2021 Striper Migration Map
Big, post-spawn Chesapeake Bay stripers are moving up the coast! Larger stripers are trickling into New England. It’s time to get serious – and make sure you’re signed up for The Striper Cup!
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.
Remember that striper fishermen are now required to use circle hooks when using natural bait. Also, let’s all do our best this season to make sure that any stripers we release swim away healthy.
Chesapeake Bay Striper Report
Post-spawn stripers have followed the channel edges toward lower Chesapeake Bay and out into the open ocean. Most fishermen are now focusing on smaller stripers. Striped bass fishing entered a new phase on May 16, as anglers in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay may keep one striped bass per day with a minimum size of 19 inches. Some restrictions continue in many of the tidal river areas until May 31, after which all tidal areas in Maryland will be open to fishing for striped bass. 2021 regulations for recreational striped bass fishing in the Chesapeake Bay are available on the DNR website.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
Striped bass have finished spawning and mostly moved out of the Delaware River. Check out Delaware Surf Fishing for a complete report if you’re a fisherman in Delaware Bay.
New Jersey Striper Report
In southern NJ, the striped bass front remained solid for fishermen trolling bunker spoons and mojos as some of the 30- to 40-pound class stripers have moved up. Live-lining bunker is producing when you can find isolated schools, and this tends to occur early in the morning. Striped bass to 30 inches are in play off the inlet jetties and bay bridges. In northern NJ, some BIG bass are around, including several in the 50-pound range hitting Mojos, shad umbrella rigs, and live baits in Raritan Bay.
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• Read the Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
• Read the Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
New York Striper Report
It’s been a great run in the Hudson River. Striper spawning was spotted this past week, and the bigger bass have started moving down river.
Mixed schools of schoolie stripers and 30-inchers can be found all around Long Island, and bass to 45 inches have been reported at Montauk. It’s only going to get better as we head toward the full moon next week.
• Read the Long Island Fishing Report
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Bass to 30 pounds are pushing into Western Long Island Sound to feed on bunker. Good numbers of migrating “slot” fish from 30 to 35 inches have moved in along the Connecticut coast, in the rivers, and into Rhode Island waters. A few schools of 30-pound fish have been reported on bunker schools.
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• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
Mostly schoolie stripers around Cape Cod this week, with more bass in the 30-inch class and the occasional isolated school of bigger bass around bunker (pogy) schools. Anglers are hoping the full moon tides next week bring in the first big wave of 20-pound-plus stripers. Schoolie stripers are moving in waves along the South Shore, schoolie blitzes are occurring in Boston Harbor, and Cape Ann has had more bass to 26 inches trickling in.
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• Read the Cape Cod Fishing Report
• Read the Massachusetts Fishing Report
New Hampshire/Maine Striper Report
Schoolies are officially in New Hampshire and southern Maine estuaries. Find the warmest water around to catch these early arrivals.
• Read the New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report
Please help I need to know the name of the pencil popper like lure you guys sent me last week in the package.
Caught 20 in 2 hours then it flew off.
Didn’t retie duh.
It almost looked like a sand eel .foreign maybe.
Email plzzzz