It’s a fishing day

Penobscot River (Bangor) fishing conditions · Maine

Tonight, 7 pm–8 pmStriped bass

The bite peaks at 69. Wind builds to 18 mph out of the north by today at 5:00 pm.

Log a trip here
Right now: 61 for striped bass, marginalTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Striped bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 614 pm
  2. 46
  3. 61
  4. 697 pm
  5. 59
  6. 59
  7. 5910 pm
  8. 59
  9. 52Sun
  10. 521 am
  11. 52
  12. 52
  13. 594 am
  14. 52
  15. 52
  16. 527 am
  17. 52
  18. 52
  19. 5210 am
  20. 52
  21. 59
  22. 591 pm
  23. 51
  24. 62
  25. 624 pm
  26. 62
  27. 62
  28. 627 pm
  29. 62
  30. 62
  31. 6210 pm
  32. 62
  33. 62Mon
  34. 621 am
  35. 54
  36. 54
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Striped bass range 50–72°

Wind
17 mph

From the northeast

Flow
2.15 ft gauge height

steady

Light
Twilight

Sunset 4:16 pm

Sky
Light Rain Likely

58% chance of rain

Air
46°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maine regulations for these waters.

Striped Bass

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis

69MarginalTonight, 7 pm–8 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Striped bass bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Striped bass prefers incoming tide. Holds 5–35 ft down.

Keep

28" minimum · 31" maximum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maine DMR 2026: 1 striped bass a day, 28–31" inclusive, open all year in coastal waters up to the head of tide (the Kennebec, Sheepscot, Androscoggin and Saco have special rules). Non-offset circle hooks required with bait; federal waters beyond 3 miles are closed.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maine

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on striped bass

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River2.15 ft gauge height · steady
  • Barometer29.75 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:16 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:22 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Major solunarTonight 9:30 pm–11:30 pm
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:30 am–6:30 am
  • Major solunarTomorrow 9:40 am–11:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: Maine Dept. of Marine Resources · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The tidal Penobscot at Bangor draws one of Maine’s best summer striped-bass runs as schools push upriver chasing baitfish. Shore and small-boat anglers work the waterfront and the mouth of the Kenduskeag; live USGS flow at Eddington tracks the river.

Maine DMR: 1 striped bass a day, 28–31" slot. Circle hooks required with bait. Atlantic salmon are federally endangered here — any caught must be released unharmed.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Moosehead Lake61 mi · MaineLandlocked salmon, best now until 8 pm
75Worth the trip
Sebago Lake110 mi · MaineBest now until 8 pm
79Worth the trip
North Hampton State Beach162 mi · New HampshireBest now until 7 pm
94Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Penobscot River (Bangor)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Penobscot River (Bangor) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Penobscot River (Bangor)?

Penobscot River (Bangor) is listed on this site for 1 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Penobscot River (Bangor)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Penobscot River (Bangor) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Penobscot River (Bangor) have?

Penobscot River (Bangor) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Maine DMR: 1 striped bass a day, 28–31" slot. Circle hooks required with bait. Atlantic salmon are federally endangered here — any caught must be released unharmed.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Penobscot River (Bangor)?

state agency regulations apply at Penobscot River (Bangor). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Penobscot River (Bangor) tidal water?

Yes. Penobscot River (Bangor) sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.