US Northeast · United States

Fishing in Gloucester, Massachusetts

America's oldest seaport is one of the premier giant bluefin tuna ports on the Atlantic coast, with Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge a short steam from the harbor. The fishery made famous by the tuna fleet here draws anglers from around the world, while striped bass and bluefish work bait along the rocky Cape Ann shoreline all summer.

See live conditions & Bite Score for Gloucester

Best time to fish

June–October (giant bluefin peak August–October)

Where fish hold

Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge for tuna and groundfish; rocky Cape Ann shorelines, river mouths, and boulder fields for striped bass

What you can catch in Gloucester

Tactics & tides

Bluefin boats anchor and chunk with live mackerel or herring over the banks, or troll spreader bars along the edges. Light-tackle guides cast and drift live bait to stripers along the rocks.

Tide matters less on the offshore banks; inshore bass fishing peaks on moving water around dawn and dusk.

Baitful scores all of this for you. It reads the live tide stage, barometric pressure trend, solunar feeding windows, wind and storm-aware weather at Gloucester and turns them into a 0 to 100 Bite Score with a 72-hour best-window view.

Fishing in Gloucester: FAQ

What fish can you catch in Gloucester?

Popular targets in Gloucester include Bluefin Tuna, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Pollack, and 1 more. The mix shifts with the season and conditions.

When is the best time to fish in Gloucester?

The prime season is June–October (giant bluefin peak August–October). Day to day, the bite is usually best on moving water around dawn and dusk. Tide matters less on the offshore banks; inshore bass fishing peaks on moving water around dawn and dusk.

Where should you fish in Gloucester?

Focus on Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge for tuna and groundfish; rocky Cape Ann shorelines, river mouths, and boulder fields for striped bass. Bluefin boats anchor and chunk with live mackerel or herring over the banks, or troll spreader bars along the edges. Light-tackle guides cast and drift live bait to stripers along the rocks.

How do I know if it's a good day to fish in Gloucester?

Open Gloucester, Massachusetts in Baitful to see the live Bite Score, tides, solunar windows, and storm-aware weather, all scored for the day and the next 72 hours.

Fish Gloucester with a local captain

Browse charters & guides operating in Gloucester — trips, target species, and direct contact with no middleman fees.

Gloucestercharters & guides →

More US Northeast fishing

Plan your trip to Gloucester

Free live conditions, Bite Score, and what to fish for.

Open Gloucester in Baitful →