Caught a striper and want to know its weight? This striped bass length-to-weight chart gives the average weight by length — handy for slot limits and quick catch-and-release, whether you’re on the surf or a freshwater reservoir.
Striped Bass length-to-weight chart
| Length | Average weight |
|---|---|
| 18″ | 2.78 lb |
| 20″ | 3.81 lb |
| 22″ | 5.07 lb |
| 24″ | 6.58 lb |
| 26″ | 8.37 lb |
| 28″ | 10.45 lb |
| 30″ | 12.86 lb |
| 32″ | 15.6 lb |
| 34″ | 18.72 lb |
| 36″ | 22.22 lb |
| 38″ | 26.13 lb |
| 40″ | 30.48 lb |
| 42″ | 35.28 lb |
| 44″ | 40.56 lb |
These values use weight (lb) = length³ ÷ 2,100 (length in inches). Coastal stripers feeding heavily in spring and fall can run heavier than the chart.
What’s an average striper — and what’s a trophy?
Stripers span a huge range: “schoolie” keepers are often 20–30 inches and 5–15 pounds, while larger adults reach 30–50 lb. A fish over 30 inches is strong, and the coveted milestone is a “cow” of 40+ pounds (roughly 45+ inches). Records split by water: the saltwater all-tackle record is 81 lb 14 oz (Long Island Sound, 2011), and the landlocked/freshwater record is 69 lb 9 oz (Black Warrior River, Alabama, 2013).
Put a number on your exact fish (worked example)
Weight (lb) = Length × Girth² ÷ 800
A 36-inch striper with a 22-inch girth works out to 36 × 22 × 22 ÷ 800 = 21.8 lb, right around the 22.2 lb chart figure for a well-conditioned fish. A skinnier post-spawn fish of the same length weighs noticeably less — which is exactly why girth matters. Measure both and use the free fish weight calculator; see how to estimate a fish’s weight.
Why two stripers of the same length weigh differently
Big pre-spawn females (the “cows”) are heavy with eggs and at their peak. Stripers feeding hard on herring, shad, and menhaden in spring and fall carry more weight than lean summer fish. The largest trophy stripers are almost always females.
Where and when to find bigger striped bass
Striped bass are anadromous — they live in saltwater and estuaries and run up freshwater rivers to spawn, and they’ve been stocked into many inland reservoirs. Look for them at river mouths, estuaries, rocky shorelines, and surf, and in summer reservoirs just above the thermocline (cool water with enough oxygen). Spring and fall feeding runs produce the biggest fish. Conservation note: because the giants are breeding females, many anglers release big cows. ID by the 7–8 unbroken horizontal stripes (hybrids and white bass have broken stripes).
Striped bass weight FAQ
How much does a 40-inch striped bass weigh? About 30 pounds in average condition.
What’s a trophy striped bass? A “cow” of 40+ lb (around 45+ inches).
Are the biggest stripers males or females? Almost always females — a good reason to release the giants.
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