Eastham, MA Fishing: Fishing at the Gateway to Cape Cod

Extending across the northern arm of Cape Cod, one can find the town of Eastham that is located in Barnstable County in the northeast of Massachusetts. On its western and eastern sides, the town is bordered by Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. On its north and south sides, Eastham is bordered by the other towns of Wellfleet and Orleans. Around a third of the town is situated within the Cape Cod National Seashore. The town is also known as the place where the Pilgrims and Indians, specifically the local Nauset people, first encountered each other at First Encounter Beach.

Dubbed as ‘Cape Cod’s Little Secret’, the coastal resort community boasts bay and ocean beaches as well as several freshwater ponds whilst being able to offer a quieter and less crowded spot compared to other areas of the Cape. Aside from its natural offerings, Eastham shows off its rich history through numerous sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, museums, as well as early settlements that have been retained. Anglers will find Eastham a great and refreshing place to plan their next adventure because not only is it surrounded by different classes and types of water, several harbors are dotted throughout the town and fishing is one of the primary industries because shellfish are abundant there. With its diverse environment, from beaches to salt marshes to cranberry bogs, Eastham is a very picture perfect place, offering spectacular views to anyone who comes and visits.

Eastham Fishing

Eastham provides diverse fishing opportunities as it possesses freshwater spots like ponds as well as saltwater sites like beaches and bays, so whether an angler wants to fish from the shore or by boat, the town has it covered.

As it is the ‘Gateway to Cape Cod’, it’s only right to start fishing in Cape Cod Bay. Its crystal clear waters can offer a wide range of fishing conditions. True to its name, the bay possesses cod as well as a vast array of other species. The bay boasts fantastic striped bass and bluefin tuna fishing most of the year. More species that can be found in its waters include haddock, bluefish, summer flounder, scup, sharks (porbeagle, threshers, mako, and blue), black sea bass, tautog, pollock, Atlantic mackerel, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. Popular angling tactics include jigging up mackerel, even live-lining them when the water is deeper. Baitcasting from flats, jigging in deep drop-offs, or wading in estuaries are effective ways to hook striped bass. Way out in the water, trolling is a popular way to catch bluefin tuna. From the shore, anglers can surf cast and easily target cod and haddock as plenty of them gather near the coast. Targeting bluefish is best done in shallow waters of the bay’s flats. Cape Cod Bay is easily fished from the shore if one doesn’t want to use a boat or kayak, as the coast of Eastham is lined with tons of beaches.

Head to Cooks Brook Beach where it’s best to go during low tide and sunset and cast a line to hook bass and bluefish. Further down the coast, Campground Beach is a great place to find American eel, as a section of the species’ habitat is restored there. Ocean sunfish have been spotted at Cole Beach as its waters are warmer compared to what’s known to the bay. At the renowned and historic First Encounter Beach located in the town’s southwest, anglers can target stripers and bluefish for most of the year as there’s decent cover consisting of weed and mussel patches as well as gravel and rock beds off the shore that make it an ideal place for the fish. Along the beach’s south part and where the creek mouth is during high tide is the best place and time to go angling at First Encounter Beach. During low tide, anglers can still see good action from stripers where wading and fly fishing proves popular. Further out the beach’s waters, boaters can fish for tuna and cod.

Anglers who want to keep fishing for saltwater game can head to the opposite side of Cape Cod Bay and fish from the beaches and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Coast Guard Beach is another popular surf casting spot though heavy tackle fishing can be called for because the waves can get large at times. The beach also offers opportunities to catch bluefish, stripers, cod and tuna. If one heads to the outlet of Nauset Marsh to the south of the beach, they can find bass during any season. Swimmers, needlefish and poppers are commonly used there. Down the coast is Nauset Beach where similar species can be found in addition to weakfish and summer flounder. Just on the other side of the beach area, Nauset Bay is another great saltwater spot. Boaters traveling down can also fish from Nauset Harbor which is easier accessed from Eastham than the town of Orleans. 

Saltwater anglers should also look to fish in Salt Pond Bay and the adjacent Salt Pond. In those waters, species such as bass, bluefish, flounder, Atlantic mackerel, Spanish mackerel, marlin as well as brook and brown trout can be found. The bay and pond provide excellent paddling when it’s high tide in an interesting salt marsh ecosystem. As the pond is nearer the town, it can host a variety of freshwater species like trout. 

Eastham isn’t only a saltwater angler’s territory, tons of freshwater ponds located in the middle of the town extend opportunities for freshwater fishers as well. Off Wiley Park, the most popular of the ponds is Great Pond. Whether anglers are casting from the park or its beach’s shores or from a watercraft, they can hook game like smallmouth bass, white perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, and brook trout. To the south of it is Herring Pond which is a popular angling spot because it is stocked with trout and has a vast coverage that the fish like. That pond hosts fish such as brook, brown, tiger and rainbow trout. Warm water species like pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, largemouth bass, golden shiners, and banded killifish can also be found there.

Near the local public library, Depot Pond is another viable spot to target bass and pickerel. A boat launch area is located behind the library. A smaller pond to the south of Great Pond called Jemima Pond is another area to hook largemouth bass, pickerel, and yellow perch. There is a dirt parking area where anglers can launch their boats or canoes. Accessed through the State Highway, Minister Pond is another great freshwater site that hosts bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, chain pickerel, and grass pickerel.

Top 10 Fish Species in Eastham, MA

Top 10 fish species found in Eastham, Massachusetts are cod, striped bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and chain pickerel.

Seasonal Fishing

Cod and haddock that are abundantly found in Eastham salt waters can be caught all year round. Though if one wants to find the most of the fish offshore, target them during January and February. From May to October, anglers can easily hook striped bass, bluefish, flounder and scup. During the summer, bluefin tuna is a popular target. Those who want to hook sharks should also come to the town in the peak of summer. Freshwater species like trout can be fished for all throughout the year as local waters are stocked with them and plenty holdover the rest of the year. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and chain pickerel can also be caught all year because of the state of local waters. 

Encounter More Fun in Eastham

Eastham’s location and diverse environment make it an all-around destination for anyone looking for a unique and refreshing getaway.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

With Eastham riddled and surrounded by water, fishing opportunities are endless there. Book a fishing charter in Eastham to make the most of an angling trip. Boat rental services can also be easily acquired as most of the local water allows for boat anglers. Bait and tackle shops can be found near known fishing spots.

2. Discover History

With a rich history stemming from being the first place where the Pilgrims and Indians first encountered each other, a lot of places in Eastham are considered historic and some areas like in the National Park have even retained original natural landscapes. One of the most photographed landmarks in the town is the Nauset Beach Light, a restored lighthouse that was erected in the 1920s. People can learn more about the town’s history by visiting its museums like the Schoolhouse Museum and the Antique Tool Museum. 

3. Go Beach Bumming

Eastham is home to numerous beaches located on its east and west sides. All of them provide spectacular views and charming sunset experiences and one, the Coast Guard Beach, has been lauded many times as one of the best beaches in the world. Most beaches are family-friendly and some also allow pets. People can simply enjoy the rippling sands or even go swimming, biking, wildlife watching, bird watching, and more.