2019 Striper Migration Map
Big news this week is the migratory stripers moving into northern New Jersey. These fish are most likely pre-spawn Hudson stock, and they are taking advantage of the huge schools of bunker in the area. In Chesapeake Bay, big female striped bass are making their way into the lower and middle bay and heading up into spawning grounds in Chesapeake Bay tributaries. However, warming inshore waters have improved the bite for undersized stripers in Delaware, New Jersey, and the back bays at the west end of Long Island. Follow along as we track the Striper Migration. You can help by contributing to our weekly map updates—simply share your striper fishing reports here, and on social media with tag #stripermigration.
Chesapeake Bay Striper Report
The Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources is reporting large striped bass (females) moving through the lower bay region on their way to the spawning areas of the Potomac, Patuxent and Nanticoke rivers, and passing through on their way to the Choptank River and upper bay spawning sites. Catch-and-release trolling for large pre-spawn striped bass is gaining momentum as warm weather and calmer winds move into the region. Trolling along the steep channel edges of the lower bay region with large parachutes and bucktails off planer boards and heavy inline weights are good fishing methods. Medium-sized striped bass are being found along channel edges in the lower Potomac River around St. Georges Island and Piney Point, and jigging with large soft plastic jigs has been the most popular way to fish for them.
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to take precautions to protect fish they catch-and-release, and follow the rules. The Maryland Natural Resources Police have issued a statement to help guide those fishing during the striped bass catch-and-release season.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
In inshore areas of Delaware including the Indian River Inlet and upper Delaware Bay, fishermen are catching and releasing short rockfish (stripers) on small jigs and bait. Please consider using inline circle hooks when fishing bait.
New Jersey Striper Report
In southern New Jersey, striped bass action is still schoolies in back bays, although some anglers have had some really good action during the night shifts. Schools of migrating bass have been moving into northern New Jersey waters, where there are big schools of bunker and flocks of diving gannets. This week, many more fish in the 30-inch size class moved into the area.
• Read the Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
• Read the Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
New York Striper Report
Striped bass are moving up the Hudson River. River Basin Sport Shop in Catskill reported stripers being caught at Germantown and along the Greendale section of the river. Schoolie stripers are also begin caught in Catskill Creek. All fish have been under 28 inches.
Backwater areas on the West End of Long Island are holding some schoolie stripers, and the fish are getting more active with warming inshore water temperatures.
• Read the Long Island Fishing Report
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Holdover striper fishing in the Housatonic River and in Connecticut River tributaries has been improving as waters warm and river herring arrive.
• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/ Massachusetts Striper Report
Holdover striped bass are active on Martha’s Vineyard and in some fresh and brackish waters connected to the Mystic and the Charles rivers.
keep me posted on the migration and dates of opening days for all species of salt and fresh water fishing and maps of north waters.. thank you james..
Eagerly waiting for strippers.
this is the season thats great thx
Was in Raritan over the weekend – 20+ fish in total. 6 keepers up to 40″ off 1oz Skinner bucktail tipped with an otter tail.
Any fish spotted in mass??
6 April Hudson River, New York. Just north of TAPPAN ZEE Bridge about an hour of outgoing high tide. 2-22”, 2- 20”. All released! Waiting for a bigger one!
Any reports from Ossining / Croton point area?
36″ are past by Stony Point ny Already