England, winter flounder abundance has declined in recent years because of natural fluctuations and also 

 most likely because of recent increases in commercial fishing. 



As reported for other populations, the average sex ratio for Niantic River winter flounder was 1.44 

 in favor of females. The length of 50% maturation of females was 26.8 cm, equivalent to age 3 or 4. 

 Most spawning in the Niantic River was completed by early April with annual variations apparently 

 related to water temperature. Egg production was a function of female size and the length-fecundity 

 relationship was similar to those reported for other populations. Egg production peaked in 1982 and 

 has since decreased about 80%. 



Scales were successfully used to age winter flounder. Mean lengths of age 3 and older females 

 were significantly larger than those of males. Growth was relatively rapid in early years, but older age 

 groups overlapped considerably in size. Growth of the Niantic River fish was less than other populations 

 in the region through age 2, but equaled or exceeded their means at age 3 and older. The von BertalanfTy 

 model was used to calculate population growth parameters using 1983 length-at-age data. Loo was 

 determined as 423 and 381 mm and K as 0.42 and 0.44 for females and males, respectively. The mean 

 annual survival rate of age 3 and older adults was determined as 0.486 using a catch curve with samples 

 combined from successive years to reduce bias. As found elsewhere, the winter flounder preyed upon 

 a variety of benthic organisms and algae. Food items varied by location and reflected bottom type and 

 different benthic communities. 



The overall rate of return of Petersen disc-tagged winter flounder was 25%. About twice as many 

 were taken by the sport than the commercial fishery, although less cooperation was probably received 

 from the latter. Most (70%) of the returns were from local waters and three times as many of the 

 longer-distance recaptures were made in waters to the east than to the west. 



Direct tissue isoelectric focusing techniques were used to differentiate stocks of winter flounder. 

 Good separation was achieved using fish from major estuaries in Connecticut and Rhode Island at least 

 8 km apart. A second study using fish from areas closer to MNPS showed more homogeneity, with 

 significant intermixing occurring throughout much of the year. The technique could not be used to 

 separate immature specimens. 



