Striped Bass Have Arrived Off Ocean City

Type: Ocean
Region: Eastern
Location: Ocean City

Happy New Year to All Maryland Anglers! We have received reports of good fishing for striped bass (rockfish) in the legal ocean waters off Ocean City, north and northeast of the inlet, and also at Little Gull shoals south of the inlet. Most anglers are either trolling or jigging with artificial lures. Dave Weller from Ocean City, MD reported that he had a great day to start the New Year, and lots of boats enjoying the run of big rockfish off the coast. He said "Most of, if not all are huge and I�m sure headed for the Chesapeake to eat along way and get ready to spawn..all fish released safely. We took pics of one kept, rest in water."

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Anglers must stay within 3 miles of the beach (in state waters) when fishing for striped bass off Ocean City. Fishing more than 3 miles off the beach in federal waters (EEZ) is illegal. Anglers may keep one striped bass per person per day from the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, and their tributaries (NOT in Chesapeake Bay). The striped bass must be at least 28 inches and less than 35 inches in length.

Maryland DNR public notice link to ocean striped bass regulations:
dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Public_Notices/PubNotStripedBass_CoastalRec_Effective1-1-2023.pdf