while shiners still dominate the trout scene in freshwater.

For hot spots, consider targeting the Tidal Flats Recreation Area or Scusset Beach, especially near the fish pier. Other productive spots include the Herring Run Recreation Area and Bourne Scenic Park, where structures create prime habitats for fish.

Whether you’re plugging for bass, jigging for tautog, or casting for trout in the ponds, today offers a variety of opportunities for every angler. Tight lines and good luck out there!

Today, April 2, 2025, fishing in and around the Cape Cod Canal offers promising conditions for anglers looking to hook into early spring action. Here’s what’s happening.

Sunrise was at 6:21 AM, and sunset will be at 7:10 PM today, giving plenty of daylight for fishing. The tides are key to success in the Canal, with today’s first high tide peaking early at 5:02 AM followed by a low tide at 12:27 PM, and another high tide at 5:41 PM. Fishing the shifts in tide, especially near high water or as the tide begins to move, can yield the best results.

The weather today is expected to be mild, with clear skies and light winds—ideal for casting and making the most of the day. Water temperatures around the Canal remain cool in the upper 40s to low 50s, attracting migratory species like striped bass, which are starting to show in greater numbers alongside the traditional herring runs.

In terms of fish activity, schoolie striped bass are currently the main attraction within the Canal, particularly around the Herring Run and toward the east end. The presence of herring, pogies, and even some small squid has drawn the attention of these bass, and the action should continue to improve in the coming days as water temperatures rise. While most of the stripers being caught are smaller fish, there have been reports of larger slot-sized fish mixed in, particularly during the early morning and evening hours.

For the best bait and tackle, anglers are having success with white or green mackerel paddle tail jigs, Savage Gear Sand Eels, and the dependable Magic Swimmer. These lures mimic the local forage, including sand eels and herring, and perform well in the Canal’s strong currents. For traditionalists, live eels remain a deadly choice when fished during slower tide stages at night.

Recent catches have included good numbers of striped bass, with some anglers even reporting bluefish in the mix, though it’s still early for their consistent appearance. The tautog bite is also picking up in nearby Buzzards Bay, with keeper-sized fish being landed on green crabs near deeper rock piles.

As for hotspots, the Herring Run Recreation Area is a reliable starting point. Stripers can often be found staging near the run, waiting for bait to funnel through. Additionally, the Sagamore Recreation Area and Scusset Beach are excellent locations, offering easy access and productive fishing on both tides.

Overall, today promises a great opportunity for anglers to get on the water and enjoy some early spring action in the Cape Cod Canal. With the right lures, a focus on tidal changes, and targeting bait-rich areas, the fishing should not disappoint. Tight lines!