NPSpecies

The data source confirming park status is over 10 years old. The park status value was chosen due to the lack of current evidence for the occurrence of this species in the park.; Data Source: Britt, 1993

Data Source: Britt, 1993

Data Source: Britt, 1993

Park Species Detail: Britt, 1993: Morone saxatilis, striped bass (anadromous, native) Striped bass are native to the Atlantic Coast of North America. In recent years they have been introduced into rivers, lakes and reservoirs in the Southeastern United States as well as in California. There are nine major native Atlantic populations distributed along the Atlantic coast from the St. Lawrence River, Canada to the St. James River, Florida. Striped bass inhabit a variety of habitats. In marine waters, they are found along shores, bays and estuaries. The average adult total length is 450-1000 mm, weighing 5 to 20 pounds. Females grow larger than males. The maximum life span for striped bass is 31 years. The striped bass' diet in salt water consists of menhaden, anchovies, silversides, herrings, crabs and shrimp. In fresh water, their diet consists of gizzard shad and threadfin shad, herring, golden shiners, minnows, amphipods and mayflies. Striped bass are anadromous, migrating from the ocean up rivers to fresh water to spawn. Spawning begins in the Spring when water temperature ranges from 60-70°F. The female may lay as many as 3 or 4 million semi-buoyant eggs. Spawning is successful if a sufficient current is present to suspend the eggs until they hatch. If the eggs are not suspended, they settle to the bottom and die. The incubation period is 36 to 75 hours. One juvenile striped bass was collected from Rock Creek during the present study, Park Species Data Source: Britt et al 1993