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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Striped Bass in North Carolina Outer Banks may fishing.

Morone saxatilisMigratoryAbsent

Fish have moved north for spring/summer.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Wintering migratory fish concentrated in NC coastal waters; trophy season. Typical water temp: 42–50°FGoodFeb — Good Big winter striped bass off the Outer Banks beaches and inlets. Typical water temp: 42–50°FGoodMar — Fair Migratory fish moving north out of the area. Typical water temp: 46–54°FFairApr — Possible Last of the spring migration leaving for the Bay. Typical water temp: 54–62°FPossibleMay — Absent Fish have moved north for spring/summer. Typical water temp: 60–68°FJun — Absent No striped bass in coastal NC summer. Typical water temp: 70–78°FJul — Absent Same — fish are north for the summer. Typical water temp: 76–82°FAug — Absent No bass present. Typical water temp: 76–82°FSep — Absent Awaiting fall return. Typical water temp: 70–76°FOct — Possible First arrivals returning south. Typical water temp: 60–68°FPossibleNov — Fair Fall run starting to push back into NC waters. Typical water temp: 52–60°FFairDec — Good Fall and winter striped bass arriving in numbers. Typical water temp: 46–54°FGood

Migration pattern

North Carolina coastal waters host the wintering portion of the migratory population. Big stripers stage off the Outer Banks beaches December–March before pushing north. Summer is essentially absent.

Best locations

  • Cape Lookout
  • Oregon Inlet
  • Hatteras Inlet
  • Pamlico Sound

Top lures

  • Live menhaden
  • Soft plastic shads on jigheads
  • Bucktail jigs
  • Topwater pencil poppers
  • Trolled umbrella rigs
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Striped Bass in other regions

Get a notification when striped bass show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in North Carolina Outer Banks.

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