What Ten Pound Island offers and how to fish it

Ten Pound Island sits in Gloucester Harbor about a quarter-mile off the downtown waterfront, and it's one of the most accessible saltwater spots in the area if you have a boat or can hire a charter. The island itself is a small, rocky outcrop with shallow water around it—mostly 8 to 15 feet depending on tide—and it holds striped bass and flounder from spring through fall. The real draw is the structure: rocky bottom, kelp beds, and the current that runs past the island on both the flood and ebb. You're fishing a place where baitfish get funneled and predators know it.

Access means either launching from one of Gloucester's public ramps or booking a charter boat. The island is too close to downtown to wade, and private boat owners typically anchor in 12 to 18 feet of water on the south or west side, depending on wind and tide. Kayakers sometimes fish the shallower edges, but the current and boat traffic make it less forgiving than other harbor spots. Most anglers work the island on the moving tide—flood or ebb—when stripers are actively feeding.

Key Takeaways

  • Ten Pound Island holds striped bass and flounder in 8 to 15 feet of water, with the best fishing on moving tides when current pushes baitfish past the rocky structure.
  • You need a boat to reach the island; public launch ramps are available in downtown Gloucester, and charter boats fish the spot regularly.
  • Spring and early summer bring stripers; summer and early fall are better for flounder, though both species overlap in May and September.
  • The island sits in active harbor traffic, so anchor securely and watch for commercial fishing boats and ferries moving through the channel.

Seasonal patterns and what to expect

Striped bass show up around Ten Pound Island in late April and stay through June, with the heaviest bite in May when water temperatures climb into the low 50s. They're hunting sand eels and small herring in the shallower water around the island, and live bait or small swimbaits work better than topwater early in the season. By July, the water warms and stripers move deeper or out toward the breakwater; the bite gets slower and more dependent on timing the slack water around dawn and dusk.

Flounder move in around June and stay through September, with July and August being the most reliable months. They sit on the sandy patches between the rocks and hunt small baitfish and shrimp. Drift fishing with live mackerel or squid works well, and you can also anchor and fish the bottom with a simple two-hook rig. The flounder bite is steadier than the stripers—less dependent on exact tide timing—but the fish tend to be smaller than what you'll find on the outer bars.

Fall, from September through October, brings another push of stripers as they fatten up before moving offshore. The water cools, baitfish concentrate, and the island becomes productive again. This is often the best time to fish Ten Pound Island if you want consistent action and larger fish.

Tides, current, and timing

The current at Ten Pound Island runs strongest on the flood tide, pushing water into the harbor from the northeast. This is when most anglers fish—the moving water activates stripers and concentrates baitfish. The ebb tide also produces, but the current is less pronounced and the bite is often slower. Slack water, the 15 to 20 minutes between tide changes, can be dead or surprisingly good depending on the season and time of day.

Plan your trip around the tide tables for Gloucester Harbor. A two-hour window on either side of the peak flood tide is usually your best bet. If you're fishing in summer, start early—the bite often shuts down by mid-morning when the sun is high and the water is warm. Fall and spring allow for longer productive windows throughout the day.

Tackle and bait that work

For stripers, bring medium-action spinning rods with 15- to 20-pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader. Live mackerel or herring work best, but if you can't get live bait, 3- to 4-inch swimbaits in natural colors—pearl, chartreuse, or dark patterns—will take fish. Jigs tipped with soft plastics also produce, especially on the ebb tide when you can work them vertically around the rocks.

Flounder fishing calls for lighter tackle: medium-light spinning rods with 12- to 15-pound line and a simple two-hook bottom rig or a jig-and-squid combo. Bring fresh mackerel, squid, or live shrimp if you can find it. The flounder bite is often subtle, so you need to feel the bottom and stay alert for the slight tap that signals a bite.

Bring more tackle than you think you'll need. The rocks around Ten Pound Island eat rigs and lures, especially on the ebb when the current pulls you into the structure. Spare hooks, leaders, and jigs will save your trip.

Getting there and what to know about the harbor

Public boat launches in Gloucester include the ramp at Stage Fort Park (off Hough Avenue) and the ramp at Pavilion Beach. Both are free or low-cost and have parking. Stage Fort is closer to Ten Pound Island and is the more popular choice for anglers heading to the island. Arrive early in the season or on weekends—parking fills up, especially on nice days.

Once you're on the water, Ten Pound Island is easy to spot: it's the small rocky island with a light tower, sitting roughly 0.3 miles southeast of downtown. Anchor on the south or west side depending on wind. The harbor is busy with commercial fishing boats, ferries, and recreational traffic, so stay alert and keep your radio on. The bottom is rocky and holds well, but make sure your anchor is set before you leave the boat.

The island itself is off-limits to landing—it's a protected nesting area for seabirds—so fish from your boat. Respect the closure and keep your distance from the rocks if you see birds nesting.

Alternatives if Ten Pound Island is crowded

If the island is packed or the bite is slow, the Gloucester waterfront has other options within a short boat ride. The breakwater to the east holds stripers and offers more room to fish. The inner harbor near the fish house produces flounder and small stripers in summer. Rocky Neck, just across the harbor, has shallow-water structure that works well for stripers in spring and fall.

If you don't have a boat, charter boats out of Gloucester fish Ten Pound Island regularly and can put you on the fish. It costs more than launching your own boat, but you get local knowledge and don't have to worry about navigation or anchoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish Ten Pound Island?

Early morning, especially during the spring and fall striper runs, produces the most consistent action. In summer, the bite often shuts down by mid-morning. Fish the moving tide—flood or ebb—rather than slack water, and plan your trip around the tide tables for Gloucester Harbor.

Can I kayak around Ten Pound Island?

Kayakers can fish the shallower edges, but the island sits in active harbor traffic and the current can be strong. It's less forgiving than other harbor spots. If you kayak, stay alert for larger boats and avoid the peak traffic times around dawn and dusk.

What size fish can I expect?

Stripers around the island range from 18 to 30 inches, with occasional larger fish in spring and fall. Flounder are typically smaller, 12 to 16 inches, though you can find bigger ones. The island is more about consistent action than trophy fish.

Do I need a permit to fish Ten Pound Island?

Massachusetts requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You can purchase one online through the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries or at most tackle shops in Gloucester. Charter boats include licensing in their fee.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

Ten Pound Island is exposed to northeast wind and can get rough quickly. Check the forecast before you launch, and don't hesitate to head in if conditions deteriorate. The harbor can look calm from shore but be choppy once you're on the water.