ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources launched its Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast on June 18, 2025, to reduce striped bass mortality during the summer fishing season. Running through Labor Day, the color-coded system provides daily recommendations to anglers, helping them plan trips up to seven days in advance to minimize stress on fish.
The forecast uses a red, yellow, and green advisory system based on air temperature predictions from the National Weather Service at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Red advisories, triggered at 95 degrees or higher, urge anglers to avoid striped bass fishing after 10 a.m. and target other species. Yellow advisories, for 90-94 degrees, recommend extreme care, keeping caught fish in water during release. Green advisories indicate normal conditions, with proper catch-and-release practices encouraged.
“Seasonal high water and air temperatures, combined with low oxygen, can cause fish to become sensitive and stressed, with increased mortality during catch-and-release fishing,” said a department spokesperson. Larger striped bass, 24 inches or greater, are particularly vulnerable. Anglers can check the forecast on the department’s Striped Bass Fishing Advisory webpage or follow Fishing and Boating Services on Facebook and X.
Advisory flags matching the daily color code are displayed at state parks with boating access around the Chesapeake Bay region. The department monitors temperature forecasts daily, noting that local conditions may vary from BWI’s readings. A printable advisory flyer is available online, detailing the system and best practices.
To protect striped bass, the department mandates circle hooks, recommending sizes 8/0-9/0 for targeting the species. Anglers should minimize handling, keep fish in water during de-hooking, use wet hands to preserve the fish’s slime layer, and have de-hooking tools ready. Regulations may include exceptions, which anglers should review.
The initiative addresses the environmental challenges of summer fishing, when warm waters and low oxygen levels increase striped bass mortality. In 2024, Maryland reported significant striped bass catch-and-release mortality during heat waves, prompting the advisory’s development. The Chesapeake Bay, a critical habitat for striped bass, supports a robust recreational fishery, with over 500,000 angling trips annually.
The department encourages anglers to adopt these practices year-round to sustain the striped bass population, a key species for Maryland’s economy and ecology. By aligning fishing with cooler conditions, the advisory aims to enhance conservation efforts while maintaining recreational opportunities. For more details, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
