It’s the final spring striper migration map of 2022! Stripers are settling into summertime hotspots like Montauk, Block Island, eastern Long Island Sound, and outer Boston Harbor. Overall, there have been some good reports this spring that provide hope for a rebound in striper numbers, with a noticeable presence of 28- to 32-inch stripers. However, the fishery remains below its peak and full recovery will require conservative striper management along with good catch-and-release practices.
In general, the striped bass fishing from the eastern end of Long Island through Maine will ebb and flow throughout the summer, with full and new moon periods bringing enhanced action. Stripers will continue to move around, seeking bait and favorable water conditions.
As the water and weather continues to warm, bass will increasingly shift to a nocturnal feeding schedule and daytime feeding activity will diminish. Early risers and night owls will enjoy the best striper action over the next couple months, and live or natural bait (fished with circle hooks) will give anglers an edge over artificials, for the most part. Stripers will have narrower feeding windows as they settle into summer patterns, but should you unlock one of these patterns, you could enjoy good fishing for weeks.
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New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
The fishing for large stripers is slowing down in New Jersey, but boats trolling are still picking up big fish by covering water looking for the scattered, lingering schools. Resident fish are setting up in the surf, where fishermen are doing well with sand fleas.
Long Island/New York Striper Fishing Report
The bulk of the large striper fishing is steadily moving east, as big bass set up in the rips off Montauk.
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Fishing Report
Giant stripers are moving into the Eastern Sound and finding good schools of bunker near the mouth of the Connecticut River.
Striper fishing is great in the ocean off Rhode Island and out at The Block.
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Fishing Report
Massive schools of bunker are attracting big stripers outside Boston Harbor, but there are also big bass roaming over deep, open water in Cape Cod Bay. The commercial striped bass season is open and Mondays to Wednesdays have been extremely crowded in the best locations, as commercial fishermen seek their 15 fish per day at 35 inches or greater to bring to market.
On the South Side of Cape Cod and in Buzzards Bay, larger fish have been a bit harder to come by as waters warm, though slot-sized bass are plentiful.
New Hampshire/Maine Striper Report
New Hampshire and Maine anglers continue to enjoy good fishing with bass to 30 pounds and above.
• Read the New Hampshire and Maine Fishing Report
