About the project
Due to regulations and conservation-minded anglers, most striped bass are released back to the water after they are caught. Even though most of these fish survive, recreational releases still account for the largest source of mortality for striped bass. DMF is conducting research to understand why striped bass die after they are released and you can help!
We are seeking volunteer anglers to record some data while fishing for striped bass this year. Signing up and participating is easy, and you'll have the chance to win great prizes in our weekly Friday raffle!
How to participate
If you're interested in joining the project as a volunteer angler, the first step is signing up through our online form. Each participant will be given a datasheets and instructions when they sign up. You'll also need three simple tools you might already have lying around. All you need to participate in the program is:
- A stopwatch—a wristwatch or smartphone can be used to record fight and release times (saying “hey siri, open stopwatch!” makes it easy on an iPhone). You can also buy a regular stopwatch at any sporting goods store.
- A thermometer—most fish-finders already have a built-in thermometer for recording water temperature, if you’re fishing from a boat. Your car probably will tell you the air temperature on the way to and from fishing. You can also buy a simple handheld thermometer from any kitchen store.
- A tape measure—most anglers probably keep one of these handy, but any kind of tape measure will do. Sometimes it is easier to note the fish length against your fishing rod, and then measure that length after release.
After sending in your first report, we'll mail you a pair of aluminum fishing pliers as a thank-you gift. Continued participation will keep you entered into regular raffle drawings for Shimano rod and reel combos!
Have questions? Email us at striper@mass.gov or call (978) 282-0308.
Use the GotOne app to log your catches!
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the folks behind the GotOne fishing app. You can now use GotOne to log your catch data electronically rather than by physical datasheets. Whether you already have the GotOne fishing app, or you wish to download it, please click on the GotOne link in your confirmation email for step-by-step instructions to get started!
View the project data
Volunteer anglers have generously supported the striped bass citizen science project by recording data from their fishing trips. We're excited to begin sharing back that data through our new striped bass citizen science data portal, hosted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and funded by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Visit the portal to explore the data being reported, including bait and tackle type, fish size, fight and handling time, and much more. We're trying to understand what influences the survival of striped bass after they are released, and the figures presented in the portal are intended to show interesting patterns in the data, as they are being reported. Explore now.
Funding provided by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Hosted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries