FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
285 
mens taken in October ranged in length from 10 to 105 millimeters (% to 4 inches); in November 
the range was from 15 to 116 millimeters to inches); in December from 11 to 120 milli- 
meters to 4% inches); in January, 10 to 110 millimeters (^5 to 4 x /i inches); and in March from 
32 to 64 millimeters {V/i to 23^ inches). It would appear from these data that spawning continues 
during at least a part of the winter. 
It was found impossible to follow, through measurements, the rate of growth of young fish, 
even until the age of 1 year was reached. This, no doubt, is due largely to the long spawning 
period, as pointed out in the preceding paragraph. It is possible that an irregular rate of growth 
also is maintained, and that would add to the difficulty. Hundreds of fish were measured and 
length frequencies were plotted with the view of finding breaks, if they existed, upon which growth 
curves might be based. None were found, and scale studies were not attempted. We are unable, 
therefore, to give any information relative to the rate of growth. 
The croaker is one of the most valuable and abundant food fishes caught in Chesapeake Bay. 
During 1920 it ranked second in quantity and third in value, the catch being 14,170,385 pounds 
and the value $393,162. 
In Maryland it ranked third in quantity and sixth in value, the catch being 1,130,590 pounds, 
valued at $31,683. Of this amount, 54 per cent were caught with pound nets, 43 per cent with 
haul seines and drift nets, 2 per cent with lines, and 1 per cent with fyke nets. Dorchester County 
is credited with the largest catch, amounting to 380,945 pounds, followed by Calvert, with 279,400 
pounds, and Talbot, with 134,800 pounds. 
In Virginia it ranked second in both quantity and value, the catch being 13,039,795 pounds, 
valued at $361,479. Of this amount, 87 per cent were caught with pound nets, 6 per cent with 
lines, 3 per cent with drift nets, 2 per cent with haul seines, and 2 per cent with fyke nets. The 
five counties having the largest catches were Elizabeth City, 4,465,600 pounds; Gloucester, 1,981,300 
pounds; Mathews, 1,803,955 pounds; York, 1,552,924 pounds; and Accomac, 1,067,529 pounds. 
The croaker is caught in the bay from March until October, a few being taken in the lower part 
of the bay as late as the beginning of December. For a set of two pound nets at Lynnhaven Roads, 
Va., the first catch of croakers for each year mentioned is recorded as follows: March 23, 1910; 
March 29, 1912; April 12, 1916; April 4, 1917; March 21, 1918; March 17, 1919; March 24, 1920; 
March 15, 1921; March 21, 1922; and March 15, 1923. In the spring they suddenly appear in 
great numbers, and the bulk of the yearly catch is usually taken during March, April, and May. 
During 1922 no croakers were caught in the previously mentioned pound nets until March 21, when 
the first catch consisted of 8,675 pounds, with a catch of 10,400 pounds on the following day. 
After about June 10 pound-net catches of croakers take a decided drop, but apparently this 
does not mean that the fish have left the bay. Although these fish are present during March and 
April in large numbers, they seldom bite on a hook. In the latter part of May and after June 1 
they readily take the hook, however, and are caught in large quantities in that way throughout 
the summer and fall. 
Drift nets are used to advantage in some localities, notably Cape Charles and the lower York 
and Rappahannock Rivers, Va. This apparatus is used where the bottom is smooth and free of 
d 6 bris. The so-called “drift net” is really nothing but a gill net ranging from about 200 to 400 
fathoms in length and 20 feet in depth. It is weighted to such an extent that the tide carries it 
slowly over the bottom. Buoys placed at intervals indicate the progress of the net to the operators. 
When not fishing the net is wound on a large wooden reel, which is part of the equipment of the 
