2020 Striper Migration Map
After a mild winter and an early start to striper fishing in many locations, a relatively cool and windy April slowed things down. As of mid-May, we seem to be right were we usually are, with post-spawn striped bass exiting Chesapeake Bay, spawning stripers in the Hudson River, and schoolies spreading north into southern Maine.
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.
Be sure to follow local guidelines and stay safe and healthy! You can find information and links to relevant state agencies on our COVID-19 and Fishing page.
Also, note that there were some significant changes to striped bass regulations this year.
Chesapeake Bay Striper Report
Maryland has lifted their prohibition on recreational boating and recreational catch-and-release fishing. Maryland also opened to striped bass fishing on May 1 and issued guidance for the striped bass season. Starting on May 16, the size and bag limit for striped bass in the bay and tributaries (excluding the Susquehanna Flats) will be one fish per person, per day, with a minimum size of 19 inches. On the Susquehanna Flats, the limit will be one fish between 19-26 inches. Light-tackle and fly-fishermen have been enjoying shallow-water action while trolling channel edges in middle and lower Chesapeake Bay has been producing larger post-spawn bass to 50 inches. Maryland’s excellent fishing report returned this week, check it out for more details on the Chesapeake Bay fishing scene.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
Striped bass (rockfish) are moving out of the Delaware River after spawning. There has been some action on chunked bunker in upper Delaware Bay. Be sure to follow your state’s regulations requiring catch-and-release of striped bass and the use of circle hooks when fishing bait.
New Jersey Striper Report
In New Jersey, big bass showed up along the coast this week. The bays, rivers and bridges continue to fish well for striped bass to 30 inches, with smaller soft-plastics on single-hook jigs fishing well. Larger bass are being caught on the troll from Cape May to Atlantic City and on snagged and live-lined bunker. The Raritan Bay striper bite remains strong even though some of the bass have moved into the Hudson. Stripers to 50 pounds are still being caught on plugs, shads, flutter spoons, bunker spoons and mojos. Surfcasters are catching on bloodworms and bunker chunks and on plugs after dark. Take advantage of curbside and delivery service from your local tackle shop and be safe.
• Read the Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
• Read the Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
New York – Hudson River and Long Island Striper Report
Hudson River spawning stock stripers have moved up the Hudson to spawn. The fishing has picked up recently with more bass from 30 to 50 pounds reported.
On Long Island, bass to 30 inches and 10 to 15 pounders are becoming more common. Bigger post-spawn stripers could very well arrive on the new moon tides toward the end of next week.
• Read the Long Island Fishing Report
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Migrating stripers are making a good showing along the shorelines of Connecticut, with larger bass beginning to show in western Long Island Sound. Schoolie stripers are increasing in number in Rhode Island and bass to 30 inches are becoming more common. With river herring and bunker around, a push of bigger striped bass should arrive over the next week.
• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/ Massachusetts Striper Report
Schoolies have arrived along the coast of Massachusetts, with good numbers of fish from 22 to 26 inches and a few bigge bass in the mix. Next week should bring more fish over 30 inches into southern Massachusetts waters.
• Read the Cape Cod Fishing Report
• Read the Massachusetts Fishing Report
New Hampshire and Maine Striper Report
Fresh migrating stripers have arrived in New Hampshire and southern Maine waters!
• Read the New Hampshire/Maine Fishing Report
Don’t go to the herring run in the canal. The tribal is catching the herring with nets and catching and keeping 20 inch bass. I called environmental police and I was told “the rules don’t apply to them”. Very sad.
They do it every year…so desperate for that herring…They either sell it or pickle that shit…All I know is thats a lot of damn herring to pickle