Another striped bass season on the Roanoke River has come to an end.

On Tuesday, biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the Division of Marine Fisheries completed their last spawning stock assessment of the season. They collected about 190 striped bass, a far cry from the 904 collected last week.

The sizes of the fish collected ranged from 14 to 24 inches, with the largest being a 34-inch female. Biologists collected the majority of fish from the boat ramp to the mouth of the “Little River.” With water temperatures at 70 degrees and quickly warming as the summer approaches, the few remaining stripers will soon be gone until next spring when water temperatures are favorable for spawning striped bass arrival. Over the course of the striped bass sampling season, WRC and DMF biological staff collected about 5,500 striped bass and tagged about 4,000 of them.

Many thanks go out to the following people for their hard work during the 2008 striped bass sampling and creel season on the Roanoke River.

The Roanoke River is considered by many fishermen to be one of the best fishing destinations anywhere, especially for striped bass (also known as rockfish).

At one time, rockfish were at dangerously low levels, but thanks to conservation measures, they are now in plentiful supply; in fact, the Atlantic Coast Marine Fisheries Commission declared the striped bass in the Atlantic Coast to be a “fully recovered” species. With continued conservation efforts and sensible management, the rockfish supply should continue to be abundant.

The best time for striper fishing on the Roanoke River is from mid-March to early June when water temperatures are between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Striped bass may be caught and released May 1 through June 30, but keeping them is limited to March 1 through April 30. The lower Roanoke River is considered to be US Hwy 258 bridge near Scotland Neck to Albemarle Sound, and the upper Roanoke River is considered to be US Hwy 258 bridge upstream near Scotland Neck to the Roanoke Rapids Lake dam.

During the open season, anglers may possess one daily creel limit of striped bass on any day of the week. The daily creel limit for striped bass is two fish per angler. The minimum length limit for striped bass is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in length may be possessed at any time, and only one striped bass larger than 27 inches may be included in the daily creel limit.

The Roanoke River Striped Bass Management Area is defined as the inland and joint fishing waters of the Roanoke River and its tributaries, extending from its mouth upstream to the Roanoke Rapids Lake dam. This area or parts thereof may be closed to striped bass harvest at any time when allowable poundage quotas have been reached.

Area Fishing Guide Services

Charlie’s Striper Guide Service
(252) 586-1159/(252) 532-7634 (cell)

Bobby Phillips-Carolina Sportsman Guide
(252) 203-3831, www.carolinasportsman.net

Bucks Unlimited Outdoor Adventures
(252) 535-2913 or 308-7523

Captain Jack Eudy
(252) 537-1386

Captain Rod Thomas
(336) 798-3327, www.telefishion.com

John O’Briant
(252) 532-3532

Occoneechee Lodge
(252) 583-1799, www.deerhuntingnc.com

Piney Woods Bait, Tackle & Hunting Shop
(252) 826-5283

Roanoke River Outfitters
(252) 536-3119, www.roanokehunting.com

Roanoke Tar Guide Service
(252) 532-9885, www.roanoketarguide.com

Additional guide services may be available. Check www.visithalifax.com or call 1-800-522-4282 for more information.

Anglers—stop by the Halifax County Visitors Center at 260 Premier Blvd. (I-95 Exit 173) in Roanoke Rapids for a complimentary bag of peanuts and information on area attractions, dining & accommodations!