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Striped Bass

Striped bass
Striped Bass Striped Bass are found throughout Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries year-round. This area is the primary spawning location for Striped Bass along the Mid-Atlantic coast. In the Chesapeake Bay region, Striped Bass are anadromous, migrating from marine to freshwater areas to spawn.
Striped bass
Juvenile Striped Bass Striped Bass spawn from April through May, and the juveniles often appear in Juvenile Finfish Trawl Survey catches from May to July. These juvenile Striped Bass are only about 25 millimeters (1 inch) long.
Striped bass
Adult Striped Bass The Juvenile Finfish Trawl Survey typically does not catch many large Striped Bass because they are able to swim faster than the trawl gear. This 835 millimeter (33 inch) individual was caught in the James River in March of 2008.
Striped bass and white perch
Striped Bass vs White Perch Juvenile Striped Bass and juvenile White Perch look very similar. In this photo, the top fish is a Striped Bass and the bottom fish is a White Perch. Both fish are approximately 40 millimeters (1.5 inches) in length.


  • This species first recruits to the survey gear in May. 
  • The Young-of-Year cutoff values are:
    • May: 0-50 mm.
    • June: 0-80 mm.
    • July: 0-100 mm.
    • August: 0-120 mm.
    • September: 0-135 mm.
    • October: 0-150 mm.
    • November: 0-175 mm.
    • December: 0-190 mm.
    • January: 0-200 mm.
    • February: 0-200 mm.
    • March: 0-200 mm.
    • April: 0-200 mm.
  • YOY Index months are in bold.
  • The index is for Age 0 fish. The index is measured during December, January, and February following spawning.
  • Only stations in the upper portions of the rivers are used.

Data collected after the transition to a new vessel and net (June 2015) have been adjusted by a species-specific calibration factor.

Striped Bass Excel file

For more information on how this species is managed please visit the ASMFC website.