Guide To Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper Fishing In New Jersey

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers. Landlocked stripers then populate the lakes.

New Jersey is renowned for its excellent striped bass fishing, with anglers flocking to the state's waters to target these prized fish. Striped bass, also known as stripers, are highly sought after for their hard-hitting strikes, powerful fights, and delicious flesh.

In addition to the native striped bass population, New Jersey also offers opportunities to catch hybrid stripers. Hybrid stripers are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass, resulting in a fish with a combination of desirable traits from both species. These hybrids possess the strength and fighting spirit of striped bass, along with the adaptability to different water conditions from white bass. They are often stocked in several lakes and reservoirs across the state to enhance fishing opportunities.

Several major lakes in New Jersey are known for their striped bass and hybrid striper populations. One such lake is Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest lake, which has a reputation for producing trophy-sized striped bass. Other notable lakes for striped bass fishing include Greenwood Lake, Merrill Creek Reservoir, and Round Valley Reservoir. These lakes offer excellent habitat and forage for the fish, resulting in robust populations and exciting fishing opportunities.

New Jersey has a history of impressive striped bass catches, and the state records for both striped bass and hybrid stripers reflect the trophy potential. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the state record for striped bass in New Jersey stands at over 78 pounds, an extraordinary catch that showcases the trophy-sized fish that roam the state's waters. The state record for hybrid striped bass is around 23 pounds, highlighting the size potential of these crossbred fish.

Anglers targeting striped bass in New Jersey often employ various techniques such as trolling, casting lures, or live bait fishing. The best seasons for striped bass fishing in the state typically occur in the spring and fall when the fish are more active and migrating along the coast or into rivers and estuaries for spawning or foraging.

New Jersey's striped bass fishery provides thrilling angling opportunities and the chance to catch trophy-sized fish. Whether targeting native striped bass or hybrid stripers, anglers can enjoy the challenge and excitement that comes with pursuing these popular gamefish in the state's lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and coastal waters.

Striped Bass Lakes

The Delaware River, Lake Hopatcong, Manasquan Reservoir and Spruce Run Reservoir are great places to look for inland striped bass and hybrid stripers. The costal waters and tributaries feeding into them also contain striped bass.

Click the images and links above for species details.

New Jersey State Record Striped Bass

The state record striped bass was caught from the Great Egg Harbor River.

The state record hybrid striped bass came from Culvers Lake.

Fishing for Stripers in New Jersey

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check New Jersey fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill try large topwater baits if you see any surface feeding action. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Striper Fishing Video

Learn the basics for catching striped bass.

Striped bass fishing information, by state.