Striped Bass Program Spawning Stock Surveys

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac and Upper Bay

The Striped Bass Program is currently conducting our spawning stock surveys on the Potomac and Upper Bay. We�re still seeing stripers on the spawning areas which is good news for the opening of the trophy season this weekend. The first picture shows a 40� blue catfish we caught on the Potomac last week that we estimate weighed between 60-70 pounds. The next two photos show a couple of the striped bass we�ve caught on the Upper Bay this year. The one with two of us holding it is a 47� female we caught a couple weeks ago.

While you�re out fishing this weekend, keep an eye out for fish with pink USFWS tags. We tag fish on the spawning grounds as part of a coastwide tagging program and it�s an important component of the coastal stock assessment. We�ll also be out at public boat ramps and charter docks interviewing anglers about their trips as part of our recreational fishing survey. Even if we don�t bump into you, you can help our project by submitting length data on the fish you catch at our volunteer angler survey webpage. We can�t be out there measuring every fish caught so we rely on participating anglers to help us provide information to ASMFC to manage the fishery for future enjoyment.

Good luck this weekend!