The lower Roanoke River is defined as the Roanoke River and its tributaries downstream, from the U.S. 258 bridge near Scotland Neck to Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers. The upper Roanoke River is defined as the Roanoke River and its tributaries upstream, from the U.S. 258 bridge near Scotland Neck to Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam.

The daily creel limit within the Roanoke River Management Area is two striped bass per person. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches may be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches may be included in the daily creel limit.

Other striped bass regulations require the use of a single barbless hook or a lure with a single barbless hook when fishing in the upper Roanoke River from April 1 through June 30.

Striped bass are an anadromous fish species, which means they spend their adult lives in salt water but migrate into fresh water each spring to spawn. Once heavily overfished, striped bass in the Roanoke River have made a remarkable comeback due to an aggressive striped bass management program initiated in the late 1980s.

To ensure the continued success of one of the best striped bass fisheries on the East Coast, the Wildlife Commission establishes an annual striped bass season and enforces regulations, such as size and creel limits.