Striper Migration Map – April 4, 2025
Spawning is happening in the Chesapeake, big stripers hit the Delaware Bay and River, and fishermen from the Raritan Bay north continue to await the first big push of migratory bass. With the full moon approaching, and weather steadily warming, it shouldn’t be long now.
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Maryland/Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Report
Striped bass fishing is closed in all Maryland portions of the Chesapeake Bay until May 15. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported the beginning of the striped bass spawn “in earnest” in the Choptank River this week, and is hopeful that this is the first of several spawns to occur this month. Stripers should also be spawning in the Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers.
On the ocean side and inside Ocean City Inlet, where striped bass fishing remains open, anglers are reporting good action on bass to about 28 inches.
New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
Little changed in the northern half of New Jersey this week, as anglers still await a big push of larger stripers into the Raritan. In the Delaware Bay, however, 40-inch stripers were reported from the Cape May area up into the river. In-between, fishermen continue to find stripers in the backwaters on lures and artificials. Most of these fish are 18 to 25 inches long, but teh occasional slot-size fish has been reported.
New York Striper Report
Resident or “holdover” stripers remain active in backwater areas and the west end bays on Long Island, with good numbers of 30-inch stripers in the mix. Fresh migrating fish have begun moving into the western bays on Long Island’s south shore. Things appear to be a bit behind last year at this time.
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Holdover striper fishing in the Housatonic River and in Connecticut River tributaries has improved as the fish get more active with warming water and the arrival of river herring. Holdover stripers are also being caught in rivers and backwaters in the far western areas of Connecticut. Holdover stripers are also active and being caught in Rhode Island salt ponds and rivers. Fishermen will likely begin looking for fresh arrivals this week.
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
Holdover striped bass continue to be caught on Cape Cod and around Boston, with river herring trickling into the runs and ospreys returning to their posts. With the weekend weather trending warm (away from the coast, at least), the overall trend is feeling like spring.
Source: https://onthewater.com/striper-migration-map-april-4-2025
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