Striper Migration Map – May 5, 2023
Migratory schoolies have reached Boston and beyond, and anglers are reporting more 30-inch-plus fish in the mix than typical for the first week of May.
Post-spawn stripers are exiting the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River and heading for the open ocean. Big bass are moving up the Hudson River, while plenty more continue to feast in the Raritan Bay. Migratory schoolies have reached Boston and beyond, and New England anglers are reporting more 30-inch-plus fish in the mix than typical for the first week of May.
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Maryland/Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Report
Maryland’s trophy striper season opened May 1 with a 35-inch minimum and a limit of one fish per person per day, but heavy rains and rough conditions have kept most anglers off the water. Post-spawn striped bass are moving south along channel edges as they make their way out of the Bay. The Susquehanna Flats areas will not open to striped bass fishing until May 16, with a slot size of 19 inches to 26 inches, and a one fish per person per day limit. Check the Department of Natural Resources website for a map to locate areas open or closed to striped bass fishing.
New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
The striped bass bite has grown steadily with most inlets having consistent action . It seems that some bigger fish have moved in, with 30- to 36-inch fish and some 40-inchers being landed.
The Raritan continues to hold schools of stripers, although weather has been challenging and it seems a good amount of the larger bass have headed up the Hudson to spawn.
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New York Striper Fishing Report
Long Island surf fishing has continued to improve, although some anglers have been distracted by the arrival of big bluefish. Big bass are moving all the way up the Hudson River on the way to spawn, which typically gets underway right about now.
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Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Herring continue to get holdover stripers active in Connecticut’s tidal rivers, with more fresh fish arriving daily and mixing in.
Striper fishing in Rhode Island has been above-average for late April, with blitzing fish in the 30-inch class feasting on river herring. Fish as large as 30 pounds have been reported.
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Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
It’s been an early and impressive arrival of migratory bass in Buzzards Bay. Good numbers of schoolies have arrived and many of the fish are in the 20- to 30-inch size class. Larger bass have been found harassing schools of herring, with fish up to 25 pounds reported in the Canal. 30-inch-class fish have also been chasing menhaden on the south side of the Cape. Stripers have been reported on the North Shore, including 30-inchers.
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New Hampshire/Maine Striper Report
Migrating stripers are trickling into New Hampshire and Southern Maine estuaries with each tide cycle. It’s time to get out and start looking for your first striper of the season!
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