Striped Bass

Striped bass — also known as rockfish or stripers — has been one of the most sought-after commercial and recreational fish in the Chesapeake Bay since colonial times. After a steep population decline in the 1980s, Chesapeake Bay striped bass are now at their highest numbers in decades.

Striped Bass Are an Important Chesapeake Bay Predator

Striped bass are one of the top predators in the Chesapeake Bay food web. As a result, they must have enough prey — primarily menhaden and bay anchovies — available to them to keep their population healthy and the food web in balance. Strong fluctuations in the number of striped bass in the Bay could cause cascading changes throughout the rest of the food web.

Striped Bass Form Economically Valuable Chesapeake Bay Fisheries

Striped bass is the most important commercial and recreational fish species in the Chesapeake Bay. Its size, fighting ability and delicious taste makes rockfish one of the top sport fish in the Bay and on local restaurant menus.

Striped bass is so acclaimed in the Chesapeake Bay region that the Maryland General Assembly designated it the Maryland state fish in 1965, writing:

“Whereas, The people of Maryland as long time and appreciative residents of the productive Chesapeake Bay area know of it first hand the recreational and gastronomic delights of this wonderful land, and

Whereas, Not the least among the good reasons for living in Maryland is the abundant and unexcelled delicacy of the Chesapeake Bay striped bass or rockfish, and

Whereas, In the judgment of the members of the General Assembly of Maryland, it is a simple act of justice and of equity that this fine old Maryland fish should be honored by being designated as the official fish of the State of Maryland...”