Dr. Krista Kraskura of Towson University discusses her studies on larval and juvenile stripers, to determine what factors are influencing the survival rate of young-of-year The 2026 Maryland Young of the Year Index is in, and while it’s the best showing we’ve seen since 2018, there’s still reason for concern about the future of the striped bass fishery. This week, we take a closer look at what those numbers mean for the striped bass population and sit down with Dr. Krista Kraskura of Towson University to explore what’s happening in the Chesapeake Bay. Her research examines how rising water temperatures, low oxygen levels, and other environmental stressors affect striped bass survival from the earliest stages of life. We discuss what it takes for a successful year class, why the timing of spring temperatures matters, and whether the Chesapeake Bay can still produce the big year classes that have shaped the fishery. We also get into what anglers can do to help protect the striped bass we catch today and the fishery we hope to have tomorrow. It’s an important conversation about the science behind striped bass spawning success, the future of the fishery, and why protecting the Chesapeake Bay matters to every striper fisherman along the coast.
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