What's helping
- ✓ incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- ✓ 7 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- − 77°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- − Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- − NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Regulations may be out of date Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 1
Chesapeake Bay recreational regulations (2026). January 1–April 30 and December 6–31 are catch-and-release only (no harvest) — the April C&R period was restored in 2026 for the first time since 2019. August 1–31 is closed to all targeting to protect fish from thermal stress. Spawning rivers (Choptank, Chester, Manokin, Nanticoke, Patuxent, Transquaking, Wicomico) and the Upper Bay spawning area / Susquehanna Flats are closed to targeting March 1–May 31. Circle hooks required when fishing with bait. Potomac River main stem is managed separately by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. Atlantic coast regulations (28–31 in slot, year-round) differ.
Source: Maryland tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.