Trolling for striped bass is the best tactic in many situations, particularly when searching for fish or when youre out to catch true trophy stripers, which tend to be solitary by nature. Striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake are highly mobile, often following schools of shad in open water. To use more than two hooks or two sets of hooks for each rod or line. Straddling the border between Virginia and North Carolina, Buggs Island Lake spans 48,900 acres at full pool, making it Virginias largest lake. 5770, ``FORAGE FISH CONSERVATION ACT OF 2021'' ===== LEGISLATIVE HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON . But this year, the spring season will be a bit diminished in the Chesapeake with a later start, and fewer days, that has been the case in the past. During a chartered fishing trip, the captain or mate would not be permitted to land or possess striped bass for personal consumption. May 1st through May 15th "trophy season" 35 inches and over. Photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Severn River and Severn Run from the Route 3 Bridge downstream for 2,400 feet. Its worth noting that legal fishing seasons for striped bass are a bit complicated. Questions or Comments? Trolling is effective along the river channel, across creek mouths, and over submerged points and humps. They are more closely akin to white bass and yellow bass but are often much bigger than their nearest relatives. Read the press release. Youghiogheny River Lake Seasons, Sizes & Limits, Recreational Crabbing Licenses & Crab Pot Registration. The 2021 summer-fall season in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries will be open May 16 through July 15, and resume August 1 through Dec. 10. [House Hearing, 117 Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] H.R. The 2023 regulations are unchanged from 2022 and are generally described below. Spawning Habits Each spring anadromous stripers move from the ocean and Chesapeake Bay to spawn in freshwater reaches of tidal rivers. Striped bass are second in popularity only to largemouth bass here. Heading out on the Chesapeake Bay for trophy rockfish season is a treasured rite of spring for recreational anglers. Required fields are marked *. May 1 through May 15: Anglers may catch one striped bass per day, with a minimum size of 35 inches, in the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Virginia state line. For additional details related to fishing for striped bass in Maryland including the Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River, Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Bays and their tributaries please visit the DNR regulations guide. While no additional changes are anticipated for the 2022 season, changes will likely be proposed by ASMFC for the 2023 season. The 2022 summer-fall season in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries will be open May 16 through July 15, All areas will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31, and reopen August 1 through December 10. Jigs may also be tipped with live bait. CLOSED May 16-June 30. There are usually fish around the bridge-tunnel in just about every season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces new regulations for the Chesapeake Bay summer-fall striped bass season. STRIPED BASS REGULATIONS MAPS 2023 The rules in the following maps have been approved. At present, there is no free public launch on the lake. Live baitfish are also great for surf and pier fishing. All areas closed to striped bass fishing. Also worth checking out are the drop-offs southwest of Point Lookout and north of Vir-Mar Beach. Fish that fall under the slot limit provide a healthy juvenile population to grow to breeder size. Anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum size of 19 inches. Get your Saltwater Fishing License Online! Read Chesapeake Bay fishing reports from March 2023. Anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, especially among larger stripers, in summer due to high mortality during hot weather. Surf fishing is also a great way for anglers to catch quality stripers. Nick Honachefsky Umbrella rigs have multiple blades to mimic a baitfish ball and are very popular for trolling on the Chesapeake Bay. Thats when most of them make their way back down the bay and head farther north along their migration route. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County. | Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force All areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, except the Potomac River, will be closed to striped bass targeting from April 1 to May 1. On average, adult striped bass grow 2 to 3 feet in length and weigh between 10 to 30 pounds, although they can reach a length of six feet and weigh as much as 125 pounds. The minimum size limit shall be 20 inches total length. Maryland has coordinated with the ASMFC to develop regulations in compliance with its coastwide fishery management plan. We're available on the following channels. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the following regulations for the 2022 recreational striped bass fishery (private and charter) in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. A few good bank fishing spots are available in Newport News, includingMonitor-Merrimac Overlook Parkand theKing-Lincoln Park Pier. Data collected by the department determined that the. Striper Fishing Striped bass are the number-one target when it comes to Chesapeake Bay fishing, and it's no wonder why striper fishing is so amazingly popular: stripers bite willingly, fight hard, and taste great. The following are abridged summaries of Maryland fisheries rules, they donot include all regulated species. This includes dead discards, which are fish that die after being caught and returned to the water. National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. No more than 6 lines may be employed while trolling regardless of the number of anglers on board. Chesapeake Bay from the Brewerton Channel to the Virginia line including Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. Capable of exceeding 50 pounds, stripers are anadromous by nature, meaning they live most of their lives in saltwater, but return every year to the freshwater streams where they were born. Fisheries biologists survey and tag striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay as part of an annual survey of the population. Think of following the channel as a way to lead yourself to good fishing spots, not necessarily as a spot in and of itself. Occoneechee State Parkprovides boat ramps, bank access and camping. Key areas include the barrier islands that form the Virginia and Maryland coast north of the Chesapeake Bay (of these, only Assateague Island is accessible from land) and the area of coastal Virginia south of the bay, which includes Virginia Beach. ], Copyright 1996-2022 You can get it for $20 at the supermarket. Only one of those two fish may be greater than 28 inches. Recent surveys have shown that 19- to 20-inch stripers are most common, and some fish grow to 10 pounds. Channel edges leading to the river provide a perfect striper highway, and theyre prime areas for trolling. Casting soft jerkbaits and plugs is most effective during the cooler months while trolling with plugs and umbrella rigs is a better approach in summer. What is the Difference Between Law and Regulation. Lake Anna is accessible throughLake Anna State Parkand via several privately owned marinas and campgrounds. (757) 385-7575 [Website PeachjarMedication For. Non-offset circle or J hooks with less than inch gap are required when using bait. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announcedthe following regulations for the 2022 recreational striped bass fishery (private and charter) in the Chesapeake Bay. Some striped bass inhabit the Chesapeake Bay year-round, so there is no season when anglers cannot catch rockfish in Virginia. So, be sure to check the regulations for the area you'll be fishing in- Maryland's regulations are not always the same as Virginia's regulations. Boat ramps and marinas are located nearby in Little Creek Cove. Fishing can be better in coves and creeks during the cooler months. More importantly, the bridge pilings and rock islands that support the bridge provide ideal rockfish habitat. Striped Bass Fishing Seasons in Virginia Striped bass fishing season runs from October 4th until March 31st and then from May 1st to June 15th. COP. Fishing Data collected by the department determined that thewater qualityandair temperaturesin late July are more harmful to striped bass, increasing risk of catch-and-release mortality, when compared to other times of the year. Chesapeake Bay downstream from a line drawn from the south corner of Hart-Miller Island Dike to the end of MD Route 21 at Tolchester and south to the MD/VA line, excluding all bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers. Anglers no longer need a recreational permit to target cobia in Virginia waters. Data collected by the department determined that the water quality and air temperatures in late July are more harmful to striped bass, increasing risk of catch-and-release mortality, when compared to other times of the year, Call toll-free in *Maryland* at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367) The minimum size is 40" total length with one allowed on a vessel >50" total length. Consult the, Maryland Statutes are available for viewing from the. Fishing then starts for parts of the open Bay, but there are still significant areas of no fishing and/or only catch and release. Declining stocks, attributed to overfishing and pollution, forced Maryland to impose a moratorium on harvesting the species between 1985 and 1989. Visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/sb_reg_maps.aspx to view maps of striped bass regulations. There is also a great area known as The Triangle just outside the mouth of the Potomac River, which is littered with bottom structure. Copyright Maryland.gov. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries fall striped bass recreational fishery shall be October 4 through December 31, inclusive. Copyright Maryland.gov. ANNAPOLIS, Md. Most of the action revolves around the Chesapeake Bay, which along with its various tributaries, forms a vast estuary that is a top breeding ground for Atlantic stripers. Seasons vary between coastal waters and Chesapeake Bay waters, and also within the bay, depending on which side of the Virginia/Maryland state line youre on (though the two states do have a reciprocal license agreement). The 2022 striped bass regulations are unchanged from 2021 and are generally described below. Hebrew. data-event-category="Navigation header guest" . Virginia Beach, in particular, is a striper hot spot in December and January and offers a public pier, fishing jetties, and several miles of publicly accessible beach. The 2018 benchmark stock assessment for striped bass indicated declines, so the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has determined that conservation measures are needed to reduce the amount of striped bass being removed. We encourage voluntary cobia reporting (especially release data) using the Virginia Saltwater Journal (www.vasaltwaterjournal.com) to help assist with stock assessment data. The basic rig is a 30- to 40-pound test fluorocarbon leader ending in a size 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook or octopus hook. May 1 through May 15: Anglers may catch one striped bass per day, with a minimum size of 35 inches, in the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Virginia state line. The current Maryland record for rockfish caught in Chesapeake Bay weighed in at 67 pounds, 8 ounces in 1995. The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services. Anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum size of 19 inches. This includes dead discards, which are fish that die after being caught and returned to the water. Counting fish is. Spring Trophy Season: Carolina. Copyright 2023 sbynews Powered by sbynews. can be difficult to differentiate, please visit this link to learn more on how The 2022 regulations are unchanged from 2021 and are generally described below. To take or shoot striped bass with a spear gun and spear in the tidal waters of the state. During a chartered fishing trip, the captain or mate would not be permitted to land or possess striped bass for personal consumption. Use the web link to the left to obtain your free permit. Access to the lake is available atSmith Mountain Lake State Park, as well as numerous public boat ramps and privately owned marinas. Only one of those two fish may be greater than 28 inches. All rights reserved. The Commission voted to terminate Recreational Cobia Mandatory Reporting Program (RCMRP) at the Tuesday, February 28th Commission meeting. Casting topwaters and spoons into the melee can be great fun when conditions are right. Striped bass may not be caught, harassed or possessed in the Exclusive Economic Zone, which stretches from 3200 miles off the coast. Instead of two fish, anglers can now only keep one. Magothy River from Lake Waterford dam downstream for 3,300 feet.2. This includes dead discards, which are fish that die after being caught and returned to the water. Required fields are marked *. The printed version of COMAR is the official and enforceable text. The 2021 summer-fall season in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries will be open May 16 through July 15, and resume August 1 through Dec. 10. DelMarVas Premier Source for Conservative News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest, Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349, The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers. What to do about a stranded All areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, except the Potomac River, will be closed to striped bass targeting from April 1 to May 1. Fisheries biologists survey and tag striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay as part of an annual survey of the population. Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks when live-lining or chumming; Anglers must use circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait and targeting striped bass, or when using processed bait and targeting striped bass. The rules in the following maps have been approved. The best time to catch spring stripers in the Chesapeake Bay is mid-May through mid-June, when the fish have finished spawning. *Summer-Fall Season: Regulations for anadromous (coastal) striped bass, alewife and blueback herring above and below the fall line, in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay; and anadromous (coastal) American shad and hickory shad, and all other saltwater fish below the fall line, in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, are set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Saltwater Recreational The Potomac River, the bays largest tributary, is managed separately by thePotomac River Fisheries Commission. 2018 benchmark stock assessment for striped bass. In the Chesapeake, fishermen often call striped bass "rockfish" because these fish often hang out near oyster reef "rocks.". marine animal? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All of the above are great for fishing for stripers around bridges and rock islands. Otherwise, the 2023 recreational regulations remain the same: season open June 15-September 15; 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit; and a prohibition on gaffing. The 2018 benchmark stock assessment for striped bass indicated declines, so the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has determined that conservation measures are needed to reduce the amount of striped bass being removed. To possess any cut up or filleted striped bass at any time aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland. You can learn more about artificial reefs and their locationshere. The 2022 striped bass regulations are on the DNR website. Maryland Anglers deploy various techniques to catch striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay at different times and situations. Complete Guide to Striped Bass (Rockfish) Fishing in Virginia, one of the best catfishing spots in Virginia, catching stripers in the surf by a longtime angler, second in popularity only to largemouth bass here, the best crappie fishing water youll find in Virginia. Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks when live-lining or chumming; Anglers must use circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait and targeting striped bass, or when using processed baits and targeting striped bass. Please enable scripts and reload this page. To use eels as bait while fishing for striped bass with hook and line from Dec. 16May 15, inclusive, in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Every striper that enters or exits the bay must pass under it. The 2022 summer-fall season in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries will be open May 16 through July 15, All areas will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31, and reopen August 1 through December 10. C. The maximum size limit shall be 36 inches total length. Anglers no longer need a recreational permit to target cobia in Virginia waters. During the closure period from July 16 through July 31, anglers will be prohibited from targeting striped bass, which includes catch-and-release and charter boats. Your email address will not be published. The two jetties on either side of the Little Creek Inlet provide great opportunities for shore-bound anglers to get in on the striper action. Chesapeake Bay Seasons, Sizes & Limits, Jan 1Aug 31, except open year round for spears and baited traps or pots, 12 inchesJune 16 through last day in February, Shore or Private Boat: Daily3For-Hire Boat: Daily5, 1 cobia per person per day; or up to 2 cobia per vessel per day if there are 2 or more individuals on the vessel, Snapper Species (includes many species, please see list), Snapper specieswww.dsd.state.md.us/comar/getfile.aspx?file=08.02.05.29.htm. Places to catch rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay are too numerous to list, but suffice it to say that there are plenty of opportunities for bank and boat anglers alike. B. April 1 through April 30: Anglers are prohibited from targeting striped bass, which includes catch-and-release. Look for places where the main shipping channel intersects with other structures, like creek mouths, reefs or bridges. You may spot the circling gulls and surface commotion that give away stripers blitzing baitfish. Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licensing Agents. Stripers show excellent growth through their first three years but tend to slow after they reach about 20 inches, perhaps due to a lack of suitable habitat. The summer striped bass season started on May 16, and the entire mainstem Bay, all the way to the Conowingo Dam, opened June 1. Summaries of Various Fishing Laws Freshwater Seasons, Minimum Sizes, Daily Creel and Possession Limits Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries Seasons, Sizes and Possession Limits Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays Seasons, Sizes and Possession Limits Maryland Statutes are available for viewing from the Maryland General Assembly Website That being said, most anglers focus on the spring and fall seasons, when stripers are either on their way into or out of the bay. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support. Also, try fishing around the James River Reserve Fleet (sometimes referred to as the Mothball Fleet). Striped bass must be landed whole. See what fish are biting now in Chesapeake Bay and find out where to catch them. No more than six lines per boat are allowed when trolling. Landlocked stripers migrate up tributary rivers of larger reservoirs to spawn, often just below dams or upstream obstructions. Spawning rivers and the Upper Bay spawning area are off limits until June 1 to striped bass fishing. Buggs Island Lake is also known as Kerr Reservoir, and stripers have been stocked here for quite some time. May 16 through July 15, and resume August 1 through Dec. 10: Anglers would be able to keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum size of 19 inches. Black Knobbed Map Turtle. When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News. The management measures are: a season of June 15-September 15; a 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit; and a prohibition on gaffing. to properly identify the species of sharks). During a chartered fishing trip, the captain or mate would not be permitted to . Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks when live-lining or chumming; Anglers must use non-offset circle hooks when using fish, crabs or worms as bait and targeting striped bass, or when using processed baits and targeting striped bass. Jigging spoons, including Diamond Jigs and Stingsilver Jigs, are excellent too. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that recreational striped bass regulations for the 2022 Chesapeake Bay summer-fall season will remain the same as last year. Must be landed with head and fins intact. Marine Police Dispatch Center toll free at (800) 541-4646 410.216.9309 This distinct-looking fish, with its large, gaping bucket of a mouth and brilliant stripes, is the official state fish of Maryland and the state saltwater fish of Virginia. Out of State: 410-260-8DNR (8367), For more information on human trafficking in Maryland click. Attempting to catch striped bass is illegal during this time period. marine animal? The Highway 301 Bridge offers some good fishing opportunities. In spring and fall, many anglers troll around the bays bridge spans and tunnels. [emailprotected] 612 Third Street, Suite 3C Audit Checklist. Stripers and other game fish use these structures at various times. The Chesapeake Bay is Americas largest estuary, supporting a wealth of fishing opportunities. Top spots for stripers in the tidal James River include the James River Bridge and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. All rights reserved. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces the following regulations for the 2023 recreational striped bass fishery (private and charter) in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Striped bass spend their winters in warm, southern waters but move up the coast into the Chesapeake Bay as temperatures rise in spring. Striped bass tagged in the Chesapeake Bay have been caught in Canadian waters. Recreational Shellfishing & Non-Hook & Line Fishing. Common baitfish include spot, menhaden (or bunker), and eels. Some stripers winter in the bay, but most continue southward. Spots and menhaden are best hooked through the nose or jaw, while eels can be hooked through the tail to prevent them from balling up and tangling your line. There is, however, a lot to learn for any novice angler. Some of the best approaches include: Fishing for stripers with live bait is one of the simplest methods and also one of the most effective and widely used. Saltwater Recreational Finfish Landings Statistics from NMFS. Quick fishing below port royal outdoors, rappahannock river shad fishing report very good fishing trip to. Every spring, they stage a spawning run from the upper end of the reservoir into the Staunton and Dan rivers. May 1 through May 15: Anglers may keep one striped bass per day, with a minimum size of 35 inches, in the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Virginia state line. Tautog. Many anglers also troll with live baits, including bunker and eels. By late fall, theyll be rejoined by larger stripers on their way back southward from their summer haunts in New England. Pack packs of stripers also commonly break off and feed on shallower flats and weed beds adjacent to the main shipping channel. This includes dead discards, which are fish that die after being caught and returned to the water. During the closure period from July 16 through July 31, anglers will be prohibited from targeting striped bass, which includes catch-and-release and charter boats. Trolling also allows anglers to run multiple baits and lures at a range of depths. The spring striper run brings striped bass quite a ways up the James River, and many quality fish are caught as far upriver as the I-95 bridge in Richmond in May. In some cases, larger stripers will suspend below smaller schoolies that feed on the surface, and this is another situation in which jigging can be a great choice to target bigger fish. Striped bass commonly pursue schools of menhaden along the channel in the fall, and bigger stripers often suspend within 20 feet of the surface, with smaller schoolies feeding above them. Stripers follow the shipping channels in and out of the Chesapeake Bay, and anglers who do the same are successful more often than not. January 1-May 15: Daily4 July 1-October 31 . most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, 2018 benchmark stock assessment for striped bass, Rear Adm. John Lemmon Presents Veronica Johnson With Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, A Taste of Jamaica Brought To Southern Maryland, Suspect Arrested In Waldorf After Fleeing From Police In Stolen Vehicle, Drugs And Gun Located, Hyundai, Kia Owners Urged To Get Free Updates Following TikTok Challenge Thefts, Homicide Unit Investigates Fatal Shooting Of 17-Year-Old In Upper Marlboro, CSM Partnership Meets St. Marys Nursing Center Workforce Needs, PAX Journalism Special: Capping Off Black History Month, Calvert County Sheriffs Office Newest Member Of The Paw Patrol Visits Local Schools, Mechanicsville VFD Vehicle Involved In Motor Vehicle Accident In Charlotte Hall, St. Marys College Of Maryland Receives $1,000,000 Appropriation For Aquatic Lab Renovation, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Striped Bass (Rockfish) Striped bass, also called rockfish, are an iconic sport fish of the Chesapeake Bay. New Jersey Striper Fishing Report Post-spawn stripers are moving along the oceanfront and they are hungry. Between April 18 and May 15, anglers can keep one rockfish per day if it measures (a) between 28 and 36 inches in length or (b) over 40 inches. The 2022 summer-fall season in most areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries will be open May 16 through July 15, All areas will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31, and reopen August 1 through December 10. Rappahannock River Shad Fishing Report . To maximize summer flounder survivability, use a 3/0 or larger hook and be prepared to release undersized fish (pliers, wet rag, and a ruler). Anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum size of 19 inches. In early spring, the Chesapeake Bay is catch and release with certain areas strictly closed to all fishing where the striped bass spawn, as to not interrupt the process. Maryland has coordinated with the ASMFC to develop regulations in compliance with its coastwide fishery management plan. February 28, 2023: The Commission voted to terminate Recreational Cobia Mandatory Reporting Program (RCMRP) at the Tuesday, February 28th Commission meeting. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission oversees a long-running artificial reef program in the Chesapeake Bay, which has created a lot of prime fish habitat in various areas throughout Virginias part of the bay. Our striped bass charters are usually action packed, so bring your friends and experience a great day striper fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. Areas Closed to FishingFeb, March and April: 1. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Regulations Issued For 2022 Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Fishing. In general, the best striper fishing is below the I-295 Bridge, especially when the waters cool in December. November 8, 2022 An updated estimate of the striped bass population along the Atlantic Coast shows improvements in striped bass numbers, but fishery managers remain cautions. Rockfish Season is closed July 16, 2023 - July 31, 2023. In an attempt to reduce the fishing mortality and end overfishing, managers implemented more restrictive fishing regulations coast-wide in 2020. 18 inch minimum size; 2 fish per person per dayonly one of those fish may be larger than 30 inches, Susquehanna Flats, Lower Susquehanna River and Northeast River, Susquehanna Flats, upstream of a line from Sandy Point to Turkey Point and the Susquehanna River downstream from a line connecting the Susquehanna State Park boat ramp at Lapidum to Twin Rocks to Tomes Wharf in Port Deposit; and the Northeast River, Susquehanna Flats closed to striped bass fishing, Susquehanna Flats reopen to striped bass fishing, 1 fish per person per day between 1926 inches, Susquehanna Flats and all Bay waters including tributaries open to striped bass fishing, 1 fish per person per dayMinimum Size 19 inches, Atlantic Ocean, COASTAL BAYS and THEIR TRIBUTARIES. The Chesapeake Bay Fall Striped Bass season opens Oct. 4 at ends at midnight Dec. 31. SoMDC covers every aspect of the SoMD Region and will continue to grow with the community.