The fall run begins in October as bass move south down the bay and out toward the ocean for winter. Trophy fish often hit lures in October-November as they fatten on bunker before migration. See migration calendar pages for striped bass timing across the entire range.
Inshore Migration Timing
When do striped bass arrive in the Chesapeake Bay?
Striped bass arrive in the Chesapeake Bay in early-to-mid spring (March-April) for the spawn run, with the largest pre-spawn fish typically arriving first. They stage at the mouths of major spawning rivers (Potomac, Susquehanna, Choptank) before moving upriver as water temperatures hit the 50-58°F range.
More from Inshore Migration Timing
- When do redfish school in the fall?
- When do flounder run in North Carolina?
- When do Spanish mackerel arrive in spring?
- When does cobia show up in the Chesapeake Bay?
- When do speckled trout move to grass flats in spring?
- When do bluefish arrive in the Northeast?
- Why do fish migrate and what triggers it?
- How does water temperature drive fish migration?
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