Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Also called: Striper, Rockfish, Linesider, Schoolie, Pimpfish
Identification
Silvery, full-bodied fish with several dark lateral stripes running from the gills to the base of the tail; large mouth and stiff spines on the gill cover and fins.
Habitat
Freshwater reservoirs and tidal rivers; at sea, CT's most sought-after coastal sport fish, May-October.
Behavior
Highly migratory; schools and ambushes forage like herring, crabs, and menhaden.
How to Catch
Troll or cast with live eels, chunk bait, spoons, and swimmers; circle hooks are required when fishing with bait.
Notes
The world record striped bass was caught in Connecticut waters (81.88 lb).
Where to find Striped Bass in CT
- Barn Island Wildlife Management Area Stonington
- Bluff Point Coastal Reserve Groton
- Calf Pasture Beach Norwalk
- Compo Beach Westport
- Connecticut River — Hartford/Middle Haddam Hartford / Haddam
- Griswold Point Old Saybrook
- Gulf Beach Milford
- Hammonasset Beach State Park Madison
- Harkness Memorial State Park Waterford
- Housatonic River Salisbury
- Lighthouse Point Park New Haven
- Lighthouse Point Park New Haven
- New Haven Harbor — Long Wharf New Haven
- Niantic River — Smith Cove East Lyme
- Ocean Beach Park New London
- Penfield Reef Fairfield
- Penfield Reef Fairfield
- Pine Island Causeway Groton
- Quinnipiac River North Haven / New Haven
- Rocky Neck State Park East Lyme
- Savin Rock West Haven
- Seaside Park Bridgeport
- Sherwood Island State Park Westport
- Shetucket River Norwich / Baltic