Striped bass are anadromous fish associated with coastal streams when in freshwater. They occur along the Atlantic coast from the St. Lawrence River to the St. Johns River, Florida as well as the Gulf of Mexico and tributaries in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Their distribution in Massachusetts is limited to eight of 32 watersheds associated with large coastal river systems. As with the Atlantic salmon, striped bass spend the majority of their life cycle in saltwater, returning to freshwater streams to spawn. With the exception of migrations, striped bass are found near shore generally in salt and brackish waters.
Striped bass appear in Massachusetts coastal waters in late spring to early summer.
During this time, they may enter estuarine and freshwater systems. In the fall, striped bass migrate south to overwintering grounds, however, some individuals may overwinter in Massachusetts in freshwater rivers. During these migrations, they represent one of the most important recreational fish species in Massachusetts. When in coastal waters, striped bass are voracious feeders foraging on fish, crustaceans and polychaetes. While in freshwater, their diet consists mainly of small fish such as herring, menhaden, shad and alewives.