2. The totiil niiiTiber of winter flounder larger than 20 cm declined 28% 

 from 1982 and 15% from 1981, but remained greater than those of the 

 late 1970' s. The estimated number of smaller winter flounder 

 decreased more than a third from 1982, but this may have been 

 partly related to differences in sampling among years. 



3. The median was chosen as the most representative catch statistic 

 for trawl CPUE during the surveys. Standardization of the tows 

 lessened the variability of the 1983 data as compared to previous 

 years. 



4. Spawning apparently began in January or early February under the 

 ice in the upper river and was completed by mid-April. Little 

 spawning apparently took place outside of the river. The median 

 size of mature females was 25.1 cm. The number of spawning females 

 and egg production peaked in 1982 with 1983 and 1981 estimates 

 comparable in magnitude. 



5. Calculated lengths-at-age were greater for females than males at 

 age 3 and older. Niantic River fish grew slower than other nearby 

 populations during their first 2 years of life, but caught up to or 

 surpassed other stocks beginning at age 3. The von Bertalanffy 

 theoretical growth parameters were calculated and were also similar 

 to those of other New England stocks. 



6. Tagging studies showed that most movement out of the Millstone area 

 was to the east. More females tended to leave the area than males 

 and more returns were received from the sport than the commercial 

 fishery. 



7. Winter flounder yolk-sac larvae were collected almost exclusively 

 in the Niantic River. The seaward flushing of larvae into Niantic 

 Bay primarily occurred during their second developmental stage. 

 Transforming larvae (Stages 3-5) were concentrated in Niantic Bay 

 and the lower portion of the Niantic River. 



56 



