Cold, Snowy Weather Could Help Atlantic Striped Bass Rebound

Experts say severe winter weather may boost spawning and survival of Virginia's state saltwater fish

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Experts say the recent cold, snowy weather in Virginia could have a positive impact on the population of Atlantic striped bass, the state's official saltwater fish. Between 70-90% of all striped bass spawn and spend their early years in the Chesapeake Bay, and cold winters tend to correlate with better spawns. The colder weather delays the hatching of zooplankton, which helps time the food source to coincide with the hatching of newly spawned striped bass. This improves the survival rate of young striped bass, whose numbers have been in decline due to poor spawns in recent years.

Why it matters

Atlantic striped bass are an iconic species that provide a multi-billion dollar sportfishing industry along the East Coast. Rebuilding the striped bass population is crucial for the recreational fishing economy in Virginia and other states. The recent cold snap could be a much-needed boost to help reverse the declining striped bass numbers.

The details

Striped bass usually hatch in April, but if their food source of zooplankton hatches earlier in February or March due to warmer water temperatures, many young striped bass starve. The colder winter weather this year is expected to delay the zooplankton hatch to better match the striped bass spawning, improving the survival rate of the young fish.

  • The recent cold, snowy weather has occurred over the past week in Virginia.
  • Striped bass typically spawn in April in the Chesapeake Bay.

The players

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

The state agency responsible for managing Virginia's wildlife and fisheries resources.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Good Day Virginia Meteorologist Kara Thompson

A meteorologist who provided the long-range winter weather forecast for Virginia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These fish provide a wealth of recreational opportunity for millions of anglers.”

— Alex McCrickard, Aquatic Education Coordinator, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

“There's thinking that the timing between when the fish actually release their eggs and spawn and their food sources is somewhat of a mismatch. Therefore not a lot of those small fish are surviving.”

— Chris Moore

“If we need the colder weather conditions at least the temperatures are going to be in our favor. Just have to watch out for that wetter part to see if we see anymore rain or snow anytime soon.”

— Kara Thompson, Meteorologist, Good Day Virginia

What’s next

Fisheries managers will continue to monitor the striped bass spawn in the Chesapeake Bay this spring to see if the cold winter weather has the expected positive impact on survival rates of young fish.

The takeaway

The recent cold snap in Virginia could provide a much-needed boost to the population of Atlantic striped bass, an iconic species that supports a multi-billion dollar sportfishing industry along the East Coast. By delaying the hatching of the striped bass' food source, the colder weather may help improve the survival rate of young fish, reversing a years-long decline in striped bass numbers.