Martha's Vineyard

On Martha's Vineyard, Marine Fisheries owns or funded three well-known public shore fishing spots: Dogfish Bar in Aquinnah, East Beach on Chappaquiddick (the gateway to the Wasque surf), and the Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier. Between them they cover the island's big seasons: striped bass and scup in spring, and false albacore and bonito in fall, when the island's famed fishing derby runs.

When to fish

• Spring: Dogfish Bar is known for outstanding spring striped bass fishing, and scup arrive at the Oak Bluffs pier in late spring.
• Fall: false albacore at Dogfish Bar, and albies and bonito from the Oak Bluffs pier during the fall derby. Bluefish, bonito and Spanish mackerel are also common at Dogfish Bar.

Where to fish

• Dogfish Bar (Aquinnah): at the island's west end, and one of the state's more popular shore fishing spots.
• East Beach and Wasque (Chappaquiddick): half a mile of beach that Marine Fisheries bought to keep anglers' access to the Wasque Point surf; bluefish and stripers are the usual targets. It connects the Wasque Reservation and the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge.
• Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier: a public pier in Oak Bluffs with fishing from late spring through fall.

Getting there

Dogfish Bar: take State Road toward Aquinnah past Menemsha and Squibnocket ponds, turn right on Lobsterville Road, left on Lighthouse Road and right on the unpaved Oxcart Road, which runs along the beach. There are only five off-road parking spaces, no roadside parking, and parking is for shore fishing only.

East Beach: from the Chappaquiddick ferry, follow Chappaquiddick Road and then Dike Bridge Road, parking before or after the bridge, or enter through the Wasque Reservation off Pocha Road. The Trustees of Reservations, which manages the area, charges an entrance fee, and driving on the beach requires an over-sand vehicle permit.

You need a Massachusetts saltwater fishing permit. Striped bass have a slot limit and a circle hook rule for bait, and bonito and false albacore have state limits.