What Five Islands Park Offers

Five Islands Park is a small saltwater access point in Georgetown, Maine, roughly 30 miles northeast of Portland. It sits on the New Meadows River estuary where the river meets Casco Bay, giving you both protected tidal flats and open-water fishing depending on where you position yourself. The park itself is modest — a boat launch, parking, and a short pier — but the surrounding waters hold striped bass, flounder, and seasonal mackerel, with good opportunity for smaller species like cunner and pollock year-round.

The main draw here is tidal access. The New Meadows River runs through a system of salt marshes and shallow channels that concentrate fish during specific tide windows. Anglers fishing from the pier or launching small boats can work the flats at mid-tide and the deeper channels at high water. The park's proximity to open Casco Bay also means you can reach deeper offshore structure if you have a boat capable of handling it, though most visiting anglers stay within the estuary itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Five Islands Park has a public boat launch and pier access on the New Meadows River estuary, suitable for small boats and kayaks as well as shore fishing.
  • Striped bass and flounder are the primary targets in spring and summer, with mackerel arriving in late summer and fall.
  • Tidal timing is critical — the shallow flats fish best at mid-tide, while deeper channels hold fish at high water.
  • Parking is limited and the facility closes at dusk, so plan your tide window to match daylight hours.
  • Maine saltwater fishing requires a license for anyone 16 and older; non-resident licenses are available for short-term visits.

Seasons and Target Species

Striped bass move into the New Meadows estuary in May and remain through October, with peak activity in June and September. They feed on sand eels and small baitfish in the channels and around the pier pilings. Early morning and late afternoon are most productive, and live bait or soft plastics in the 3- to 5-inch range work consistently.

Flounder (summer flounder or fluke) arrive in June and stay through September, settling on the sandy bottom of the deeper channels. They respond well to live minnows drifted along the bottom or jigged vertically. Atlantic mackerel show up in August and September, particularly on the bay side of the park, and will take small metal jigs or live baitfish.

Fall fishing (October through November) can be excellent for striped bass as they feed heavily before moving offshore for winter. Water temperatures drop, but the fish are aggressive. Winter fishing is possible but limited by weather and ice; most anglers focus on the spring and fall runs.

Tidal Patterns and Timing

The New Meadows River is a tidal estuary with a range of roughly 9 to 10 feet between low and high water. The shallow flats around the park are fishable only at mid-tide and higher; at low tide, much of the area becomes mud and exposed grass. Plan your visit to arrive 1 to 2 hours before high tide if you want to fish the flats, or fish the deeper channels at any tide stage.

The pier at Five Islands Park is accessible at all tide stages, but fish concentrate in the channels during the tide change — the first hour of incoming tide and the last hour of outgoing tide are typically most productive. Check tide tables for Georgetown or nearby Bath before you go; the timing shifts by roughly 50 minutes each day.

Current speed increases during the tide change, which can make drifting difficult but also concentrates baitfish and triggers feeding. If you are launching a boat, plan to motor into position before the current peaks, then drift or anchor as conditions allow.

Access, Parking, and Facilities

Five Islands Park has a single-lane concrete boat launch suitable for small boats, kayaks, and canoes. The launch is free and maintained by the town of Georgetown. Parking is limited to roughly 15 to 20 spaces in a small gravel lot adjacent to the launch; on weekends during summer, the lot fills by mid-morning. There is no reservation system, so arrive early if you plan to launch a boat.

The park has a short wooden pier extending into the river, open to public fishing. There are no restrooms, no water, and no shade structures. The park closes at dusk, and the gate is locked after hours. Overnight parking is not permitted.

If the lot is full, nearby alternatives include Robinhood Cove (also in Georgetown, about 2 miles south) and the public access at Bath's waterfront, though both have their own parking constraints during peak season.

Regulations and Licensing

Maine requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 years old and older. Non-resident licenses are available for 7 days, 3 days, or a full year; the 7-day license is the most common choice for visiting anglers. You can purchase licenses online through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website or at most tackle shops in the area.

Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily bag limit of one fish per angler in Maine. Flounder (summer flounder) have a 19-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit. Mackerel have no size restriction and a 25-fish daily limit. These regulations can change, so check the current rules before you fish.

The park itself has no special restrictions beyond the general rule that motors must be off within 200 feet of the shore in certain areas — check with the town office or the launch attendant if one is present.

Tackle and Bait Recommendations

For striped bass, bring a 7- to 8-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15- to 20-pound braided line. Soft plastics (4 to 6 inches) in pearl, chartreuse, or natural colors work well, as do small topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. Live sand eels or mackerel strips are effective if you can source them locally.

Flounder fishing calls for a slightly heavier setup — 20-pound line and a 1- to 2-ounce jig head with a live minnow or squid strip. Work the bottom slowly in the deeper channels, and be patient; flounder often mouth the bait before committing.

For mackerel, light spinning tackle and small metal jigs (1/2 to 1 ounce) in silver or chrome are standard. They are aggressive feeders and will strike quickly, so you can cover water fast.

Live bait (sand eels, silversides, or mackerel) is available at local tackle shops in Georgetown and Bath. If you plan to fish early morning, buy bait the day before.

Getting There and Nearby Resources

Five Islands Park is located at the end of Five Islands Road in Georgetown, Maine. From Portland, take I-295 north to Route 1, then follow Route 127 south toward Georgetown. Five Islands Road branches off Route 127 near the town center; follow it to the end. The drive from Portland is roughly 45 minutes.

The nearest tackle shop is Fisherman's Net in Bath, about 10 minutes south of the park. They stock live bait, tackle, and current information about what is biting. The town of Georgetown has a small general store and a few restaurants, but no lodging directly in the village. Nearby Bath and Brunswick offer hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts if you plan to stay overnight.

Cell service is reliable in the area, so you can check tide tables and weather on your phone. The park has no Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish from shore without a boat?

Yes. The pier at Five Islands Park is open to public fishing, and you can catch striped bass, flounder, and mackerel from it without launching a boat. The pier is most productive during tide changes, and you will need a saltwater license.

What is the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning (one hour before sunrise to two hours after) and late afternoon (two hours before sunset to dusk) are most productive for striped bass. Flounder can be caught throughout the day if you are fishing the deeper channels at the right tide stage. Mackerel are less time-sensitive and will bite throughout daylight hours.

Do I need a boat to fish Five Islands Park?

No. Shore fishing from the pier is productive, especially for striped bass and mackerel. A small boat or kayak gives you access to more water and the shallow flats, but it is not required.

What should I do if the parking lot is full?

Arrive before 8 a.m. during summer weekends to secure a spot. If the lot is full, Robinhood Cove (2 miles south) and Bath's waterfront are nearby alternatives, though they also fill quickly. Weekday mornings are less crowded.

Is there a fee to launch a boat or fish at Five Islands Park?

No. The boat launch and pier are free. You will need a Maine saltwater fishing license, which costs between $10 and $35 depending on the license type and duration.