I had known that there were over ten different unique populations of striped bass around the United States and even that striped bass along the eastern Atlantic coast migrated all the way down to Florida. However, I never knew we actaully had a striped bass population along the gulf coast. I was reading the newest edition of Eddies today and sure enough not only are there striped bass along the gulf coast, there is a huge restoration effort happening. Pretty cool, read more below.

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The genetically unique Gulf Coaststrain of striped bass was once common to rivers pouring into the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1960’s, its population had declined significantly due to poor water quality and loss of habitat from a wave of dam construction. The last known population of native striped bass survived in low numbers in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Twenty-five years ago, these states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formed a powerful partnership to restore Gulf striped bass in the ACF. Some remarkable achievements have been made. We know more about its life history and its genetic integrity is safeguarded. The partners evaluate each year the stocking success and food availability; a young-of-year index estimates year-class strength; creel surveys evaluate recreational fishing; and telemetry studies have revealed the waters that provide essential temperatures the fish need. And now many of those coolwater habitats have been protected or rehabilitated. Recreational fishing in these places is carefully managed. Through the partnership, Radium Springs on the Flint River was purchased for habitat protection. Dead Lake Dam on the Chipola River was removed, and the operations at other dams have improved. Biologists have evaluated fish passage problems throughout the basin. Seven state and six federal hatcheries cooperatively stock more than one million Gulf striped bass a year. New recreational fisheries have been created, and anglers have set exciting new records. This work has been a catalyst for striped bass restoration throughout the Gulf region. Today, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi are helping this remarkable 25-yearold partnership ensure the success of this unique and important fish across much of its historic range.

Virginia NEW STRIPED BASS RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2008

The new striped bass regulations have been set. They are for the 2008 fall striped bass season inside Chesapeake Bay’s Virginia waters.

The CHESAPEAKE BAY regulations will remain the way they have been until December 21, 2008.
From now until December 21,2008 you are allowed to keep two (2) striped bass per person with a minimum length of 18 inches. No fish may be kept between 28 and 34 inches long. One (1) of your two fish may be 34 inches or longer.

That changes on December 21, 2008. From December 21, 2008 until the bay season ends December 31, 2008 you can only keep one fish per person. It can be on either side of the no-take slot limit.

The Atlantic Ocean Fishery Regulations are UNCHANGED. The regulations are two (2)  striped bass per person with a minimum of 28 inches.