When Do Striped Bass Run? Timing Their Seasonal Migrations

You’ll catch striped bass running north when spring waters warm past 45°F—typically mid-March through May, depending on your latitude—with spawning kicking in at 54–57°F in major river systems from the Savannah to the Hudson. They’ll disperse along the coast through summer, chasing cooler waters around 68°F, then reverse course each fall (below 65°F) following baitfish south toward their winter haunts off Virginia and North Carolina, though climate change has shifted these patterns considerably earlier in recent decades.

Surf Fishing Highlights

• Striped bass migration begins when water exceeds 45°F, with initial waves from late February through March peaking mid-March to late April.
• Spawning runs occur early April through early June at 54–57°F, with southern regions starting earliest and northern areas latest.
• Post-spawn summer migration moves north toward cooler waters around 68°F, following prey like menhaden and herring along the coast.
• Fall migration begins when temperatures drop below 65°F, with bass moving south and concentrating in deep offshore winter waters.
• Regional timing varies significantly: Savannah River spawns late March, Chesapeake Bay early April-May, Hudson River late April-May, Maine late May-June.

Spring Migration and Spawning Windows: March Through May

As water temperatures begin their steady climb from winter lows, striped bass shake off their cold-season lethargy and start one of the East Coast‘s most anticipated annual migrations.

You’ll see the first waves moving as early as late February through March, with peak activity hitting between mid-March and late April. The magic number? Water temps around 54–57°F trigger spawning behavior, though ideal activity occurs in the 55–68°F range. During this time, feeding frenzies often occur, where striped bass actively chase baitfish.

Here’s what makes timing tricky: migration windows can shift 1–3 weeks depending on weather patterns. Mild winters get fish moving earlier, while late cold snaps delay the party.

The main spawning runs span early April through early June, with each major river system—Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River, Delaware River—experiencing intense 2–4 week peaks. These powerful swimmers can cover up to 50 miles in a single day as they push toward their natal spawning grounds.

Southern populations spawn earlier than their northern cousins, and recent observations show climate shifts pushing everything forward by several days compared to historical norms. During spawning, females release eggs that require 48-72 hours in moving water for proper development, making current and flow conditions critical to recruitment success. Males typically reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years, while females take an additional year before participating in their first spawn.

What Triggers Striped Bass to Migrate? Temperature, Flow, and Environmental Cues

When striped bass decide it’s time to move, they’re not just winging it—they’re responding to a complex cocktail of environmental signals that trigger their legendary migrations up and down the coast.

Water temperature ranks as the primary driver. You’ll see migration kick off when temperatures climb above 45°F in winter grounds, with spawning commencing between 54–57°F. Climate change has accelerated this timing by 3–7 days per decade, pushing migrations 1–3 weeks earlier than historical patterns. This shift in timing is concerning, especially as striped bass are currently considered overfished, with a need for effective management to ensure their sustainability.

River flow plays a supporting role—high freshwater outflow delays migration, while low flow conditions advance upstream movement. Bass often hold in estuaries, conserving energy before tackling spawning rivers. In the San Francisco Bay-Delta system, striped bass migrate later in years with greater Delta outflow and cooler sea surface temperatures, demonstrating the combined influence of these environmental factors.

Prey availability—especially menhaden and herring concentrations—further shapes their journey, creating predictable congregation points along migration corridors. Research tracking Potomac River striped bass revealed that emigrants complete their summer transit to Massachusetts in an average of 47 days, with all tagged fish successfully reaching these northern feeding grounds.

Following the Seasons: Summer Dispersal, Fall Return, and Winter Concentration

Once spawning wraps up, striped bass don’t just hang around—they scatter along the coast in a seasonal dance that’s remarkably predictable.

Summer sees them pushing northward, chasing cooler coastal waters around 68°F and feasting on menhaden, herring, and sand eels. Bigger fish travel farthest, showing clear size-selective dispersal patterns.

Fall brings the southbound rush**, triggered when temperatures drop below 65°F (usually September through November). Bass follow baitfish south, creating those epic coastal gatherings anglers dream about. This is prime fishing time**—they’re actively feeding and preparing for winter’s lean months.

Winter forces concentration in deep offshore waters****, particularly off Virginia and North Carolina.

Here’s what happens:

1. Fish form dense schools in stable, warmer pockets below 50°F
2. Movement drops to near-zero as metabolism slows dramatically
3. Feeding fundamentally stops, forcing reliance on stored fat reserves

Not every bass follows this script, though. Some establish year-round residency in favorite estuaries, skipping migration entirely. Understanding their seasonal migrations can greatly enhance your fishing success.

Regional Differences in Migration Timing Across the Atlantic Coast

While this broad seasonal pattern holds true coast-wide, striped bass don’t read the same calendar from Georgia to Canada.

Spawning kicks off earliest in the South—Savannah River fish begin near the end of March, followed quickly by North Carolina’s Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound in early April.

The Chesapeake Bay (producing 70–90% of coastal migrants) sees spawning from early April to early May, with major outmigration peaking mid-May.

Hudson River stripers spawn later, late April to mid-May, then push toward Cape Cod between April 14th and May 2nd.

Maine estuaries won’t see arrivals until late May or June.

Way up north, New Brunswick’s Miramichi River doesn’t peak until mid-June—among the latest anywhere.

Southern populations tend to stay close to home year-round, while Chesapeake and Hudson fish undertake extensive migrations, rarely crossing into Canadian waters but dominating New England’s summer fishery. Seasonal changes in water temperature and day length trigger these precisely timed movements up and down the coast.

Decades of Change: How Climate Warming Has Shifted Migration Patterns

Since the 1990s, striped bass have been rewriting their migration playbook in response to a warming Atlantic.

You’ll now find these fish beginning their upstream spawning runs weeks earlier than historical records show, primarily because spring water temperatures—the key migration trigger—are arriving sooner each year.

The Chesapeake Bay and other southern estuaries have seen particularly dramatic shifts, with reduced freshwater outflow and higher water temperatures pushing fish northward.

Three major changes you should know:

1. Earlier departures: Spawning migrations now kick off at warmer average temperatures than they did 30 years ago.
2. Northern expansion: Striped bass increasingly favor cooler northern estuaries as southern habitats become less hospitable.
3. Prey mismatches: Warming has disrupted the timing of menhaden availability, creating feeding challenges during migration.

These shifts aren’t happening uniformly—you’ll notice migration patterns advancing in “fits and starts” rather than steady progressions, reflecting complex oceanographic changes.

The adaptability of striped bass to these rapid environmental changes remains a real mystery to fisheries experts, particularly as the species continues adjusting its spawning and migration timing. Research has revealed that striped bass favor cooler conditions during migration, which explains their seasonal preference for deeper waters and winter presence in Mid-Atlantic coastal regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do All Striped Bass Migrate or Do Some Stay Resident Year-Round?

Not all striped bass hit the road—some stay put year-round!

You’ll find both migratory and resident populations depending on location and age. Chesapeake Bay fish tend to migrate extensively along the coast, while others remain in estuaries and rivers through all seasons.

Once bass reach about 32 inches and sexual maturity, most join the migratory crowd.

Landlocked populations in reservoirs and some Pacific Coast fish stay resident permanently, showing you there’s real diversity in their movement patterns.

How Far Do Individual Striped Bass Travel During Their Annual Migrations?

Individual striped bass travel anywhere from mere miles to marathons of 400–600 miles annually, depending on their home river.

You’ll find Chesapeake Bay fish covering the longest distances—often 500+ miles from North Carolina to Maine—while Hudson River bass typically stick to shorter 200–300 mile routes between New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Larger, older females push the farthest, with some champions exceeding 800 miles.

Younger bass? They’re homebodies, expanding their range as they mature.

Can You Catch Striped Bass During Their Spawning Migration Period?

Yes, you can catch striped bass during their spawning migration, and they’re often quite aggressive.

Pre-spawn and post-spawn periods offer the best action, as hungry stripers actively feed while moving to and from spawning grounds.

However, check your state’s regulations first—many impose seasonal closures, slot limits, or catch-and-release requirements to protect spawning fish.

Target shallow waters near river mouths when temperatures hit 60–65°F, and you’ll find concentrated fish ready to strike.

How Does Fish Size Affect Whether a Striped Bass Will Migrate?

Think of size as the passport for a striped bass’s coastal journey.

You’ll find that fish over 32 inches (80 cm) become natural wanderers—at least half of them leave home estuaries like Chesapeake Bay to migrate.

Smaller bass typically stay put in their natal waters.

Why? Larger fish swim more efficiently, handle predators better, and need richer feeding grounds to fuel their bigger bodies.

Size literally determines whether they’ll roam or stay home.

What Time of Day Do Striped Bass Typically Migrate Upstream?

Striped bass typically migrate upstream during dawn and dusk, when low light conditions offer protection from predators and ideal foraging opportunities.

You’ll also see significant nocturnal movement, especially between 10 PM and 4 AM, when they exploit darkness for safer passage.

Rising tides trigger the most intense upstream runs, with peak activity occurring within two hours of incoming tidal currents.

Temperature plays a role too—warmer springs shift migration timing earlier in both morning and evening periods.

Conclusion

You’ve now got the roadmap to intercept striped bass as they follow their age-old coastal calendar. Think of these fish as commuters on a liquid highway—they’re remarkably punctual when conditions align. Whether you’re targeting spring spawners in the Chesapeake, fall blitzes off Montauk, or winter holdouts in Carolina sounds, timing isn’t everything—it’s the only thing. Watch your thermometer, check those currents, and you’ll connect.