Where to Fish for Striped Bass Today

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 conditions

Water temp: 50–72°F (ideal 62°F)
Tide: incoming
Moon: either
Depth: 5–35 ft
Active months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best striped bass conditions today

Sort Open harvest only

What anglers are reporting about striped bass

From the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report, published May 27, 2026 · 46 days old — a newer report may be available.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

The weekend rain brought about some increased flows at the Conowingo Dam this week and anglers are fishing at the dam pool for blue and flathead catfish with good results. The blue catfish action mixed with channel catfish continues down the Susquehanna and out into the upper Bay. All the region’s tidal rivers also hold populations of blue and channel catfish. Overcast conditions often make for excellent fishing for striped bass, which anglers are reporting this week. Casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs near structure and jigging along channel edges is a very popular way to fish and obtain good results.

Species mentioned: blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass

Middle Bay

Fishing for striped bass at the Bay Bridge piers has been good this past week and should continue. Boats have been anchoring up-current of the bridge piers on the east side and drifting live spot and assorted baits back to the pier bases. Other anglers are positioning close to the piers and casting soft plastic jigs to the pier bases with good success. Striped bass fishing is very good for light tackle anglers casting and jigging in many traditional locations in the middle Bay. Eastern Bay, Poplar Island, Thomas Point, and the mouth of the Choptank River are just a few locations where casting paddletails and soft plastic jigs is working well.

Species mentioned: spot, striped bass

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

Surf anglers are enjoying good fishing off the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Anglers fishing with large cut baits are catching large striped bass, red drum and bluefish. Most of the striped bass measure over the maximum slot size of 31 inches, but provide exciting catch-and-release action, as do the large red drum. Black drum are being caught on sand fleas and clams. At the Ocean City Inlet and Route 50 Bridge area, anglers are catching striped bass by casting soft plastic jigs and paddletails . A fair number of the striped bass being caught are falling within the 28-31 inch slot.

Species mentioned: black drum, bluefish, red drum, striped bass

Excerpts are anecdotal and reflect a single week's observations from DNR biologists and reporting anglers — not predictions. Use as one signal among many; verify against current conditions before planning a trip.

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

tidal bay

Min size: 19"
Max size: 24"
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 · verified 2026-04-22

Delaware (tidal)

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

tidal delaware

Min size: 20"
Max size: 24"
Creel: 1

Delaware Bay, Delaware River, and their tributaries. Unique summer slot (20–24 in, 1/day) applies only July 1–August 31. Outside that window, the same 28–31 in slot as coastal Atlantic waters applies. Catch-and-release only on spawning grounds April 1–May 31. DE-tidal-specific summer regulation — this is the slot commonly called the "Delaware Bay summer slot."

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

atlantic

Min size: 28"
Max size: 31"
Creel: 1

Delaware Atlantic Ocean coast and all DE tidal waters OTHER than Delaware Bay/River/tributaries during the Jul 1–Aug 31 summer slot. 28–31 in slot (ASMFC coastwide), 1 fish/day. April 1–May 31 is catch-and-release only on designated spawning grounds.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (tidal — VMRC)

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

tidal bay

Min size: 19"
Max size: 24"
Creel: 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 · verified 2026-04-22

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

atlantic

Min size: 28"
Max size: 31"
Creel: 1

Virginia Atlantic Ocean (coastal area). 28–31 inch slot, 1 fish per day. Open January 1–March 31 and May 16–December 31. Closed April 1–May 15 for the spawning run. 4VAC20-252-110. Matches the ASMFC coastwide slot. Distinct from the Bay slot (19–24 in) — the two are not interchangeable; the coastal reg applies only seaward of the COLREGS demarcation line.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Potomac main stem (PRFC)

Stale: last verified 81 days ago.

tidal potomac

Min size: 19"
Max size: 24"
Creel: 1

Potomac River main stem, managed by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. 19–24 inch slot, 1 fish per day. Open May 16–July 6 and August 21–December 31 (summer C&R closure July 7–August 20 to protect fish from thermal stress, mirrors VA's Potomac tributaries rule in 4VAC20-252-100). January 1–May 15 is catch-and-release only. Non-offset circle hooks required when fishing with cut or whole natural bait. Live eels are prohibited year-round. The PRFC regulation applies to the main stem only — tributaries follow MD or VA state regs depending on bank.

Source · verified 2026-04-22