FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
105 
to the factory. During much of the fishing season the daily catch for a pound net is about 1 bushel 
of menhaden, an amount too small to market. Fishermen generally do not record the catch of 
menhaden, and for this reason the amount taken by pound nets probably is larger than that given 
in the statistics. 
This species is taken during the major part of the fishing season — from March until late Novem- 
ber. It ranges from the capes to the head of the bay and is very common as far north as Baltimore. 
Habitat. — “ Nova Scotia to Brazil.” (Jordan and Evermann, 1896—1900.) 
Chesapeake localities. — •( a ) Previous records: Many parts of the bay, in salt and brackish 
waters. ( b ) Specimens in collection: From nearly all sections of the bay. Taken in shallow 
water during the summer and in deep water during the winter. 
Comparison of weights and measurements of menhaden 
Numberof fish weighed and measured 
Length 
Average 
weight 
Number of fish weighed and measured 
Length 
Average 
weight 
1 ___ 
Inches 
4 
4.5 
5 
5.5 
6 
6.5 
7 
7.5 
8 
Ounces 
0. 35 
.58 
.74 
1.05 
1.34 
1. 60 
2. 13 
2.52 
3.59 
11 
Inches 
8.5 
9 
9.5 
10 
10.5 
11.5 
13 
14 
Ounces 
4. 10 
4. 65 
6. 05 
7.15 
8.00 
8. 50 
16. 60 
17. 10 
35... 
9 
17... 
4 
23. 
8 
30 
3 
20 
1 
16 
1 
4... . 
2. 
12 
For convenience the fish were divided into groups varying one-half inch in length. For 
example, the 4. 5-inch group is composed of fish ranging in length from 4.25 to 4.74 inches, and the 
5-inch group is composed of individuals ranging from 4.75 to 5.24 inches in length, etc. The 
weights given constitute the average weight for all fish weighed and measured falling within a group. 
The weight of menhaden, with respect to size, varies according to season, the fat fish being 
heavier in the fall than corresponding sizes of spring-caught fish. Apparently weights of fish taken 
in the same season may vary from year to year, depending upon the amount and kind of food 
available. The following table illustrates the difference in weight of menhaden from lower Chesa- 
peake Bay caught during October, 1921 and 1922. These fish were weighed by the same metric scale. 
7. 
s. 
2 . 
4. 
1 
2 . 
6 . 
3. 
2 . 
1 . 
Number of fish weighed and measured 
Length 
1921 
Inches 
5.1 
5.5 
5.9 
6.3 
6.7 
7.1 
7.9 
8.3 
8.7 
9.1 
Weight 
Ounces 
0. 78 
1.01 
1.19 
1.44 
1.57 
1.95 
3.59 
3.52 
3. 77 
4.22 
Number of fish weighed and measured 
Length 
1922 
2 
Inches 
5.1 
5.5 
5.9 
6.3 
6.7 
7. 1 
7.9 
8.3 
8.7 
9. 1 
4 
8 
7 
7 
8 
3. 
7 
9 
2 
Weight 
Ounces 
1.07 
1.15 
1.36 
1. 55 
1.93 
2.21 
3. 27 
4. 26 
4.64 
5. 17 
/V 
