Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
One of America's most iconic game fish, the striped bass thrives along the Atlantic coast from Maine to the Carolinas and has been successfully landlocked in massive reservoirs across the South and Southwest. Anglers prize stripers for their explosive surface strikes, powerful runs, and excellent table quality. Whether you're surf casting at Montauk or trolling on Lake Texoma, the striper delivers a world-class fight.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- trolling with umbrella rigs
- surf casting
- live bait fishing
- topwater plugs
- jigging
Top Baits
- live eels
- bunker (menhaden)
- shad
- bucktail jigs
- swimbaits
- topwater poppers
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Striped Bass, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alabama 1 zone
Combined 15 fish daily limit for striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass. Special regulations on some reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arizona 1 zone
Found in Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Lake Pleasant. No minimum size. 6 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Arkansas 1 zone
Minimum length 20 inches. Daily bag limit of 6 combined with hybrid striped bass.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
California 1 zone
Found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, San Francisco Bay, and select reservoirs. 18-inch minimum.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Connecticut 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches. Connecticut River and Long Island Sound regulations. Season dates vary between inland and coastal waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Delaware 1 zone
20 inch minimum. 2 per day. Season dates and limits vary by waterway (Delaware River, Bay, ponds). Check area-specific rules.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov
Florida 1 zone
Minimum size 18 inches. Daily bag limit 3.
Effective 2025 · Source: myfwc.com
Georgia 1 zone
Minimum size 22 inches. Daily creel limit 2. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. Combined daily bag of 3 for striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass. Minimum size 17 inches for striped and hybrid striped bass.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Kansas 1 zone
Minimum length 21 inches. Daily bag limit of 2.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Daily creel limit 2.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Louisiana 1 zone
Minimum length 22 inches. Daily bag limit of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov
Maine 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches. Coastal and tidal river regulations. One fish per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: maine.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries have specific season dates and size limits. Trophy season and summer/fall seasons have different regulations. Only one fish may exceed 28 inches.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches. Regulations apply to both freshwater and saltwater areas. Cape Cod Canal has specific rules.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Mississippi 1 zone
3 per day combined for striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass. Special regulations on some waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdwfp.com
Missouri 1 zone
Minimum length 20 inches. Daily bag limit of 4.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Nevada 1 zone
No minimum size or maximum on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Anglers encouraged to keep striped bass to manage population.
Effective 2025 · Source: ndow.org
New Hampshire 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches. Coastal waters and tidal rivers only. New Hampshire has a short coastline but good striped bass fishing.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches in freshwater and marine waters. Season and regulations vary between the Delaware River and coastal waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New York 1 zone
Slot limit of 28 to 35 inches for the Hudson River and marine waters. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
Minimum size 20 inches. Daily creel limit 4. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
Oklahoma 1 zone
20-inch minimum, 2 fish daily limit statewide. Popular on Keystone Lake and Lake Texoma.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
28-inch minimum, 1 fish per day for recreational shore/boat anglers. Season and slot limits may vary by year. Check current regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
Minimum size 21 inches. Daily creel limit 3. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Daily creel limit 2. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Texas 1 zone
Minimum length 18 inches. Combined daily bag of 5 with hybrid striped bass.
Effective 2025 · Source: tpwd.texas.gov
Virginia 1 zone
Minimum size 20 inches. Daily creel limit 2. Regulations vary by water body.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
Daily creel limit 4. Found in Ohio River and select reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
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