The 2026 striped bass migration is gaining momentum. There are post-spawn fish exiting the Chesapeake, another strong push of quality bass into New Jersey bays and along the beachfronts, and the first wave of migratory fish has reached southern New England, with reports of fresh fish in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
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Maryland/Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Report
Stripers are wrapping up the spawn and exiting Chesapeake Bay. In the Choptank River, bass were observed spawning last week, but that activity ceased on Saturday, with fish dropping out of the river, which reached 68 degrees this week, and back into the bay. According to the Maryland DNR, the ocean-bound bass won’t linger long after spawning, though a recent influx of bunker into the lower bay could delay their migration north a bit.
The fish that have already left the bay are showing up along Maryland and Delaware beaches. Many of the bass anglers are intercepting along the Assateague Island surf are in the mid-30 to 40-plus-inch range.
New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
New Jersey is currently the center of the spring migration. Last week’s new moon brought a wave of more and bigger bass into Raritan Bay. Fish as large as 50 inches have been reported. The fish have been hot on the tails of the bunker schools in the area.
Southern New Jersey continues to see steady action as well, with bass spread through back bays, inlets, and in the surf. The combination of warming water and abundant forage has created some of the most consistent fishing of the spring.
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New York Striper Report
The best action for big bass continues to be on the western end of the island, on both the north and south shores. Migratory fish are continuing to move east, with fish filling into Great South Bay along with good numbers of bunker. The surf is beginning to produce good fishing now in addition to the bays. The eastern end of the island is still waiting for more migratory fish to move in, but it should be a matter of days.
Bass are actively moving up the Hudson, but no spawning activity has been observed yet. Fish have been reported as far upriver as Catskill.
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Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Rhode Island finally saw a wave of migratory fish this week, following Connecticut, which saw more migratory fish last week. The floodgates haven’t opened yet, but the fishing should improve substantially as we approach the first of May’s full moons next week.
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
There’s been talk of migratory bass on the South Coast of Massachusetts. Usually, Martha’s Vineyard sees the Bay State’s first fresh fish, but Vineyard catches have been more rumor than report. Most of the action is close to the Rhode Island border, but the fish should be spreading through Buzzards Bay shortly.