in July, but were more abundant in Zone 3. A 

 winter spawning offshore was indicated by size 

 and time of appearance of young- fish in the col- 

 lections. The absence of bluefish in collections 

 with the bottom trawls was probably indicative 

 of their habitat preferences and in no way re- 

 flected population size. 



Blueback Herring 



Blueback herring were taken in Zones 1-5. 

 and young-of-the-year (22 mm) were first en- 

 countered in collections from Zone 1 in June. 

 Young-of-the-year remained in the upper river 

 until December and were taken with adult fish 

 in Zones 4 and 5 as late as February. The mean 

 length of young blueback herring was 23 mm 



in June, 40 mm in August, 51 mm in September, 

 59 mm in October, 71 mm in November, 71 mm 

 in December, and 81 mm in February. 



Other Abundant Species 



Data on the other abundant species mentioned 

 above were too incomplete to draw definite con- 

 clusions regarding spawning times and migra- 

 tional patterns. Golden shiner, the only fresh- 

 water fish among the dominant species, was col- 

 lected in the upper river throughout the year and 

 was far more numerous in Zones 1 and 2 than 

 in Zone 3. Young-of-the-year (22 mm) were 

 first collected in June, indicating that spawning 

 occurred in spring. Tidewater silverside was 

 taken in Zones 2-6 and was most abundant in 



Table 10.--Monthly distribution and length range (mm in parentheses) of 

 Atlantic silverside in samples collected by haul seine and surface 

 tr aw 1 . 



Month 



Zone 



Total 

 number 



206 



332 



359 



77 



188 



1,850 



152 



396 



206 



724 



389 



445 



17 



