Fishing for Piscataqua River
Striped Bass

By Mike Christy

   The Piscataqua River provides a fairly narrow channel to the ocean for six different rivers as well as Great and Little Bay. It's depth ranges to greater than 70 feet. With tidal currents running at an average of 4 knots, some of the fastest currents on the east coast are found in its waters. It is a border river with the State of Maine on it's northern bank and New Hampshire on its southern.
   There are unlimited points of structure and good water found throughout it's entire run. It would take a lifetime of fishing on the Piscataqua to know every bass holding eddy and hole, and some of those areas change daily or even hourly with the tide.

   Most successful anglers primarily fish live bait on structure because of the river's fast currents and hard, craggy bottom.  You will find little surface action on the Piscataqua. Except for the rare explosion of a pod of bass on bait, blind casting into rocky coastal shallows will be most productive for plug casting fishermen. Fly fishing is ever increasing in popularity and despite fast currents, there are many tidal flats that provide excellent fishing opportunities.
    Trolling along drop offs and rocky shores with surge tubes and large spoons has been a proven method for boating stripers, just watch the bottom line on your depth finder so not to get snagged.
  Below you will find two maps presenting an overview of striped bass producing hot spots on the upper and lower Piscataqua. They encompass waters from from the mouth of the river near New Castle up to Goat Island in Newington. The Red markers on the maps are fishing spots, the green markers are public access boat launches.
  Also listed are access points for fishing from shore for both sections of the river. Soaking chunks of mackerel is the prefered method for taking bass from shore.

   The upper portion of the Piscataqua is dominated by the General Sullivan bridge which spans the river from Newington to Dover Point. All of the water from Great and Little Bay must pass under this bridge twice a day. Actually there are two bridges, one carries traffic, the other is closed which gives the angler an opportunity to try for a keeper bass from its railings. Hilton State Park provides both a boat ramp and shore fishing access. Farther down the river on the Maine side is Dead Duck Landing in Eliot. Depending on your location on this section of the river, add 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours to the time of the tide for Portsmouth Harbor.

Upper River Hot Spots (Red)

Upper River Boat Launches (Green)

1. Hilton State Park, Route 4 Dover. Ample Parking, not accessible at all tides.
2. Great Bay Marina, Newington. Ample Parking, not accessible at all tides.
3. Little Bay Marina, Dover. Limited parking, not accessible at all tides.
4. Town of Eliot Public Launch (Dead Duck) Route 103 Eliot Maine , accessible at all tides

Spots to try on the Upper Piscataqua

• The perimeter of Hilton State Park off of Route 4 in Dover Point offers many great spots for striper fishing.
• The point just east of the bridges between spots #4 and #5 in Newington is a popular site.
• Dropping a line from the old General Sullivan bridge, or under it has caught many a bass.
• The culvert on River Road (Route 103) in Eliot Maine during outgoing tides should provide action.
• Dead Duck Landing off of Route 103 in Eliot provides excellent shore access to the Piscataqua.
• William Bray Memorial Park off of Route 101 in So. Berwick has great potential for fly fishermen.
  

   The main focus of the lower section of the Piscataqua river is the Portsmouth Navel Shipyard located on Seavy Island. The tide flows around the navy yard in two channels, the large main channel and the smaller back channel. Both channels provide excellent striped bass water. Peirce Island hosts the main public boat launch as well as shore access to the main channel for striper fishermen. The Memorial and Sara Mildred Long bridges span the river in this section also, and provide structure for ambushing bass. The ice breaker on the New Hampshire side of the river sits in 15' of water which quickly drops off to 45' near the green cans. Fishing this ledge has proven very beneficial in the past. 

Lower River Hot Spots

Lower River Boat Launches (Green)

1. Peirce Island, Mechanic St., Portsmouth. Accessible at all tides, ample parking
2. Odiorne State Park, Rye. Not Accessible at all tides, ample parking.
3. Traip Academy, Kittery. Not accessible at all tides, ample parking

Spots to try on the lower Piscataqua

• The shores of Peirce Island allows excellent access to a great rip on the main channel for shore fishermen. Adjacent Four Tree Island has some great spots to cast from too.
• The second Route 1B bridge to New Castle is a popular site, parking is limited. Pick your side to fish depending on the direction of the tide.
• Under the Sara Long bridge in Kittery Maine has access to a great tidal rip over a shallow ledge. Take the Route 1 Bypass and park under the bridge.
• Believe it or not, but the small bridge on Maplewood Ave which crosses the North Mill Pond near the newspaper building has harbored big fish. Try the point at the end of Marsh Lane just after the bridge too.
• There are several spots to pull over on Route 1A as it winds along the rocky N.H. coast. Throw out a chunk or plug and you never know when or where a bass might be lurking about.
• Fort Stark and Great Island Common (both with jetties) on Route 1B in New Castle is highly recommended for pluggin around the coastal rocks and breakers.
• Sea Point Beach and Fort Foster in Kittery Point is popular for picnickers and swimmers, but big bass hang out there too. Fort Foster has a large pier near prime striper territory.
• There's always Pirates Cove and the Rye Beaches after the sun bathers go home. 40 inch+ fish have been pulled from these beaches in recent times. High tides are your best bet after dusk.
• Odiorne State Park has access to a jetty which should produce and great access to a rocky shore. Both are a good hike.
• You may try the Kittery Public Landing on the back channel, if you dont mind the smell of lobster bait. Large gill netters and trawlers are sometimes docked and may get in the way.
• Behind Warrens Lobster House Restaurant on Route 1 in Kittery has a small embankment to the water, many schoolies have been pulled from there.
  

State of Maine
Regulations

Striped Bass

• Season: June 10 to October 15
• Size and Bag Limit: One fish between 20 and 26 inches in total length per day or one fish 40 inches or greater per day
• Gear is restricted to hook and line only
• Use of a gaff to land a striped bass is illegal
• It is illegal to sell Maine caught striped bass.
• Striped Bass fishing is prohibited from December 1 through April 30 in special waters including the Kennebec and Sheepscot watersheds. Also gear is restricted to hook and line with single hooked artificial lures only between May 1 through June 30.
• Contact the Maine department of Marine Resources for more information.

Blue Fish

• There is no minimum size. The daily bag limit is 3 fish per angler per day.

State of New Hampshire
Regulations

Striped Bass

• Season: no closed season
• Size and Bag Limit: one fish 28 inches or greater per day (fish must be kept with head and tail intact)
• Sale of striped bass is prohibited
• Netting is prohibited (except landing nets)
• Gaffing is prohibited

Blue Fish

• Season: no closed season
• Size and Bag Limit: daily limit 10 fish by hook and line, no minimum size.
• Contact New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for more information.