Striped Bass
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are Rhode Island's official state fish and one of the most prized gamefish in the region. These anadromous fish are native to the Atlantic coast and thrive in Rhode Island's diverse marine environments.
Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis
- Adult stripers typically range 20-40 pounds and 20-35 inches, though fish over 50 inches are caught annually in Rhode Island waters.
Fishing in Rhode Island
Taunton River
Blackstone River
Narragansett Bay
Pawcatuck River
Lake Quinsigamond
Rhode Island Sound
Wachusett Reservoir
Charles River
Sakonnet River
Clear River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They inhabit the entire Rhode Island coast from Watch Hill to Little Compton, with prime areas including Narragansett Bay (split into East and West Bays), the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, salt ponds like Ninigret and Point Judith, the Sakonnet River, and ocean beaches.
Key Locations
- Spring hot spots include the Providence River system from the Hurricane Barrier to Pawtucket, India Point Park, Conimicut Point, Colt State Park, Greenwich Cove, Salt Pond, and Narrow River.
- Summer fishing excels at Block Island's Southwest Ledge, around Newport, Watch Hill, and Cape Cod Canal.
Specific Spots
- They're found around rocky structure, channel edges, jetties like the Charlestown Breachway, and areas with moving water that concentrates bait.
Striped Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Striped Bass in Rhode Island?
Live menhaden and eels are prime baits, with soft plastics like white paddle tails and bucktail jigs effective year-round. Tube and worm rigs, umbrella frames with sand eel tubes, parachute jigs for squid-feeding fish, swimming plugs, and topwater poppers. Live or chunked Atlantic menhaden are deadly for trophy fish.
What flies work for Striped Bass in Rhode Island?
Essential fly patterns include Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, sand eel imitations, and Ray's Fly - a New England staple with yellow/olive bucktail and peacock herl. Surf Candies work for bay anchovies and silversides, while larger patterns like Two Tone Brushies target bigger fish.
When is the best time to fish for Striped Bass in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island striped bass fishing is productive May through November, with peak action from Memorial Day through September. Early season (April-May) brings small pre-spawners to Matunuck and estuarine waters, with keeper-sized fish arriving by late May.
How do you catch Striped Bass in Rhode Island?
Use tube and worm rigs, umbrella frames with sand eel tubes, parachute jigs for squid-feeding fish, swimming plugs, and topwater poppers. Night fishing with eels produces trophy bass.
What do Striped Bass eat?
They're opportunistic predators with an eclectic diet including Atlantic menhaden (their primary food), sand eels, Atlantic herring, silversides, bay anchovies, squid, crabs, marine worms, butterfish, and various small baitfish.
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