Description

Striped Bass are a long slender fish with seven to nine distinct stripes running lengthwise along their sides and back with multiple stripes reaching the base of the tail. White bass typically only have a single stripe that reaches the tail and do not have as long and slender of a body shape. Striped bass have teeth on the base of the tongue which are arranged in two parallel patches.

Habitat and Habits

Striped bass are an anadromous species which means they spend most of their lives in the ocean and run up rivers to spawn in fresh water. They are native to the Atlantic Ocean from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to the Northern Part of Florida. They have been introduced in many large deep southern US reservoirs successfully creating sport fisheries but introductions in Ohio have been less successful. The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks them for the purpose of maintaining brood stocks for hybrid striped bass production. Currently they are only stocked in Kiser Lake. Occasionally individuals are found in the Ohio River which is the result of stocking programs in Kentucky.

Reproduction and Care of the Young

Striped bass rarely reproduce in freshwater without having migrated from the ocean and reproduction has not been documented in Ohio.

Quick Facts

• Fish Family: Moronidae (Temperate Basses)


• Other Names: None


• Ohio River: Introduced and sport fish


• Adult Size: Typically 15-20 inches, can reach 40 inches in Ohio. Usually weigh 1-5 pounds, can reach 37 pounds in Ohio. In the Atlantic Ocean they can reach a size of over 5 feet and weigh over 60 pounds.


• Typical Foods: Primarily small fish, such as gizzard shad.