Atlantic Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Also known as Bass, Rockfish, Striper, Linesider
Culinary Profile
Both wild-caught and farmed striped bass have a slightly sweet flavor.
Firm, with large flakes.
Striped bass is a good source of low-fat protein and selenium. Consumption advisoriesfor striped bass vary from state to state.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Striped bass have stout bodies with seven to eight continuous horizontal stripes on each side, from their gills to their tail. They are light green, olive, steel blue, black, or brown on top, with a white or silver iridescent underside.
Biology
Striped bass have a fairly long life, up to 30 years. Growth depends on where they live. Striped bass can grow up to 5 feet in length and 77 pounds. Males are sexually mature between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. Females are able to reproduce when they are 4 to 8 years old. Females produce large quantities of eggs, which are fertilized by males as they are released.
Where They Live
Range Striped bass live along the East Coast from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to St. John’s River in Florida, and in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) from Florida to Louisiana. They were introduced to inland lakes and reservoirs and to the West Coast, where they’re now found from Mexico to British Columbia.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Available both frozen and fresh year-round, depending on the area.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina, and farmed.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of striped bass (from state waters) totaled almost 4 million pounds and were valued at approximately $15 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . These figures may not match other agency sources of data due to confidential information. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen use gear types that have minimal impact on habitat—gill nets, hook-and-line, pound nets, seines, and trawls. Most striped bass are caught in recreational fisheries, using mainly hook-and-line gear with little or no impact on habitat.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 104 Species
Where Atlantic Striped Bass ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 DHA | 585 mg | 16 / 104 | 85% |
| Vitamin B12 | 3.82 µg | 24 / 106 | 77% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.84 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 169 mg | 40 / 104 | 62% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Protein | 17.73 g | 71 / 111 | 36% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 82 / 111 | 26% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Striped Bass.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Atlantic Striped Bass, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else is Atlantic Striped Bass called?
Atlantic Striped Bass is also marketed as Bass, Rockfish, Striper, Linesider.
What is the stock status of Atlantic Striped Bass?
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Is Atlantic Striped Bass a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Atlantic Striped Bass provides 3.82 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 159% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Is Atlantic Striped Bass a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Atlantic Striped Bass supplies 169 mg of EPA and 585 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Where is Atlantic Striped Bass found?
Range Striped bass live along the East Coast from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to St. John’s River in Florida, and in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) from Florida to Louisiana. They were introduced to inland lakes and reservoirs and to the West Coast, where they’re now found from Mexico to British Columbia.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic striped bass is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2024 stock assessment , Atlantic striped bass are overfished and not subject to overfishing. ASMFC’s Stock Assessment Overview provides a summary of the 2024 stock assessment for Atlantic striped bass, including an overview of management, the types of data used, and how the data were analyzed.
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest striped bass have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission manages the striped bass stock, which inhabits all coastal and estuarine areas from Maine through Virginia, and the coastal areas of North Carolina. Estuarine striped bass stocks in North Carolina are managed as non-coastal migratory stocks by the State of North Carolina under the auspices of the Commission.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.