2020 Striper Migration Map
A cool spring delayed the progress of the striper migration compared to recent years. Big bass are dominating catches in New Jersey, while from Long Island to Maine it’s been mostly schoolies. That could change any day now as big bass move north from their spawning grounds.
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.
Note that there were some significant changes to striped bass regulations this year.
Chesapeake Bay Striper Report
Maryland 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 is one fish between 19-26 inches. Jigging has been productive for smaller stripers in the Upper and Middle Bay, while trolling channel edges in middle and lower Chesapeake Bay has continued to produce some larger post-spawn bass. Read Maryland’s excellent fishing report 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 slot-sized fish 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 Southern New Jersey, striped bass continue to be caught on the troll and along the jetties with plugs and poppers. In Northern New Jersey, a bigger class of striped bass have moved into the area and boats trolling Mojos and bunker spoons offshore are catching and releasing fish up to (and over) 50 pounds.
• Read the Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
• Read the Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
New York – Hudson River and Long Island Striper Report
In the Hudson River, water temperatures are rising and fishing has been less consistent as stripers finish spawning and head down river. Big bass are being caught in the Croton area, and most appear to be post-spawn.
On Long Island, schoolie stripers have dominated the inshore fishing but there have been whispers of big post-spawn bass on the north shore and south shore. With big bass leaving the Hudson and moving up the NJ shore, the bite could break open any day.
• 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 dominating in Rhode Island, but more bass in the 30- to 36-inch class have been reported this week in Narragansett Bay.
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Some more fun topwater action from yesterday! Gotta live the spring time action!
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I caught a big ass fish today. #stripedbass #flyfishing #stripermigration
• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/ Massachusetts Striper Report
Schoolies have spread along the coast of Massachusetts from Buzzards Bay to Boston Harbor and the North Shore, with great numbers of fish from 22 to 26 inches. Bigger bass over 20 pounds are officially running late, and the consensus among anglers on Cape Cod is “any day now.”
• Read the Cape Cod Fishing Report
• Read the Massachusetts Fishing Report
New Hampshire and Maine Striper Report
Fresh migrating stripers have filled in with rivers in New Hampshire and southern Maine loaded with 22- to 26-inch schoolies.
• Read the New Hampshire/Maine Fishing Report
Thanks for absolutely nothing, maybe next time share something helpful about NH instead of a picture of “thE SalTY BloNDE”
Providence river should be renamed providead river nothing but schoolies it’s the first week of June and people are catching bigger blues than stripper down the bay it’s a shame this fishery sucks.