Morone saxatilis
Striped bass are powerful, migratory fish found in the Maritimes — a prized sport fish that fights hard and grows large. The Miramichi River in New Brunswick has a thriving striper fishery, and Nova S...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / NOAA
Striped bass are powerful, migratory fish found in the Maritimes — a prized sport fish that fights hard and grows large. The Miramichi River in New Brunswick has a thriving striper fishery, and Nova Scotia and PEI both have growing striper populations. They're aggressive eaters that school and herd baitfish.
Silvery body with 6–8 distinct dark horizontal stripes running from gills to tail (the key feature). Two separate dorsal fins (first spiny, second soft). Large mouth with a protruding lower jaw. Brassy or olive back, white belly. Streamlined, torpedo-shaped body built for speed.
Striped bass are anadromous in the Maritimes — they live in saltwater/brackish water and run up rivers to spawn. They're found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Northumberland Strait, and larger Maritime rivers. They prefer water temperatures of 14–24°C and school around structure, current, and baitfish concentrations.
Striped Bass can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Prince Edward Island.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching Striped Bass. Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🌊 River (spawning run) | Soft plastic jerkbaits (white, chartreuse), swimbaits, topwater poppers | Stripers run up rivers in spring/early summer. Cast swimbaits and jerkbaits through pools and current seams. |
| 🚤 Estuary / Saltwater | Bucktail jigs, swimbaits, cut bait (mackerel, herring) | In estuaries, troll or cast jigs and swimbaits around structure. Cut bait on the bottom also works. |
| ☁️ Overcast / Low light | Topwater poppers, walking baits, large swimbaits | Stripers feed aggressively on the surface in low light — topwater action can be spectacular. |
| 🌬️ Windy | Bucktail jigs, swimbaits fished near structure | Wind pushes baitfish onto windblown points — stripers stack up to feed. |
| 🌙 Night | Large swimbaits, topwater plugs, cut bait on the bottom | Big stripers feed heavily at night. Fish large baits near structure and current. |
Striped bass are most accessible in the Maritimes from May–September. River spawning runs peak May–June. Summer fishing in estuaries and Northumberland Strait is excellent. Fall (September–October) sees fish feeding heavily before migrating out.
Get a 7-day Striped Bass bite forecast, offline regulations for every province, and AI-powered fishing advice — all in one app. Free for the 2026 season.