Cape Cod Bay fishing forecast
Cape Cod Bay is a saltwater fishing spot in NW Atlantic, United States. Anglers here target Striped Bass, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Atlantic Cod. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #272 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending down — 5 points below this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 14.0 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 52 km/h from N, gusting 72 km/h |
| Wave height | 1.7 m at 7 s |
| Current | 0.04 m/s toward NNW |
| Pressure | 1017 hPa |
| Depth | 13 m |
| Cloud cover | 0% |
| Chlorophyll | 4.29 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 31.7 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 7 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 1.9 m at 5 s |
| Ground swell | 0.4 m at 7 s from ENE |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.04 → 0.00 m/s |
Nearest buoy: Cape Cod Bay, MA (221) (12 km): water 14.0 °C, waves 1.7 m
The water here is 4.5 °C cooler than the October average of 18.5 °C. Cooler-than-normal water slows the bite for warm-water species and holds cool-water species shallower for longer. The water is mixed to about 45.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Cape Cod Bay
Cape Cod Bay currently scores 68 out of 100 (Fair). Water temperature is 14.0 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +12.6
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Waves +5.8
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Current +3.8
- moving water concentrates bait
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
- Chlorophyll front +2.5
- a plankton edge — classic feeding line
What’s biting now
The model expects today: atlantic-bonito, bluefish, striped-bass, bluefin-tuna, atlantic-cod, chub-mackerel, tautog, scup
[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately
Bite windows
Best months for Cape Cod Bay:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-29, 80/100
23 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
6 points below the same day last week
About this spot
Bays are sheltered and usually calmer than open water, offering protected fishing and holding structure for inshore species.
Approximate bottom depth: 13 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · beach
On-site: parking · restrooms
What you can catch
-
Morone saxatilis
-
Thunnus thynnus
-
Gadus morhua
Best months by species at Cape Cod Bay
| Striped BassMorone saxatilis | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Bluefin TunaThunnus thynnus | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic CodGadus morhua |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | 1/day | 71.1–78.7 cm slot | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Federal Atlantic EEZ: 1 fish, 28–31" slot limit. State waters have separate rules. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.
Some rules may have changed since our last verification — always confirm with the authority before you fish.
FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.
Check Cape Cod Bay before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 219 km of Cape Cod Bay.
-
Provincetown Cape Cod
Buzzards Bay Massachusetts
Marthas Vineyard
Nantucket Shoals
Gloucester Stellwagen
Cape Ann Massachusetts
Block Island Sound
Montauk Point
Eastern Long Island Sound
Lake Winnipesaukee NH
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Cape Cod Bay?
Anglers at Cape Cod Bay target Striped Bass, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and Atlantic Cod.
When is the best time to fish Cape Cod Bay?
The most productive months at Cape Cod Bay are typically May, June, July, August, September, October.
What is the fishing forecast for Cape Cod Bay right now?
Cape Cod Bay currently scores 68 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Cape Cod Bay from shore?
Yes — Cape Cod Bay is fishable from shore (beach).
Is the thermocline set up at Cape Cod Bay right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Cape Cod Bay?
The scored point sits over roughly 13 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Striped BassHow to Read Tides for FishingHow to Read a Fishing Forecast
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.