Casco Bay Fishing Spot

• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/11/09 11:24 AM
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Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth. The city of Portland sits along its southern edge. Portland has a substantial fleet of deep-sea fishing vessels, which offload their catch primarily at the Portland Fish Exchange. Numerous towns and islands serve as ports for lobster boats. Recreational fishing boats can also be chartered. Marinas include: Chebeague Island Boat Yard on Great Chebeague Island Diamond Marine Service Inc. on Great Diamond Island Dolphin Marina in Harpswell Handy Boat Service Inc. in Falmouth DiMillo's Old Port Marina, Maine Yacht Center and Portland Yacht Services in Portland Peaks Island Marina on Peaks Island Port Harbor Marina, South Port Marine, Spring Point Marina and Sunset Marina in South Portland Brewer's and Strouts Point Wharf Co. in South Freeport Royal River Boat Yard, Yankee Marina and Boatyard and Yarmouth Boat Yard in Yarmouth. Predominant fish in the bay include mackerel, striped bass, and bluefish. Shellfish include lobsters, crabs, mussels, clams and snails. Harbor seals congregate on certain exposed ledges, and whales on occasion swim into the bay, and in a few instances into Portland Harbor. Seagulls, cormorants and varying species of ducks are the most common birds; more rarely osprey, eagles and herons have been sighted. Casco Bay contains bay mud bottoms and banks in some locations, which provide important substrates for biota. The major islands in the bay are served by the Casco Bay Lines ferry service at the Maine State Pier in Portland. Peaks Island is served by a car ferry and, during the summer, sees 16 ferries a day. The other islands see fewer ferries and no car transport. Great and Little Diamond islands and Long Island are served primarily by the Diamond Pass run, which is popular with tourists in the summer months. Other services offered by Casco Bay Lines include a daily mailboat run, cruise to Bailey Island, and a sunset run. Other services such as water taxis are also popular alternatives to the ferry but are limited to six passengers per boat. Greater Portland, a four-season destination in southern Maine, offers scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and a wealth of historic and cultural attractions. Maine’s metropolitan area sits right on lovely Casco Bay, a gateway to historic forts and lighthouses. Day and night, Portland’s bustling waterfront is alive with activity and people: fisherman and ferries; sightseeing cruises and pleasure boats; restaurants and shops. A four-season recreational wonderland, Portland is surrounded by classic New England villages, wide sandy beaches and Freeport, home of renowned L.L. Bean.

Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England, United States. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth. The city of Portland sits along its southern edge.