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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Connecticut's most important inshore predator and sport fish, native to the Atlantic Coast and seasonally abundant throughout the state's waters. These anadromous fish are found along Connecticut's entire coastline and in all large tidal rivers.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Also known as stripers

Physical Characteristics:
  • Typically measuring 16-36 inches with the state record at 81.88 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found along Connecticut's entire coastline and in all large tidal rivers.
  • They prefer rocky reefs and shoals of coastal waters and estuaries but range many miles up larger coastal rivers searching for food.
  • Most stripers migrate south during winter, though some overwinter in Connecticut, particularly in the Thames River.

Key Locations

  • Eaton's Neck triangle (buoys 28C, 11B, and the Obstruction buoy), Stratford Shoals, Charles Island, Calf Pasture Beach (Norwalk), Mill Pond (Westport), Black Rock, Pleasure Beach, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Connecticut River mouth, Thames River.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on structure like boulder fields, drop-offs, and current breaks.
  • Target rocky reefs, tidal river mouths, harbor outflows.
  • Summer fish often hold in deeper channels during day, moving shallow at night.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Striped Bass in Connecticut?

Tube-and-worm rigs, topwater plugs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, live bait (eels, bunker, herring).

What flies work for Striped Bass in Connecticut?

Flatwings (particularly effective on dead drift), Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, squid patterns like Red Can Squid and EP Flex Calamari, small sand eel patterns, larger bunker patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Striped Bass in Connecticut?

Connecticut's striped bass season runs year-round with no closed season. Peak fishing occurs May through November, with spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) providing the best action.

How do you catch Striped Bass in Connecticut?

Night fishing for summer months, midday trolling with tube-and-worm rigs, dawn/dusk topwater fishing, dead drift with flatwings, match the hatch approach.

What do Striped Bass eat?

Their diet is remarkably diverse, including over 65 fish species and 45+ invertebrates. Primary forage includes Atlantic menhaden (bunker), herring, alewives, sand eels, silversides, bay anchovies, squid, crabs, marine worms, and eels.

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