Kiptopeke State Park, Northampton County, VA
Striped Bass fishing today
Striped Bass harvest is closed today.
96/100
Why today scores 96
- 60°F water — Right in Striped Bass's ideal range
- incoming tide — Striped Bass prefers incoming tide
- 8 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Kiptopeke State Park
- Water temp
- 60°F
- Air temp
- 69°F
- Wind
- 3 to 8 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:20 AM / 7:44 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:40 AM - 1:40 AM · 4:40 AM - 6:40 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:10 PM - 7:10 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Striped Bass
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."
Preferred water temp: 50–72°F (ideal 62°F). Preferred tide: incoming.
VA regulations
- Minimum size
- 19"
- Maximum size
- 24"
- Daily creel limit
- 1
Virginia Chesapeake Bay and tributaries (excluding the Potomac main stem, which is managed by PRFC). 19–24 inch slot, 1 fish per day. Two open windows: May 16–June 15 (4VAC20-252-80) and October 4–December 31 (4VAC20-252-90). All other dates are closed to striped bass harvest in tidal Bay waters. Virginia's spring opener is two weeks earlier than MD (May 16 vs. May 1 opener for MD). Potomac River tributaries follow the PRFC schedule — see PRFC block.
Source: VA regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.