How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Portsmouth, United States ? Today is a excellent day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide chart, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide chart.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire offers some of the most diverse inshore and nearshore fishing in New England, with the Piscataqua River, Great Bay, and open Atlantic coastline all within minutes of each other. Anglers target striped bass, bluefish, winter flounder, cod, haddock, and an impressive variety of groundfish and panfish from shore, boat, and kayak. From spring striper runs to winter bottom fishing, Portsmouth delivers year-round opportunities for both visiting and local anglers. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:7%
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Waxing Crescent
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Distance to earth:391,450 kmProximity:33.4 %
Moon Phases for Portsmouth
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excellent Day
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major Time:01:19 am - 03:19 am
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minor Time:08:22 am - 10:22 am
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major Time:01:51 pm - 03:51 pm
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minor Time:07:20 pm - 09:20 pm
Tides Times for Fishing: Sun, 13 Sep
Tide Clock
Tide Graph
Times
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| low | 05:14 am | 0.07 ft |
| high | 11:30 am | 3.71 ft |
| low | 05:53 pm | 0.23 ft |
| high | 11:47 pm | 3.18 ft |
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase | Tide Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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R: S: |
R: S: |
New Moon |
low:
, -0 ft
high:
, 3.74 ft
, Coeff: 157
low:
, 0.1 ft
high:
, 3.35 ft
, Coeff: 133
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, 0.07 ft
high:
, 3.71 ft
, Coeff: 155
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 3.18 ft
, Coeff: 122
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, 0.2 ft
high:
, 3.64 ft
, Coeff: 151
low:
, 0.39 ft
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
high:
, 3.02 ft
, Coeff: 112
low:
, 0.36 ft
high:
, 3.48 ft
, Coeff: 141
low:
, 0.62 ft
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
high:
, 2.85 ft
, Coeff: 101
low:
, 0.56 ft
high:
, 3.35 ft
, Coeff: 133
low:
, 0.82 ft
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
high:
, 2.69 ft
, Coeff: 91
low:
, 0.72 ft
high:
, 3.18 ft
, Coeff: 122
low:
, 1.02 ft
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
high:
, 2.56 ft
, Coeff: 83
low:
, 0.89 ft
high:
, 3.05 ft
, Coeff: 114
low:
, 1.12 ft
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
high:
, 2.49 ft
, Coeff: 78
low:
, 1.02 ft
high:
, 3.02 ft
, Coeff: 112
low:
, 1.15 ft
|
Fishing Overview Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire fishing revolves around a powerful tidal system, rugged rocky structure, and easy access to both estuary and Gulf of Maine waters. The Piscataqua River is one of the fastest-flowing navigable rivers in the U.S., and its rips, ledges, and channels concentrate bait and gamefish in predictable patterns. Add the broad nursery waters of Great Bay and quick runs to offshore humps, and Portsmouth becomes a high-percentage destination for anglers targeting a wide range of species.
Seasonal patterns drive most fishing decisions around Portsmouth. In April and May, winter flounder begin biting over soft mud and sand bottom in the back channels and coves, while early striped bass show with the first waves of herring and mackerel. Peak striper action typically runs from late May through September, with schoolies flooding the river and larger fish setting up on structure, current seams, and nighttime flats. Summer brings consistent action with mackerel, pollock, and mixed groundfish, while fall sees aggressive stripers and bluefish feeding heavily on river-mouth bait schools. Through late fall and winter, the focus shifts to bottom species, with cod, haddock, and other groundfish targeted on offshore ledges when conditions allow.
Key habitats around Portsmouth include the main Piscataqua River channel, rocky points and jetties, bridge abutments, and the maze of back channels feeding Great Bay. Fast current is the defining feature: eddies, seam lines, and slack-water pockets behind structure are prime ambush spots for striped bass. Mud and sand flats with slight depth changes hold winter flounder and baitfish, while deeper offshore humps, wrecks, and rock piles provide year-round structure for cod, haddock, pollock, and cusk.
Common techniques are dictated by both current speed and target species. For striped bass, boat anglers do well drifting live mackerel or eels along rip lines and channel edges, or casting soft plastics, bucktail jigs, and topwater plugs tight to structure during tide changes. Shore and jetty anglers score by fan-casting jig-and-plastic combos or swimming plugs at first and last light, timing their sessions around moving water. Flounder specialists use light spinning tackle, small sinkers, and short leaders with size 6–8 hooks tipped with clam, worm, or small pieces of shrimp, slowly dragging baits across soft bottom.
For groundfish, most anglers run out of Portsmouth Harbor to nearshore and midrange ledges. Simple high-low rigs with 8–16 oz of lead, baited with clams, squid, or cut bait, are standard, while diamond jigs and Norwegian-style metals produce when fish are suspended or actively feeding. Braided mainline with a mono or fluorocarbon leader helps detect subtle bites in deep water and heavy current. When mackerel are in thick, sabiki rigs tipped with small bits of bait and worked vertically around bait marks are extremely effective.
Tactical tips for Portsmouth start with reading the tide. The Piscataqua fishes best around the slower parts of the cycle—two hours around high or low—when baits can actually reach bottom and lures can be presented naturally. In heavy flow, use heavier jigs and sinkers and cast up-current, allowing the offering to sweep through the strike zone. Night fishing is a major edge for larger stripers; focus on bridge shadows, lighted docks, and quiet shoreline stretches with subtle current. In the estuary, downsizing tackle and using natural-colored baits often outfishes larger, flashy presentations in clear water.
Portsmouth’s blend of estuary, river, and Gulf of Maine structure rewards anglers who pay attention to tide, current breaks, and bottom composition. By matching techniques to season and habitat—flounder on mud in spring, stripers on rips in summer, and groundfish on offshore rock when weather allows—you can stay on consistent action throughout the year in this classic New England fishing port.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Portsmouth area
Wharf's or Jetties are good places to wet a line and meet other fishermen. They often produce a fresh feed of fish and are also great to catch bait fish. As they are often well lit, they also provide a good opportunity for night fishing. There are 2 wharf(s) in this area.
Naval Hospital Wharf (historical) - 1.39361382972km , Chemphalt Wharf - 2.50453080719km
Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 7 main harbours in this area.
Gosport Creek - 0.49100774643km, Tidewater Marina - 0.58689033165km, Holiday Harbor - 0.75018725155km, Waterside Marina - 1.05028790761km, Freemason Harbor - 1.64268670248km, Scott's Creek Marina - 2.15615659234km, East Haven - 5.74249489012km
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Portsmouth. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Gosport Creek - 0.49100774643km , Tidewater Marina - 0.58689033165km , Holiday Harbor - 0.75018725155km , Eastern Branch Elizabeth River - 0.86820983863km , Southern Branch Elizabeth River - 0.86820983863km , Waterside Marina - 1.05028790761km , Spotico Creek - 1.33445977744km , Naval Hospital Wharf (historical) - 1.39361382972km , Freemason Harbor - 1.64268670248km , Newtons Creek (historical) - 1.67377365526km , Pescara Creek - 1.93432379048km , Scott Creek - 1.95940678313km , Scott's Creek Marina - 2.15615659234km , Chemphalt Wharf - 2.50453080719km , Tarrant Creek (historical) - 3.14291280907km , Scuffeltown Creek - 3.21615229576km , Ohio Creek - 3.21830885565km , Steamboat Creek - 3.94110759503km , Gilligan Creek - 3.98586615221km , Paradise Creek - 4.0802567228km , Lambert Creek (historical) - 4.27788184772km , Western Branch Elizabeth River - 4.36690859305km , Blows Creek - 5.01218074597km , Indian River - 5.05770122458km , Moseley Creek - 5.45434730871km , East Haven - 5.74249489012km , Lilly Creek - 5.80585630856km , Baines Creek - 5.99845837008km , Lake Kingman - 6.01210915486km , Knitting Mill Creek - 6.10658959594km , Wayne Creek - 6.21045851017km , Saint Julian Creek - 6.28787274066km , Milldam Creek - 6.38792173562km , Craney Island Creek - 6.5409886595km , Lafayette River - 7.01415174692km , Charters Island - 7.20365347409km , Newton Creek - 7.31256540291km , Edgewater Haven - 7.39674374374km , Sterns Creek - 7.62011813068km , Mill Dam Creek - 8.204294682km
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