2019 Striper Migration Map
Mature striped bass are in spawning mode in Chesapeake Bay, the Delaware River, and the Hudson River. Immature stripers (schoolies) are moving up the coast and providing fun catch-and-release fishing as they continue to spread north through Massachusetts.
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 Susquehanna Flats striped bass catch-and-release fishery closes Friday, May 3. The fishery will not reopen until May 16. The Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources is reporting that fishermen trolling for striped bass over 36 inches in the upper bay region below the Brewerton Channel have been experiencing what can best be described as a very slow pick. The striped bass spawn at the Susquehanna Flats and Elk River complex has not started in earnest yet, so it will be a week to two weeks before anglers can expect post-spawn striped bass to be moving through the region. Trollers are starting to catch more post-spawn striped bass now that the fish are exiting the Choptank. The lower bay offers the best chance at trolling up post-spawn striped bass as they head down the bay from the Choptank, Nanticoke, Patuxent and Potomac rivers spawning sites.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
Pre-spawn stripers have been reported by boaters fishing bunker chunks in upper Delaware Bay. Large female striped bass have moved up into the Delaware River to spawn. Please consider using inline circle hooks when fishing bait. Remember that circle hooks are required for all bait fishing above the South Jetty at the C&D Canal.
A note from the NJDEP: Pennsylvania allows anglers to harvest a daily limit of two striped bass measuring 21 to 25 inches for a two month period from April 1 through May 31 from the Calhoun St. Bridge in Trenton downstream to the Pennsylvania state line. New Jersey still has a closed season. Anglers fishing the Delaware River from the New Jersey shoreline, or returning to New Jersey by boat and/or car in April and May must abide by New Jersey’s striped bass regulations. Possession of striped bass in New Jersey is illegal during this time period. Anglers should be aware that there are differing size limits and seasons for striped bass for each of the three states bordering the Delaware River. Anglers must obey the regulations for the particular state where they land (catch) striped bass.
New Jersey Striper Report
In southern New Jersey, most of the stripers in the backwaters are schoolies, but more fish in the 30-inch class are being caught on chunked bunker. Bluefish are popping up from Cape May to Manasquan. Barnegat Bay continues to be the hot spot for striper fishing, however more and bigger bass are being reported in the rivers and backwaters.
• Read the Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
• Read the Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
New York Striper Report
Prespawn striped bass are moving well up into the Hudson River, and fish into the 30- and 40-pound class have been reported up to Albany.
Schoolie stripers are spreading out along the north and south sides of Long Island and 30-inch fish have become more numerous over the past week. Larger stripers should become more numerous over the next two weeks as post-spawn stripers move up the coast.
• Read the Long Island Fishing Report
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Fresh schoolies are mixing with holdover stripers along the Connecticut shore. The biggest bass are being caught in the rivers, where they are feeding on herring.
Migratory stripers continue to innundate Rhode Island, with good numbers of fish at the West Wall and along the South County beaches. Fresh fish are mixing with holdovers in upper Narragansett and Mt. Hope bays.
• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/ Massachusetts Striper Report
Fresh schoolie striped bass have been reported along the south side of Cape Cod from Woods Hole to Chatham and in Buzzards Bay. Schoolies have also been reported on the South Shore of Massachusetts from Plymouth to Scituate. Over the next week, schoolies should spread into Boston Harbor and into the backwaters of the North Shore and Cape Ann.
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Woohoo!!! let the fishing season begin!!
Omg yes lawd im about to hit south boston amd throw a few lures around good fishing ladies and gents
Has anyone heard about Battery Park in Manhattan? Are they in there yet?
Big time at nite
Anyone hear of any successes in the Hingham Harbor area?
Small ones in boston harbor area! But nothing bigger the 20 in!
Anyone know if there is any action yet on the cape canal?
Anyone know if they’re hitting in Groton Long Point, CT or Fisher’s Island NY? Thanks!