Largemouth Bass | Hybrid Striped Bass | Hake | Trout | Haddock | Perch Flounder |  Koi

Hybrid striped bass are a cross between striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and white bass (Morone chrysops). Pure strain white bass and striped bass are currently not cultured in Massachusetts. Although a population of hybrids is not capable of self sustaining, it may backcross with either striped bass or white bass. Life history information for striped bass and white bass is presented here in reference to the culture of hybrid striped bass in Massachusetts.

Striped bass are anadromous fish associated with coastal streams when in freshwater. They occur along the Atlantic coast from the St. Lawrence River to the St. Johns River, Florida as well as the Gulf of Mexico and tributaries in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Their distribution in Massachusetts is limited to eight of 32 watersheds associated with large coastal river systems.

As with the Atlantic salmon, striped bass spend the majority of their life cycle in saltwater, returning to freshwater streams to spawn. With the exception of migrations, striped bass are found near shore generally in salt and brackish waters. Striped bass appear in Massachusetts coastal waters in late spring to early summer. During this time, they may enter estuarine and freshwater systems. In the fall, striped bass migrate south to overwintering grounds, however, some individuals may overwinter in Massachusetts in freshwater rivers. During these migrations, they represent one of the most important recreational fish species in Massachusetts. When in coastal waters, striped bass are voracious feeders foraging on fish, crustaceans and polychaetes. While in freshwater, their diet consists mainly of small fish such as herring, menhaden, shad and alewives. Striped bass spawn in large, rapidly flowing rivers in the spring with a peak occurring at about 18° F. Large, semibuoyant eggs are broadcast and drift with the current. A single female may produce up to a million eggs. The eggs hatch within two to three days depending on water temperature. Juvenile striped bass may remain in freshwater for up to two years before migrating to saltwater.

The distribution of white bass includes the St. Lawrence River west through the Great Lakes states from New York to Minnesota, west to South Dakota and south in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys to the Gulf of Mexico. Its natural range has been greatly enhanced as a result of stocking. Currently, there are no populations of white bass in any watersheds in Massachusetts.

White bass are generally found in schools in the upper water column of large streams, lakes and reservoirs. They prefer clear water and tend to be found over sand, rock or gravel bottoms. The diet of young white bass consists of small crustaceans, insect larvae and fish. Fish make up the bulk of the diet for adults. Prey items are located visually, thus their tendency to be found in clear waters. Spawning commences in the spring as water temperatures approach 55-60° F. At this time, large schools begin to make inshore movements to shoals and estuaries. Adhesive eggs are fertilized as they are broadcast into the substrate. Here they attach to vegetation, gravel, boulders etc. A single female may produce up to 500,000 eggs. At spawning temperatures, eggs generally hatch within 46 hours.

Hybrid striped bass are cultured in private facilities mainly for supply to the restaurant and supermarket trade as a food fish. Currently, hybrid striped bass culture in Massachusetts begins with fingerlings imported from out of state. Under hatchery conditions, these fingerlings are reared at 79° F in hard water. The pH should be maintained at between 6.5 and 8.5 and the dissolved oxygen level should remain above 6.0 ppm. There is also some limited grow-out of these hybrids occurring in culture ponds.

*Information found at the "White Paper Project"