Marblehead MA Fishing: Historic Coastal Town with a Deep Fishing Legacy

Marblehead is a quintessential New England town with a rich history. Just taking a walk around this coastal area, you will be able to see and feel its strong roots in fishing and yachting. This proud town claims to be the birthplace of the American Navy, as does the nearby town of Beverly. But while this title may be disputed, one thing’s for sure: Marblehead is undeniably a place worth visiting and exploring. 

Once called Massebequash after the river that separated the town from nearby Salem, Marblehead was inhabited by the Naumkeag tribe before a widespread epidemic wiped out their population. European settlers came in the 1600s, giving the town its current name after mistaking the area’s granite ledges for marble. 

The town of Marblehead is famous for its strong involvement in the Revolutionary War, particularly for its sailors who have been recognized as fathers of the US Navy. It was also heavily involved in the American Civil War. The town has gone through several economic booms as well. Well into the middle of the 19th century, it experienced a golden age in its commercial fishing industry. Afterward, it became known for its shoe factories and attracted a lot of wealthy yacht owners. Subsequently, this led the town to be the home to many established yacht clubs and affluent summer homes right on Marblehead Neck. 

These days, Marblehead is a little more on the quaint side, but you can still bask in its glorious history by taking a walk around town and seeing all the colonial-era structures that continue to stand today. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to bring your fishing gear. This peninsula on the Massachusetts Bay, after all, is still one of the best fishing destinations in the state. 

Marblehead Fishing

Like many North Shore fishing destinations, Marblehead is a great place for anglers who want to try to dip their toes in both inshore and offshore fishing. Right off the bat, the great historic Marblehead Harbor should be your first choice. It’s at the center of the town action, after all, and you don’t even need to go far to enjoy productive fishing. Just 15 or 20 minutes away from the harbor, there are plenty of submerged rocks and ledges that attract schools of striped bass and bluefish. Fly fishing is the name of the game here, though you can still catch plenty with your light spinning gear. If you want a little more excitement, you can head over to the shallow grass flats and do some sight casting. Night fishing around the harbor can be great fun too, as there are plenty of lighted docks and piers in the area. In the muddier parts, with water 15 to 25 feet in depth, you can use your spinning tackle to target winter flounder while drifting and keeping your baits on the bottom. Do note that in Massachusetts, the current regulations only allow anglers to keep a maximum of two winter flounder that measure at least 12 inches. 

At the mouth of the Marblehead Harbor, inching quite close to Salem is Marblehead Neck. Here you will find a rocky shoreline that holds plenty of striped bass, tautog, and black seabass, as well as bluefish. Access this shoreline via Desmouline Lane which runs from Ocean Avenue.

If you want to be a little more adventurous, head offshore at least 30 to 50 minutes from the harbor and drift over offshore banks. This area yields a healthy number of haddock and pollock, as well as some cod which you can catch via bottom fishing. You can also challenge yourself with bluefin tuna and several shark species such as blue, mako, porbeagle, and thresher, which are best caught with a chum line consisting of ground herring. Do note, though, that shark-fishing here is on a strict catch-and-release basis.

Surfcasting is another great fishing technique to try in Marblehead, with many areas offering not just plenty of catches but also picturesque sights to enjoy. Castle Rock Park is one such area. The park is pretty easy to spot; just look for the Carcassone mansion, a private estate that looks more like a castle than a mansion, then walk down the lane that will take you to the park itself. It is primarily known for its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, but its small beach is a great surfcasting spot as well. 

Deveraux Beach, particularly the opposite rims of the beach that have rock formations, is well worth checking out if you’re still keen to surfcast. These rocky formations from nearby Ram Island and Sammy Rock attract a lot of schoolies, particularly stripers and bluefish. If you’re arriving late in the season, here’s the one place you run to as it is known among locals as a good late producer, yielding catch as late as October.
 

Top 10 Fish Species in Marblehead, MA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Marblehead, MA are striped bass, bluefish, winter flounder, haddock, pollock, black seabass, bluefin tuna, blue shark, mako shark, and cod.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing on the North Shore can be great all year round, depending on your target species, of course. This is especially true in Marblehead. No wonder it was once considered one of the best fishing destinations in the state. However, if you want a guaranteed catch, come here during the spring and summer seasons when the waters are warmer and the fish are eager to feed. While there are species such as striped bass, bluefish, cod, and pollock that are open for catching all year round, it’s important to take note of the open fishing seasons for certain species. For example, black seabass can only be caught from May 18 to September 8, while fishing for winter flounder is closed during the spawning season and is open from March 1 to December 31. Tautog is yet another species that can only be caught during certain pockets of the month, so be sure to check with your guide or local authorities if you’re specifically targeting this species.
 

Immerse in the Marvelous Offerings of Marblehead

Marblehead wears its history on its sleeves, so it’s a great place to immerse in New England history while enjoying everything else that the town is known for.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Get yourself a passionate and knowledgeable local guide who can take you both inshore and offshore and give you pointers not just on sweet fishing holes but also the best way to catch your target fish.

2. Go on Themed Tours

Marblehead was once a summer vacation destination and a bedroom community for nearby booming towns, and it has largely preserved many of the houses and structures that were built during those eras. You can walk around and just enjoy the atmosphere, but if you want your exercise with a side of a history lesson, get a map of the historic district and go on a self-guided walking tour. Make sure to read the historic plaques on the houses to enrich your experience.

If you want something a little closer to nature, head on over to Gerry Island where you can marvel at the coastline of the town. View it from afar, or join a tour by watercraft where you can get up close and personal with the coves on both sides of the island and see the shoreline of the town from a different vantage point.

3. Paddleboard and Kayak on Little Harbor

Have a peaceful time kayaking on Little Harbor. Little Harbor Boathouse is an idyllic spot where you launch your kayaks and paddleboards. You can either rent from them or bring your own. If you find yourself wanting to include Marblehead in your seasonal kayak trips, you can even store your gear in there for a fee. It even has a program called Paddle & Picnic, which is a two-hour kayak trip with a side stop at an island where you can enjoy some homegrown lobster roll.