If you visit the Cape Cod Canal at any point during your vacation, you’ll undoubtedly see people fishing from the shore. This area has some of the best spots on the entire Cape to put a line in the water, and as a bonus, you don’t need to boat to catch something big.
Catching a few fish during your vacation gives you the freshest seafood possible to cook back at your vacation rental. It also gives you a great story to tell when you return home.
Much like anywhere else, catching some fish on the Cape requires some luck, but some local know-how can point you in the right direction. Here’s everything you need to know about fishing from the shoreline along the Cape Cod Canal.
The License You Need
Every angler over the age of 16 who is fishing in the Cape Cod Canal needs a Massachusetts saltwater fishing license. These permits cost $10 for residents and non-residents alike, although those 60 years of age and older can get a permit for free.
You can buy your fishing license online through the MassFishHunt portal and either print it at home or keep it on your mobile device. Buying your permit by mail or in person in New Bedford or Gloucester is also possible.
There are some exceptions to these fishing license requirements, starting with anglers under 16. These individuals don’t need a license at all, so they can go fishing in the Canal without worry.
Another exception is when you hire a charter boat to take you fishing. You can fish license-free on one of these vessels. From the Cape Cod Canal, you can check out Laura-Jay Sportfishing Charters and Captain Joe P Charters at the Sandwich Marina. These charters will take you into Cape Cod Bay for some deep-sea fishing, which is an entirely different experience than fishing from the shoreline.
In addition, Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. If you have a saltwater fishing license in one of those states, you can use it in Massachusetts.
Remember, if you plan to fish in a lake, pond, or river, you’ll need a freshwater permit, as well.
Where to Fish
The Cape Cod Canal is loaded with places to go fishing. You can stop pretty much anywhere on both sides of the Canal to put your line in the water, but some spots are a little more accessible than others.
Popular fishing locations on the Cape Cod side of the Canal include the Tidal Flats Recreation Area, the Bourne Recreation Area, the Midway Recreation Area, and the Sandcatcher Recreation Area. All of these spots have parking lots, making them easy to reach. You might also see people fishing near the Gallo Ice Arena and around the Sandwich Marina.
If you venture to the mainland side of the Canal, you’ll find additional places to fish. Popular spots include the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, Bourne Scenic Park, the Herring Run Recreation Area, the Sagamore Recreation Area, and Scusset Beach. There’s a fishing pier near Scusset Beach that provides a very comfortable place to catch some fish.
No matter where you fish on the Cape Cod Canal, you’ll have a relaxing time getting to know this beautiful part of the Cape.
What You Can Catch
Since the Cape Cod Canal connects two parts of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s an incredibly diverse waterway. You’ll find countless fish species running through the Canal, giving you all kinds of fishing opportunities.
One of the most abundant species in the area is the striped bass, which tends to hang out near the Canal’s bridges. You’ll also find cod, haddock, bluefish, and tuna, to name a few.
Before heading out, you’ll want to ensure you have the right lures. Three of the most successful lures, especially if you’re fishing for striped bass or bluefish, are the 9-inch topwater spook, the Magic Swimmer, and the sand eel.
You might also want to invest in some studded boots for climbing down the rocks and a fish gripper to assist you as you carry your fish back to the path. Both of these tools will make your life easier as you fish in the Canal.
Buying Bait and Tackle
If you book a vacation rental near the Cape Cod Canal, you can grab your lures at Canal Bait and Tackle in Sagamore. This shop has all the gear you’ll need to fish in the Canal, no matter the type of fish you want to catch. The staff are knowledgeable, too, so you can receive answers to your specific questions before heading out.
Another option is Red Top Sporting Goods on the mainland side of the Bourne Bridge in Buzzards Bay. This shop also specializes in fishing gear, so you’ll find everything you need to fish in this area and can gain some local knowledge in the process.
You don’t have to miss out on fishing the Cape Cod Canal if you don’t bring your gear with you because these shops have you covered.
A Top Fishing Spot
You can fish the bays, rivers, ponds, and coves all over Cape Cod, and it’s possible to book a fishing charter to take you into Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, or the Atlantic Ocean. But for ease of access, you can’t beat the Cape Cod Canal. After all, where else can you walk a few minutes from your vehicle and spend an entire day fishing from a bench on the shoreline while catching dozens of different species?
One thing for sure is that if you’re serious about fishing on your vacation, Cape Cod has just the spot for you.
