Striped Bass Regulations 2025

Maryland Regulations

Chesapeake Bay & Tidal Tributaries:
- January 1 – February 28: All Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters and the Potomac River are open to catch and release fishing only.
- March 1 – March 31: Chesapeake Bay downstream from a line between Abbey Point and Worton Point to the Virginia line including Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. No harvest; catch and release only.
- April 1 – May 15: All areas closed to striped bass fishing. No catch and release fishing. Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
- May 16 – May 31: Chesapeake Bay downstream from a line drawn from the south corner of Hart-Miller Island Dike to the end of MD Route 21 at Tolchester and south to the MD/VA line, excluding all bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers. EXCEPT: Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound; Chester River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Hail Point to Long Point to Ferry Point; Patuxent River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Point Patience to the west point of land at the entrance of Little Kingston Creek; and Choptank River and its tributaries downstream of a line drawn from Holland Point to a point of land at the west entrance of Chapel Creek are open.
- June 1 – July 15: All areas open. 1 fish per person per day. Slot size is 19 inches–less than 24 inches.
- July 16 – July 31: All areas closed to striped bass fishing. No possession allowed. No catch and release fishing for striped bass allowed. Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period.
- August 1 – December 10: All areas open. Slot size is 19 inches–less than 24 inches.
- December 11 – December 31: All areas are open to catch and release fishing only. No harvest; catch and release only.
Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays and Tributaries:
- January 1 – December 31: No area restrictions in state waters. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- Striped bass may not be caught, harassed or possessed in the Exclusive Economic Zone, which stretches from 3–200 miles off the coast.
- Must always use non-offset circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait or processed baits (treble hooks are prohibited) when targeting striped bass.

Delaware Regulations

January 1 – March 31: Open Season
- 1 fish per person per day. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- April 1 – May 31: Catch and release only on spawning grounds.
- June 1 – June 31: Open Season
- July 1 – August 31: Open Season
- September 1 – December 31: Open Season
See Striped Bass Regulations Maps

Pennsylvania Regulations

NOTE: When fishing with bait for any species of fish in the tidal Delaware Estuary, the use of a non-offset (inline) circle hook is required.
See PA Fish & Boat Commission Regulations for Delaware River and Estuary

New Jersey Regulations

Regulations apply to Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass.
- Atlantic Ocean, 0-3 Nautical Miles from Shore: January 1 – December 31. Open Season. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- All Other Marine Waters: January 1 – February 28. Closed. No person may take, attempt to take, or have in possession any striped bass from closed waters.
- Delaware River & tributaries (Calhoun St. Bridge to Salem River & tributaries): March 1 – March 31 AND June 1 – December 31. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- Delaware River & tributaries (upstream of Calhoun St. Bridge): March 1 – December 31. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- NOTE: No person may take, attempt to take, or have in possession any striped bass from closed waters.
- Anglers participating in the Striped Bass Bonus Program may harvest one striped bass per permit at 24″ to less than 28″ in length from May 15 to December 31.
- It is illegal to take, attempt to take, catch or kill any striped bass from or in any marine waters of this state, by means of a net of any description, or by any methods other than angling with a hook and line or by spear fishing.
- Sale of striped bass in New Jersey is prohibited.
- It is illegal to gaff or attempt to gaff, any striped bass at any time.
- Non-offset circle hooks are required when fishing with bait.
- See Striped Bass Bonus Program for more information.

New York Regulations

Hudson River (north of George Washington Bridge):
- April 1 – Nov 30: Open Season. Slot size is 23–less than 28 inches.
- December 1 – March 31: Closed. Fishing for striped bass (including catch and release) is prohibited from December 1 through March 31 in the Hudson River above the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
- Non-offset (inline) circle hooks must be used when recreationally fishing for striped bass using natural bait. Exemption: Circle hooks are not required when fishing with an artificial lure, whether or not they are tipped with bait.
Marine Waters (beginning at the Hudson River south of George Washington Bridge) & Delaware River:
- April 15 – December 15: Open Season. Catch and release only. No person may take, attempt to take, or have in possession any striped bass from closed waters.
- Non-offset (inline) circle hooks must be used when recreationally fishing for striped bass using bait defined as any live or dead, whole or part of a marine or aquatic organism or terrestrial invertebrate. Exemption: Circle hooks are not required when fishing with an artificial lure, whether or not they are tipped with bait.
NOTE: NYSDEC prohibits the use or attempted use of gaffs when recreationally fishing for Atlantic striped bass in all state waters.

Connecticut Regulations

January 1 – December 31: Open Season
- 1 fish per person per day. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- NOTE: An inline circle hook is required when fishing with natural bait (does not apply to artificial lures).
See CT DEEP Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Rhode Island Regulations

January 1 – December 31: Open Season
- 1 fish per person per day. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- NOTE: Striped bass are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail.
See Massachusetts DMF Saltwater Fishing Regulations

New Hampshire Regulations

January 1 – December 31: Open Season
- 1 fish per person per day. Slot size is 28–less than 31 inches.
- NOTE: Gaffing and culling are prohibited; No sale allowed, regardless of origin.
See NH Fish & Game Saltwater Fishing Regulations