Striped bass have been under a rebuilding plan since 2019. The most recent 2024 stock assessment update conducted by the Atlantic States Mariene Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) found the resource remains overfished with a less than fifty percent (50 percent) chance of rebuilding the stock by 2029 as planned.
The rebuilding plan will not meet its goal unless new measures are taken to rebuild the stock. Low recruitment and the lack of strong year-classes to supply the fishy were noted as key challenges.
Based on these projections, a special meeting will be held on Dec. 16, 2024, to consider Striped Bass Management Board action to change 2025 management measures to reduce fishing mortality and increase the probability of rebuilding to at least 50%. This will likely translate to new, more restrictive regulations for 2025.
The 2024 regulation for striped bass was one fish/person/day between 28” to less than 31” with a year round season. New regulations to rebuild the stock by 2029 will consider a shorter season, a new slot size, “no-harvest” closures as well as “no-targeting” closures. Additionally, the technical committee examined treating commercial and recreational fishing reductions the same or lower reductions for commercial fishing.
At a meeting Thursday, Dec. 5 options were discussed by the ASMFC striped bass board technical committee to meet the rebuilding plan by 2029. They can be found at REVISEDAtlStripedBassBoardMaterials_Dec2024.pdf.
Fred Definis of Middletown, 2nd Vice President of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), said, “It looks like our season will likely be cut short in November and December to make sure we meet the 14 percent harvest reduction to achieve goals set out in the 2029 striped bass rebuilding plan. RISAA is supporting this reduction as well as a regional approach to new regulations. Ideally keeping striped bass regulations in the MA, RI, CT, NY and NJ area the same for angler clarity and ease of enforcement.”
This regional approach, rather than a state by state approach, will also avoid any one state in the region from having a competitive edge, particularly when it comes to party and charter boats.
Tony Friedrich, President and Policy Director of the American Saltwater Guides Association, said, “The baseline for our position is simple. First, we need to make adjustments in the striped bass management plan to make sure we rebuild to target as planned by 2029.”
Proposed options include a variety of strategies such as “no-harvest” closures and “no-targeting” closures. Friedrich, said, “We prefer no-harvesting closures to accomplish rebuilding by 2029 and strongly oppose no-targeting closures because it treats different geographic areas unfairly.” No-targeting closures would prohibit anglers from fishing for striped bass, many believe (including those in law enforcement) that no targeting options would not be enforceable and therefore not yield reliable results.
“We also support lowering the slot limit to protect the 2018 year class of fish. We do not want to make the same mistake we made in 2022 and 2023 and establish a slot limit that allows overharvesting of a fairly abundance year class (2018),” said Friedrick.
For additional striped bass information, details on the American Saltwater Guides Association’s official position and a copy of their position letter which you can sign onto visit Striper Action Alert – American Saltwater Guides Association.
The Commission anticipates a large volume of written public comments will be submitted for the Dec. 16 meeting. The deadline for written comments was Tuesday, Dec. 10. However, limited time for public comments at the meeting may be granted by the Striped Bass Board chair at the Dec. 16 meeting which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The meeting will be held at The Westin Crystal City (1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA; 703.486.1111) and via webinar. To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108
(Webinar ID 586-838-579).
If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703-842-0790.

Where’s the bite?”
Tautog fishing and cod fishing. Call ahead to make a party boat reservation, vessels generally sail between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and return in the afternoon. Visit www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com. Full day rates for vessels are generally $130 to $135 per adult and around $80 for those under 12 years old.
Striped bass. Ed Lombardo, expert fly fisher and instructor, said “Sunday, fishing from 9 a.m.to 2:30 p.m., at the Narrow River, Narragansett on an incoming tide, I caught two slot sized striped bass (28” to < 31”). No shad but some silversides in the water. Used one of my Ed’s flies to land the fish.”
Freshwater fishing. For a complete list of trout stocked ponds in Massachusetts visit Mass Wildlife at Trout stocking report | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing, or call 401-789-0281 or 401-539-0019 for more information on trout stocking.
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.