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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped Bass are native to Pennsylvania's Atlantic slope rivers and are anadromous fish. Pennsylvania also maintains landlocked striped bass populations in reservoirs through fingerling stocking programs.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Physical Characteristics:
  • In Pennsylvania's tidal waters, a 28-inch striped bass averages 9 years old and weighs 7.4 pounds.
  • Adult striped bass in Pennsylvania waters typically range from 20-40 inches and 3-20 pounds.
  • They have distinctive horizontal dark stripes running from behind the gills to the tail base.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Pennsylvania's Atlantic slope rivers, specifically the Delaware River and Susquehanna River drainages.
  • These anadromous fish typically spawn in spring at water temperatures of 59-64°F in tidal freshwater segments of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
  • The Delaware River is tidal for 55 miles from the state line upriver beyond Philadelphia to Morrisville, while the Schuylkill is tidal for 9 miles to Fairmont Dam.

Key Locations

  • Prime locations include Delaware River above Philadelphia, Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, Raystown Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, and Beltzville Lake.
  • Raystown Lake being the largest stocked water.
  • Other stocked waters include Beltzville Lake and Lake Wallenpaupack.

Specific Spots

  • Target rocky points, riprap banks, channel edges, drop-offs, and submerged structures.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Popular baits include live alewife, bloodworms, live herring, chicken liver, and large live baits like trout. Effective artificials include minnow-shaped crankbaits, jigs, Rapala stick baits, swimbaits, bucktails, and topwater baits.

What flies work for Striped Bass in Pennsylvania?

For fly fishing, try Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, Surf Candy, Glass Minnows, and Ray's Fly patterns.

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

Peak striped bass fishing occurs in spring (April-June) when fish migrate into rivers for spawning, and fall (September-November). Avoid fishing during April-May spawning season in tidal Delaware River due to closures. Surface water temperatures of 60-65°F mark prime fishing conditions in spring.

How do you catch Striped Bass in Pennsylvania?

Early spring focuses on warmer shallow water near banks until surface temps reach 60-65°F, then fish move to open water requiring trolling tactics. Spring offers excellent night fishing with plugs. When trolling in summer, use heavier 20-lb fluorocarbon line.

What do Striped Bass eat?

These fish are opportunistic predators feeding on over 65 fish species and 45+ invertebrate species. Their primary forage in Pennsylvania includes Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic herring, American eels, sand eels, anchovies, alewives, white perch, and various crustaceans.

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