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Single-region spawn timing

Striped Bass (Coastal) spawn timing in Chesapeake Bay (Lower).

Morone saxatilisApril – June

Lower Chesapeake (Rappahannock, James) spawn peaks April–May.

Calendar & temperature

JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Pre-spawn — water rising toward 55°FAprApr — Peak spawn (58–65°F)MayMay — Peak spawn (58–65°F)JunJun — Peak spawn (58–65°F)JulJul — Post-spawn — water at 70°F+AugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
Typical window: April – June
32°37°42°47°52°57°62°67°72°77°82°87°Peak 58–65°F
Pre-spawn — best fishingPeak spawn — conservationPost-spawn — recovery feeding·Dashed line = peak spawn boundaries

Phase-by-phase

Pre-Spawn

Trophy fishing window
50–55°F

Pre-spawn striped bass migrate from coastal Atlantic into tributary rivers (Chesapeake, Delaware, Hudson) as water temperatures climb through low 50s.

The Chesapeake spring trophy striper season targets pre-spawn bull stripers staging at the Bay mouth — VA trophy season runs through May.

Spawn

Conservation window
55–70°F (peak 58–65°F)

Active spawning behavior. Broadcast spawners — eggs require flowing brackish water to remain suspended. Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and Hudson River produce the bulk of Atlantic Coast striped bass.

Atlantic striped bass populations are under ASMFC rebuilding plan due to overfishing and reduced recruitment. Slot limits are tight, harvest is restricted, and most coastal states have implemented add

Conservation context

Atlantic striped bass populations are under ASMFC rebuilding plan due to overfishing and reduced recruitment. Slot limits are tight, harvest is restricted, and most coastal states have implemented additional spawn-period protections. C&R for trophy bull stripers (40+ inches) is widely practiced.

Post-Spawn

Recovery feeding
70–78°F (~14 days)

Post-spawn coastal stripers leave tributary rivers and migrate north along the Atlantic coast through spring and summer.

The post-spawn striped bass migration is the iconic East Coast inshore event — fish push north from Chesapeake toward Maine.

Summer Pattern

Standard patterns
Above 78°F

Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.

Standard summer fishing tactics apply.

Full Striped Bass (Coastal) spawn guide →Full Chesapeake Bay (Lower) spawn calendar →