They now are found from northern Baja California to Barkley Sound, British Columbia. In California, they most commonly are found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, San Francisco Bay and adjacent ocean areas. Females usually mature at 5 years of age when about 24 inches long and many males mature at age 2 when about 11 inches long. A 75 pound striper produces as many as 10,000,000 eggs. Striped bass are believed to spawn only in fresh water in which there is an appreciable current.
Good fishing occurs during late summer, but is best in the fall.
Stripers occur along the coast only during late spring and summer at which time surf fishermen get a chance at them. A variety of artificial lures and chunks or strips of standard bait fish will attract stripers. The beaches immediately adjacent to the Golden Gate are generally the best coastal spots, but occasional good runs are encountered as far south as Monterey and as far north as Bodega Bay. In San Francisco Bay, trolling with live bait is popular, with common catches under 10 pounds. Juvenile striped bass have been planted in San Diego, Mission, Newport and Anaheim Bays since 1974 to provide sportfishing.