What You'll Find at Wells Beach

Wells Beach is a working fishing town with a public beach that gives you direct access to striped bass, summer flounder, and Atlantic mackerel without needing a boat. The beach runs roughly a mile along the Atlantic, with a mix of sand and rocky outcrops at the north end near the jetty. You can walk out on the sand at low tide and reach water that holds fish—the real advantage here is that you're not confined to a single pier or jetty like you are in most Maine beach towns.

The beach faces south and east, so it takes the full force of Atlantic swells. That means it's most fishable in summer and early fall when the water settles. Spring can work if you time it between nor'easters. Winter is rough; the beach gets pounded and the water temperature drops fast enough that most anglers move to sheltered rivers or head south.

Key Takeaways

  • Wells Beach has public parking and a lifeguard station, making it one of the few Maine beaches where you can fish legally year-round without special permission.
  • Striped bass move through in May and June, and again in September and October, with the best action on incoming tide around dawn or dusk.
  • Summer flounder (fluke) arrive in late June and stay through September, feeding in the deeper channels you can reach by wading at low tide.
  • The rocky jetty at the north end holds mackerel and small stripers but gets crowded on weekends; the open sand to the south is less pressured and often more productive.
  • Parking fills by mid-morning on summer weekends, so arrive early or fish the shoulder seasons when the beach is quieter.

Parking and Access

There is a public parking lot at the north end of Wells Beach, right where the road ends. It holds roughly 40 to 50 cars and costs money during summer months—typically a daily rate that varies by season. The lot fills by 10 a.m. on weekends in July and August. If you can't find a spot there, street parking exists along the road leading to the beach, though it's limited and enforced during the day.

The beach itself is open to the public year-round. There is a lifeguard station during summer months, and a small bathhouse with restrooms. You can walk directly onto the sand from the parking area. The jetty at the north end is accessible at low tide and gives you a vantage point for casting into deeper water, but it gets slippery and the rocks are sharp—wear good boots.

Striped Bass: Spring and Fall Runs

Stripers move through Wells Beach on their way north in May and June, and again on their way south in September and October. The spring run is shorter and less predictable—it depends on water temperature and how fast the fish are moving up the coast. Fall is more reliable; the fish linger longer as they feed before heading offshore.

Fish the incoming tide, especially the last two hours before high water. Cast into the deeper channels that form between the sand bars, or work the rocky areas at the north end where the jetty creates a current break. Dawn and dusk are best, but overcast days can produce all day. Use live mackerel or herring if you can get them; if not, metal shads and soft plastics in white or natural colors work. The average striper here runs 18 to 24 inches, though fish in the 28 to 35-inch range show up regularly in fall.

Summer Flounder and Mackerel

Fluke arrive in late June when the water warms to the mid-60s and stay through September. They settle into the deeper channels and holes you can reach by wading at low tide. The best fishing is usually an hour or two after low tide as the water starts to rise and the fish move back into the shallows to feed. Rig a small jig with a soft plastic body—white, pink, or chartreuse—and bounce it along the bottom. Fluke are aggressive and will hit hard.

Mackerel show up in June and can be caught all summer. They're fast, fun, and a good sign that larger stripers are nearby. Use small shiny lures, spoons, or live sand eels. Mackerel don't require much technique—cast and retrieve, and you'll connect. They're also excellent bait if you want to switch to live-bait fishing for stripers later in the day.

Tides and Timing

Wells Beach is tidal, and the difference between low and high water is roughly 9 to 10 feet. At low tide, you can walk out 100 yards or more on exposed sand and reach channels where fish concentrate. At high tide, the water comes up to the beach face and you're limited to casting from the sand or the jetty. Check tide tables before you go—they're free online and specific to Wells Beach.

Incoming tide is almost always better than outgoing. Fish feed as water rises and pushes baitfish into the shallows. The hour before high tide and the first hour after are prime. Outgoing tide can work, especially if you're fishing the jetty or rocky areas where the current is strong, but most anglers find it slower.

Seasonal Patterns and Weather

May and June bring stripers but also unpredictable weather. Nor'easters can shut down the beach for days. July and August are warmest and most crowded; fishing is slower because the water is warm and fish move to deeper, cooler water offshore. September and October are the best months—water cools, fish return to the shallows, and the beach is less packed.

November through April is rough. Winter storms pound the beach, visibility drops, and the water gets cold enough that most fish move elsewhere. Some anglers fish the jetty in November during calm days, but it's not reliable. If you want to fish Wells in winter, focus on the nearby Ogunquit River or head to the Cape Fear area of North Carolina where the same species are active.

What to Bring and What to Know

Bring a rod rated for 1 to 3 ounces of lure weight—a 7-foot medium-light spinning rod is ideal. Waders are useful but not required; you can fish the beach in regular clothes and just wade in your boots. Bring a headlamp if you're fishing dawn or dusk. The sun rises and sets fast in Maine, and you'll lose light quickly.

The beach can get rough fast. If the swell is over 4 feet and building, the fishing usually shuts down because you can't cast or see your lure. Check a surf forecast before you go. Also, Wells Beach is a public beach with swimmers and families, especially in summer. Fish early or late to avoid crowds and to avoid casting near people in the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish Wells Beach?

Yes. Maine requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You can get one online through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, or at most bait shops in town. It's inexpensive and valid for the calendar year.

Can I fish at night?

The beach itself closes at sunset, so night fishing is not permitted. However, the jetty at the north end may have different rules—check with the town or ask at a local bait shop. Some jetties allow night fishing, others don't.

Where can I buy bait and tackle?

Wells has a few bait shops within a few miles. The closest is usually in town or in nearby Ogunquit. Call ahead to confirm they have what you need, especially live mackerel or herring, which can sell out on busy days.

What's the best time of year to visit Wells Beach?

September and October are best for consistent fishing and fewer crowds. May and June can be good but weather is unpredictable. July and August are warmest but fishing is slower and the beach is packed with swimmers.

Is Wells Beach better than nearby beaches like Ogunquit?

Wells Beach is more open and less crowded than Ogunquit's main beach, and you have more room to walk and explore. Ogunquit has a longer jetty and can be better for stripers in spring. Both are worth fishing depending on conditions and what you're targeting.