What Fort Foster offers anglers

Fort Foster is a 90-acre public park on Gerrish Island in Kittery that sits right where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic. The park includes a sandy beach, rocky shoreline, and deep-water access that holds striped bass, bluefish, and mackerel depending on the season. Unlike many coastal access points in southern Maine and New Hampshire, Fort Foster charges a day-use fee but gives you legitimate room to fish without crowds, plus parking, restrooms, and a maintained path system that keeps you from scrambling over private property to reach the water.

The park is owned by the town of Kittery and managed as a day-use facility. You can fish from the rocky points, the beach, and the pier area, though some sections are restricted during summer swimming season. The real advantage here is that you get legal, stable access to a tidal zone that produces fish year-round—something that matters when you're tired of fighting for elbow room at the public boat launches.

Key Takeaways

  • Fort Foster charges a day-use fee (typically $5 to $8 per vehicle, though rates vary by season) and is open year-round, with peak hours and restrictions during summer months.
  • The park's rocky shoreline and deep-water access hold striped bass in spring and fall, bluefish in summer, and mackerel throughout the warmer months.
  • Parking, restrooms, and maintained paths make this a practical choice for anglers who want to avoid trespassing or scrambling over private land to reach the water.
  • Tide and current matter here—the Piscataqua is a fast-moving tidal river, so fish feed most actively around slack water and the first two hours of incoming or outgoing tide.

When to fish Fort Foster

Spring (April through May) brings striped bass to the shallower edges as they move upriver to spawn. Early morning and late evening are most productive, and you'll want to be there around the tide change. The water is still cold, so focus on the deeper pockets near the pier and along the rocky points where baitfish concentrate.

Summer (June through August) shifts the action to bluefish and mackerel. The park is busiest during these months, and swimming areas are roped off, which actually concentrates fish in the open water beyond the beach. Early morning before swimmers arrive is your best bet. Water temperature climbs into the 60s and 70s, and fish feed more aggressively throughout the day.

Fall (September through October) brings another strong striped bass bite as fish move back downriver toward the ocean. This is often the most consistent season at Fort Foster—fewer swimmers, cooler water, and hungry fish preparing for winter. The same tide-change strategy that works in spring applies here.

Winter fishing is possible but limited by weather and park conditions. The Piscataqua can ice over in hard freezes, and day-use hours may be reduced. Call ahead to confirm the park is open before making the drive.

How to fish the rocky points and pier

The most productive water at Fort Foster is along the rocky shoreline on the eastern side of the park and around the old pier pilings. This is where the current funnels baitfish and where striped bass and bluefish hunt. You can fish from the rocks themselves—wear good boots with grip, as the rocks are slippery even when they look dry—or cast from the beach into the deeper channels.

Striped bass respond well to live mackerel or herring if you can catch them on-site, but most anglers use soft plastics (4- to 6-inch shads in white, chartreuse, or natural colors) or small metal jigs. Cast parallel to the rocks and work the lure through the current seams. Bluefish will hit the same presentations but often more aggressively—expect hard runs and sharp teeth, so use a short wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader.

The pier area is less crowded than the main beach and gives you a different angle on the water. Fish the pilings on both the incoming and outgoing tide, and pay attention to where the current breaks around the structure. This is where baitfish get trapped, and predators know it.

Parking, fees, and practical details

Fort Foster charges a day-use fee to park. The rate is typically $5 to $8 per vehicle, though it may be higher during peak summer season and lower in off-season months. The park accepts cash and card at the gatehouse. Parking fills up quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early if you're fishing during June through August.

The park is open year-round, but hours change seasonally. Summer hours are usually 10 a.m. to sunset, while off-season hours may open earlier (around 8 a.m.) and close earlier. There are restrooms near the parking area and a small concession stand during summer months. Dogs are allowed on-leash in certain areas, but check the posted rules when you arrive.

The park is located at 1435 Pocahontas Road in Kittery. From downtown Kittery, follow Route 103 east toward the coast, then follow signs for Gerrish Island. The drive is about 10 minutes from the center of town. Cell service can be spotty on the island, so plan your route before you leave.

What gear to bring

A medium-action spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with 10- to 15-pound braided line is ideal for the rocky terrain and strong current. Bring a small tackle box with soft plastics, metal jigs, and a few topwater lures for early morning and evening. A headlamp is essential if you're fishing at dawn, and polarized sunglasses help you spot fish in the shallows.

Wear sturdy, waterproof boots with good grip—the rocks are unforgiving, and a slip can cost you a rod or worse. Bring a small net if you plan to keep fish; the rocks make landing by hand difficult. A cooler with ice is useful if you're keeping striped bass or mackerel. The Piscataqua can be windy, so dress in layers and bring a rain jacket even if the forecast looks clear.

Tides and current at Fort Foster

The Piscataqua River is one of the fastest-moving tidal rivers on the East Coast. Slack water—the brief window when the current pauses between incoming and outgoing—is when fish feed most actively. Outside of slack water, the current is strong enough to make casting difficult and to sweep your lure away before it reaches the bottom.

Check a tide table for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is the closest reference point to Fort Foster. Plan to fish the hour before and the hour after slack water, or the first two hours of the incoming tide when baitfish are pushed toward the rocks. Avoid fishing during the peak of the outgoing tide unless you're specifically targeting fish that hunt in heavy current.

The tidal range here is about 8 to 9 feet, so the water level changes noticeably throughout the day. Low tide exposes more rocky structure and can concentrate fish in deeper pockets. High tide pushes fish into the shallows and over the rocks, which can be productive but also dangerous if you're not paying attention to the water level.

Regulations and what you can keep

Fort Foster is in Maine state waters, so you must follow Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regulations. Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit of one fish per person. Bluefish have no minimum size but a daily limit of 10 fish. Mackerel have no size or bag limit. A saltwater fishing license is not required in Maine, but check current regulations before you fish—rules change, and ignorance is not a defense.

The park itself has no additional restrictions on what you can keep, but some areas may be off-limits during certain times of year. Ask at the gatehouse if you're unsure about a specific section of the park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish at Fort Foster in winter?

Yes, but conditions are unpredictable. The park may close during ice storms or extreme cold, and day-use hours are reduced. Call Kittery Parks and Recreation ahead of time to confirm the park is open. Winter fishing can be productive for striped bass, but you'll have fewer anglers around and less stable access than in other seasons.

Is there a boat launch at Fort Foster?

No. Fort Foster is a day-use park for shore fishing and swimming only. If you want to fish from a boat in the Piscataqua, you'll need to use a launch in Portsmouth or Kittery Point. Fort Foster is designed for anglers who fish from the rocks and beach.

What's the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning (one hour before sunrise through mid-morning) and late evening (two hours before sunset through dusk) are most productive year-round. Midday fishing is slower, especially in summer when swimmers are in the water. Tide matters more than time of day—fish the slack water and the first two hours of incoming tide whenever they occur.

Do I need a saltwater fishing license to fish at Fort Foster?

No. Maine does not require a saltwater fishing license for residents or visitors. You do need to follow Maine's size and bag limits for each species. Check the current regulations on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website before you fish.

Can I keep mackerel I catch at Fort Foster?

Yes. Mackerel have no minimum size or daily limit in Maine, so you can keep as many as you catch. They're excellent bait for striped bass and bluefish, and they're good eating if you want to take them home. Most anglers use them fresh or keep them on ice for later use as bait.