FishCondishCape Ann, MA Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Cape Ann, MA fishing report
Cape Ann offers a diverse season that kicks off in spring when striped bass push through on their northward migration, working the rocky points at Halibut and Straitsmouth Island. As water temps climb through summer, bluefish arrive and can be relentless at the outer ledges, while fluke settle into sandy pockets between the ledges and harbors. Black sea bass stack on any hard structure in 30 to 60 feet. Tautog are present spring and fall, hugging the same boulder fields. Weakfish and kingfish make occasional appearances in warmer inshore water, though both run thin here and should be considered a bonus catch.
Fish the first two hours of an incoming tide along rocky shorelines and harbor mouths — stripers and blues ambush baitfish pushed by the current. For tog, drop green crabs tight to submerged boulders. Fluke respond to bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp or spearing, drifted slowly along structure edges. Cooler water below 65 degrees shuts down fluke but brings the best striper action. Onshore wind pushes bait against the rocks and concentrates fish; northwesterly winds typically produce cleaner water on the south-facing shores. Watch for diving terns — they mark bluefish and bass feeding below.
Cape Ann, MA tide times
The closest NOAA tide station to Cape Ann, MA is Rockport (station 8441551), about 0.3 miles away. The mean tide range at this station is 8.7 ft. Predictions below are referenced to MLLW in local time.
| Date | Tides |
|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 1 | ▲ High 1:20 AM 9.2 ft▼ Low 7:41 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 1:50 PM 8.5 ft▼ Low 7:51 PM 0.9 ft |
| Sun, Aug 2 | ▲ High 1:59 AM 9.2 ft▼ Low 8:17 AM 0.2 ft▲ High 2:27 PM 8.8 ft▼ Low 8:34 PM 0.7 ft |
| Mon, Aug 3 | ▲ High 2:41 AM 9.1 ft▼ Low 8:57 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 3:08 PM 9.1 ft▼ Low 9:21 PM 0.5 ft |
| Tue, Aug 4 | ▲ High 3:27 AM 8.9 ft▼ Low 9:40 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 3:53 PM 9.3 ft▼ Low 10:13 PM 0.4 ft |
| Wed, Aug 5 | ▲ High 4:19 AM 8.6 ft▼ Low 10:28 AM 0.6 ft▲ High 4:44 PM 9.4 ft▼ Low 11:09 PM 0.3 ft |
| Thu, Aug 6 | ▲ High 5:17 AM 8.3 ft▼ Low 11:22 AM 0.8 ft▲ High 5:41 PM 9.5 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | ▼ Low 12:11 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 6:20 AM 8.1 ft▼ Low 12:21 PM 1 ft▲ High 6:43 PM 9.7 ft |
| Sat, Aug 8 | ▼ Low 1:16 AM 0.2 ft▲ High 7:28 AM 8 ft▼ Low 1:24 PM 1 ft▲ High 7:48 PM 9.8 ft |
| Sun, Aug 9 | ▼ Low 2:22 AM -0.1 ft▲ High 8:35 AM 8.1 ft▼ Low 2:29 PM 0.8 ft▲ High 8:52 PM 10.1 ft |
| Mon, Aug 10 | ▼ Low 3:25 AM -0.3 ft▲ High 9:39 AM 8.4 ft▼ Low 3:32 PM 0.6 ft▲ High 9:55 PM 10.4 ft |
Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS, regenerated daily. For the live water level, wind, and today's fishing score, open the Cape Ann, MA dashboard.
What's biting near Cape Ann, MA
The species most likely to be feeding the rocks, the harbors, and the ledges: striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Cape Ann, MA and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Cape Ann, MA fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Cape Ann, MA?
The species bite forecast for Cape Ann, MA covers what's likely feeding there, including striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Cape Ann, MA?
Dawn and dusk are usually the strongest windows at Cape Ann, MA, especially when they line up with moving water around a tide change. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Cape Ann, MA?
Spring and fall typically bring the most active fishing along the rocks, the harbors, and the ledges as fish migrate and feed heavily, with summer steady for warm-water species. It varies year to year, so check the live score before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Cape Ann, MA?
FishCondish combines wind, tide movement, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Cape Ann, MA, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Cape Ann, MA
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: