What You'll Find in Back Cove

Back Cove is a shallow, tidal estuary in Portland that holds striped bass, flounder, and seasonal mackerel. The cove sits between the Back Bay neighborhood and the Eastern Promenade, enclosed by a breakwater that creates a distinct fishery from the open Atlantic. Water depth ranges from 6 to 20 feet depending on tide, and the bottom is mostly mud and sand with patches of eelgrass—habitat that attracts feeding fish on the incoming tide.

The cove is accessible by boat only, and most anglers launch from nearby ramps or fish from kayaks. Because it's tidal and relatively sheltered, conditions here are often fishable when offshore waters are rough. The trade-off is that Back Cove is heavily used for recreation—swimming, paddling, and mooring—so timing and location matter.

Key Takeaways

  • Back Cove holds striped bass year-round, with the strongest bite from May through October when water temperatures rise above 50 degrees.
  • Flounder move into the cove in summer and stay through fall, feeding on the mud bottom in 10 to 15 feet of water.
  • Tidal flow is the main driver of fishing success—fish feed most actively during the first two hours of the incoming tide and the last hour before slack water.
  • Launch from Spring Point Marina, East End Boat Launch, or fish from a kayak; check local regulations for seasonal restrictions and mooring field boundaries.
  • The cove is shallow and crowded, so early morning or late afternoon fishing avoids the heaviest recreational traffic.

Seasons and What Bites When

Striped bass are present in Back Cove from April through November, with peak activity from June through September. Water temperature is the limiting factor—stripers become sluggish below 50 degrees and move to deeper water or leave the cove entirely in winter. Spring (April and May) sees smaller fish and occasional larger stripers moving through on their way to spawning grounds upriver. Fall (September and October) brings a second strong bite as fish feed heavily before migration.

Flounder (summer flounder or fluke) arrive in June when water temperatures reach the mid-50s and stay through October. They're most abundant in July and August. Mackerel show up in May and June, usually in the deeper channels near the breakwater. Bluefish are occasional visitors in summer but not reliable in Back Cove itself.

Winter fishing is slow. Water temperatures drop below 45 degrees by December, and most stripers leave. A few resident fish stay, but they're deep and inactive. Spring and fall are the most consistent seasons for both numbers and size.

Tides, Depth, and Where Fish Hold

Back Cove is entirely tidal, with a range of roughly 9 to 10 feet between low and high water. This matters because it changes where fish are and how accessible they are. At low tide, much of the cove becomes very shallow (2 to 4 feet), and fish concentrate in the deeper channels. At high tide, water spreads across the flats, and stripers and flounder disperse to feed.

The most productive fishing window is the first two hours of the incoming tide, when water is rising and fish move from the channels onto the flats to feed. The last hour before slack high water is also good. Outgoing tide is slower—fish are less aggressive and harder to locate. Slack water (the period between tides) is typically the slowest fishing of the day.

Target structure: the deeper channels that run through the middle of the cove, the edges of the eelgrass beds, and the area near the breakwater where current is strongest. Flounder hold on the mud bottom in 10 to 15 feet of water. Stripers hunt along drop-offs and current breaks.

How to Access Back Cove

Spring Point Marina (Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland) offers boat launch service and is the most reliable public access. They charge a launch fee and have parking. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability, especially in shoulder seasons.

East End Boat Launch (Portland waterfront) is a free public ramp, though parking is limited and the lot fills quickly on weekends. It's a steep ramp and can be difficult at low tide. Check tide tables before launching—you may need to wait for water to rise.

Kayak fishing is popular in Back Cove because the water is calm and the distance from shore is short. You can launch from the Eastern Promenade or from small beaches along the cove's edge. Kayaks give you access to shallow water and tight spots that larger boats can't reach, but stay aware of mooring fields and swimming areas.

Regulations and Seasonal Closures

Maine's saltwater fishing regulations apply in Back Cove. Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit of one fish per person (as of the most recent regulation year, though this can change). Flounder (summer flounder) have a 19-inch minimum and a daily limit of four fish. Mackerel have no size limit and a daily limit of 10 fish.

Check the Maine Department of Marine Resources website before you fish—regulations change annually, and there are sometimes seasonal closures on specific species or areas. Back Cove itself has no special closures, but the mooring field is off-limits to fishing, and you must stay clear of swimming areas during daylight hours in summer.

A Maine saltwater fishing license is not required for residents fishing from shore or from a boat you own, but it is required if you're fishing from a charter or party boat. Non-residents should check current requirements.

Tackle and Techniques

For striped bass, use live bait (mackerel, herring, or mullet) or soft plastics (4 to 6 inch shads in natural colors). Cast near structure and along current breaks. Jigging with bucktail jigs (1/2 to 1 ounce) is effective in deeper channels. Fish the incoming tide and work the edges of eelgrass beds.

For flounder, use live or fresh-dead baitfish (squid, mackerel, or herring) on a simple two-hook rig. Drop to the bottom and work slowly, lifting and dropping to trigger strikes. Flounder are not aggressive—they hit soft and you need to set the hook firmly. Soft plastics (3 to 4 inch shads) also work if you keep them near bottom.

Mackerel will hit small metal jigs, spoons, or small shads. They're fast and aggressive, so work quickly and cover water. Early morning and late afternoon are best for all species—the water is calmer and fish are more active.

What Makes Back Cove Different

Back Cove is not a destination fishery—it's a local spot that works well when you're already in Portland or when offshore conditions are poor. The fish are smaller on average than what you'd find in open water, and the cove can be crowded. But it's reliable, accessible, and fishable in conditions that would shut down other spots.

The main advantage is consistency. Tides are predictable, water is calm, and you know what to expect. The main disadvantage is that you're sharing the water with swimmers, paddlers, and recreational boaters, especially in summer. Fish early or late, respect the mooring field, and you'll have a solid day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish Back Cove?

Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (4 p.m. to sunset) are best. Water is calmer, fish are more active, and you'll avoid the heaviest recreational traffic. Tide matters more than time of day—fish the incoming tide whenever it falls, even if it's midday.

Can I fish from shore around Back Cove?

Shore access is limited. The Eastern Promenade has a walking path but no formal fishing access. You can fish from the East End Boat Launch area at low tide, but most productive fishing requires a boat or kayak to reach deeper water and structure.

Do I need a boat to fish Back Cove?

No. A kayak works well and gives you access to shallow water. You can also fish from the East End Boat Launch at high tide. A small motorboat or skiff is ideal but not required.

What's the water temperature in Back Cove by month?

Water is coldest (35 to 40 degrees) in January and February. It warms to 50 degrees by late April, reaches 65 to 70 degrees by July and August, and cools back to 50 degrees by November. Stripers and flounder are most active between 55 and 75 degrees.

Is Back Cove safe for beginners?

Yes, if you respect the tides and weather. Water is shallow and calm, and you're never far from shore. Wear a life jacket, check the tide table before you launch, and avoid the mooring field. Conditions can change quickly in any saltwater environment, so stay alert.