2018 Striper Migration Map
The striper migration has begun! March has been cold and stormy, but inshore waters are warming and the striper migration is progressing. Striped bass are moving toward spawning grounds in Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and smaller stripers are getting active in warming inshore areas in Delaware Bay, along the New Jersey beaches, in the backwaters at the west end of Long Island, and in tidal rivers in Connecticut, 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.
Chesapeake Bay Striper Report
On the upper Chesapeake, the water temperature in the Susquehanna Flats has been holding about 45 degrees and rising slowly. Pre-spawn striped bass are arriving and catch-and-release fishing for them is getting off to a good start.
In the main stem of the Chesapeake, water temperatures are cool, slowly creeping through the low 40s. Some anglers are enjoying a little catch-and-release action, but the fish aren’t very active except around the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant warm-water discharge. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to take precautions to protect fish they catch-and-release, and follow the rules. The Maryland Natural Resources Police have issued a statement to help guide those fishing during the striped bass catch-and-release season, which ends April 20. One should also be forewarned that practicing catch-and-release fishing in the closed spawning areas can result in fines and license suspensions.
Delaware Bay Striper Report
In inshore areas of upper Delaware Bay, short stripers are being caught and released, mostly by anglers fishing…
