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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Striped Bass in Maine & New Hampshire Coast may fishing.

Morone saxatilisMigratoryGood

Spring arrival underway. Migrating fish following bait and tide rips into the Gulf of Maine.

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 — Absent Departed south for the winter. Typical water temp: 38–44°FFeb — Absent Wintering off VA/NC; few fish in Maine waters. Typical water temp: 38–44°FMar — Absent Migration not yet reaching Maine — still in the Mid-Atlantic. Typical water temp: 40–46°FApr — Possible First scattered arrivals in southern New England waters; early Maine fish rare. Typical water temp: 46–52°FPossibleMay — Good Spring arrival underway. Migrating fish following bait and tide rips into the Gulf of Maine. Typical water temp: 52–58°FGoodJun — Peak Resident summer fish established along the coast. Sand eel and herring blitzes off the rocks and beaches. Typical water temp: 58–64°FPeakJul — Peak Mid-summer fishing. Peak resident bass on structure; larger fish hold deeper during midday heat. Typical water temp: 60–68°FPeakAug — Good Late summer slowdown midday — early/late tide windows still strong. Typical water temp: 60–68°FGoodSep — Good Fall migration begins — bass actively feeding and moving south. Typical water temp: 56–64°FGoodOct — Peak Peak fall blitzes along the beaches. Large fish on the move with bait. Typical water temp: 50–58°FPeakNov — Fair Last of the migration pushing through. Cool water shuts down the bite quickly. Typical water temp: 44–52°FFairDec — Absent Winter migration south complete. Typical water temp: 38–44°F

Migration pattern

Striped bass complete their northward migration into the Gulf of Maine by late May, peak from mid-June through August, and depart south by mid-October. Resident summer fish hold on coastal structure once water hits 60°F.

Best locations

  • Casco Bay
  • Saco River mouth
  • Isles of Shoals
  • Piscataqua River

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 Maine & New Hampshire Coast.

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