Stripers in NE FL are a freshwater population in the upper SJR system above Palatka, with a smaller population near Ortega and Trout River. They're not the migratory Atlantic stripers you'd find further north — these are landlocked. They hold in deep river holes, channel bends, and around deep structure.
Silvery body with seven distinctive horizontal black stripes running tail to gill plate, two separate dorsal fins. Florida limit is 6 daily, 18-inch minimum on most freshwater stripers. SJR fish average 3-8 lb; trophy 15+ lb fish caught annually.
Best November through March in NE FL — cold water concentrates fish in deep holes and they feed actively. Spring spawning runs into smaller tributaries. Summer they're harder; the heat pushes them to the deepest coolest water. The winter river bite is the marquee NE FL striper window.
Live shad on a three-way rig (8 oz weight on the bottom, single 4/0 circle hook on the side dropper) fished in a 20-30 foot river hole during winter. Or troll a deep-diving bucktail jig along a channel edge near the Buckman or Fuller Warren bridges. They hit hard and run heavy; 30 lb braid is the right call.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.