2020 Striper Migration Map
One thing you can be certain of in these uncertain times – the striper migration will continue. After a mild winter and an early start to striper fishing in many locations, a relatively cool and windy April slowed things down.
Post-spawn striped bass are exiting their Chesapeake Bay tributaries while spawning stripers are flooding into the Hudson River. Schoolie striper fishing has been very good inside New Jersey rivers, backwaters, and bays, bass are moving east along the south side of Long Island and in Long Island Sound along the Connecticut shoreline, and schoolie stripers have arrived in Rhode Island and 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.
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. Light-tackle and fly-fishermen have been enjoying shallow-water action while trolling is producing larger post-spawn bass to 50 inches.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
Striped bass (rockfish) have moved up into the Delaware River to spawn. 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, access is getting easier now that state parks have reopened and most bait shops are offering curbside service. 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 beginning to show up on the ocean side from Cape May to Atlantic City and the next week or two should see an improvement in the ocean fishing. The Raritan Bay striper bite has slowed as bass moved into the Hudson, but big fish are still being caught on plugs, shads, bunker spoons and mojos. Surfcasters are catching on bloodworms and bunker chunks. 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 this week with bass to 30 pounds as far upriver as Troy, where water temperatures are in the mid-50s.
On Long Island, surf fishing continues to improve as migrating stripers spread east along the south side beaches and along the north shore in Long Island Sound. Big bluefish have also appeared in the surf.
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The canal cowboys were hot last night. Good moon and the right tides has em chewing #2forhookin
• Read the New York / 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 have pushed up into Narragansett Bay, with more 24-inch-plus fish in the mix now.
• Read the Connecticut Fishing Report
• Read the Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cape Cod/ Massachusetts Striper Report
Schoolies have arrived in all parts of Massachusetts, with reports of good numbers of fish this week coming from Buzzards Bay to Cape Ann.
• Read the Cape Cod Fishing Report
• Read the Massachusetts Fishing Report
New Hampshire and Maine Striper Report
With fresh stripers spreading out along the North Shore of Massachusetts, we expect to hear confirmed reports of schoolies arriving in New Hampshire and Maine waters this week.
• Read the New Hampshire/Maine Fishing Report
There here
Saco bay?