Overview
Stripers exhibit different migratory patterns and behavioral changes throughout the year.
January and February
Season Overview
In the coldest months, smaller fish reduce activity while larger stripers are less affected. The stripers can become more active when the water temperature stabilizes or warms up.
Fishing Techniques
Use free-lining techniques with big shad and alewives. Opt for small soft plastics in off white or pearl colors, or a small realistic fly that imitates a thread fin shad.
March and April
Season Overview
As the water starts to warm, fish move to warmer, shallower water. Fishing is best near the end of the day. Windy conditions are optimal.
Fishing Techniques
Use planer boards with big bait. Fish move towards shallow, windblown banks in the afternoons, with increased activity from late March.
May and June
Season Overview
This is prime season, with activity all over the lake. Top water plugs become a favorite, especially when fish are visibly active near the surface.
Fishing Techniques
Top water plugs work great, especially in early morning and late afternoon in May. As June arrives, activity shifts to the early morning.
July and August
Season Overview
Summer fishing calls for a mixture of live-baiting and light tackle jigging, with many fish moving towards the lower lake.
Fishing Techniques
Fish move to deep, cool waters. Use alewives dropped to where fish are marked on your graph or troll for suspended fish with lead core line or down riggers.
September and October
Season Overview
Fishing remains good in deep water until mid-October. As the water cools and begins to turn over, the fish seek out greenish water with good oxygen levels.
Fishing Techniques
Watch for surface action as temperatures cool. In October, chase surface feeding stripers and use big baits on planers.
November and December
Season Overview
Schooling fish feed for hours, and by late November the lake turns a pretty green and the fish move shallow.
Fishing Techniques
In low light, use small jigs and free-lined bait. Midday, they drop to deeper waters and eat down-lines and jigging spoons close to the bottom.