Specimens: (PLATES 45, 46, 47) 



The striped bass is caught along Rhode Island's sandy beaches, 

 rock-bound shores, in tidal rivers such as the Pettaquamscutt and 

 Taunton, and Block Island Sound. It is pursued by vast hordes of 

 sport fishermen and a few commercial fishermen with beach seines. 

 It is the most popular salt water game fish in Rhode Island waters 

 and has shown a marked decline in abundance in recent years. The 

 variation in abundance of this species can possibly be attributed 

 to poor year classes and pollution of spawning grounds. A few 

 stripers may sometimes overwinter in Pettaquamscutt River and 

 Salt Pond. The first stripers of the season usually appear in late 

 March and early April in coastal estuaries and this species is present 

 until the end of November. Many notable catches of striped bass 

 have been made in Rhode Island. Listed below are 1960 World 

 Records recognized by the International Game Fish Association, 

 in various line categories, of striped bass taken from Rhode Island 

 waters. 



Photographs and description of Rhode Island stripers appear in 

 Gordon (1957 g). 



Economic Importance: 



The striped bass is an important adjunct to the tourist trade in 

 the summer and fall. This species is chiefly responsible for the influx 

 of thousands of surfcasters and boat fishermen from neighboring 

 and distant states. Because of its excellent flavor as a food fish, 

 this species is widely sought by certain commercial fishermen. 

 During 1957, according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

 figures, 21,797 pounds of striped bass, valued at $5,033 were re- 

 corded at Rhode Island fishing ports. 



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