Our other monitoring programs do not provide any information on released striped bass in the recreational fishery. Without this survey data the VPA model would be incomplete and we would be underestimating mortality in the recreational fishery. Based on the frequency of length groups reported in the spring season, the Department can determine the percentage of striped bass harvested that are migratory or resident stock. Instructions, survey forms, and return envelopes are mailed out to the volunteers that signup to participate in the survey through the mail. The forms are to be filled out for each fishing trip, even if no striped bass are caught.
Survey data is entered into a database and analyzed at the conclusion of the fall fishing season.
These results are from data entered through the online survey and survey forms mailed into the Department. The survey was expanded this year to include the Atlantic coast and coastal bays. This information will bring the Department steps closer to understanding the needs and fishing behavior of Atlantic fisherman. The Atlantic coastal fishery caught 143 fish in the survey and measured 108 of these fish. The average size striped bass caught in the survey was 22 inches.