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BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
development of C. nebulosus. Similarly, the distinguishing characters of C. regalis 
and C. nothus are shown in a paragraph following the descriptions of the various 
stages in the development of C. nothus. 
CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 
SPOTTED TROUT; SPECKLED TROUT; SPOTTED WEAK FISH 
The spotted trout ranges from New York to Texas and is commercially an impor- 
tant fish from Virginia southward to Texas. According to the statistical records 7 
of this Bureau, the following catches were made by States: Virginia, 198,000 pounds; 
North Carolina, 694,309; South Carolina, 10,900; Georgia, 48,450; Florida, 
2,790,566; Alabama, 105,981 ; Mississippi, 125,112; Louisiana, 387,101; and Texas, 
1,043,353. This weakfish reaches a fairly large size. Individuals weighing 5 to 10 
pounds are not unusual on the coast of North Carolina. The maximum weight 
attained, so far as known to the writers, is 16 pounds (Hildebrand and Schroeder, 
1928, p. 298). 
The spotted trout is a fish of superior flavor, and it always commands a good 
price. Its importance in North Carolina is greatly increased because it is caught in 
the shallow waters of the estuaries and sounds throughout the year. The catches 
made during the winter are of particularly great importance to the fishermen who 
depend on haul-net fishing. A catch of speckled trout during the winter, which is a 
very lean season with the haul-seine fishermen, often is a real “life saver.” In fact, 
the speckled trout is of first importance to these fishermen in the vicinity of Beaufort. 
Even though the total annual catch is smaller than for the gray trout, the annual 
money value is greater, because of the higher price it commands in the market. 
Furthermore, much of the return, as already indicated, comes during the winter 
when it is badly needed. 
Although the fish inhabit the shallow waters of the sounds and estuaries during 
the winter, they do at times become numb from the cold. For example, on January 
7, 1926, fishermen are reported to have made good wages picking up numb and floating 
fish in North River. The weather had been rather unusually cold for a week or more, 
the air temperature having dropped to 12° F. on December 28. The water temperature 
at 4:30 p.m. at the laboratory pier, just off a moderately deep channel where the 
water undoubtedly was not as cold as in the shallow estuary of North River, was 55°, 
57°, 53° F., respectively, on January 5, 6, and 7. Again on January 4, 1928, many 
numb floating speckled trout were seen in the vicinity of Beaufort. The senior author 
picked up several along the shores of Pivers Island, and commercial fishermen found 
it profitable to “gather” the fish. Perhaps many more fish were eaten by water 
fowl than were gathered by man. At least, the activities of the sea gulls were great 
around Pivers Island. January 4 was preceded by several days of exceptionally 
cold weather (for that vicinity), the air temperature reaching the low mark of 14° F. 
on January 2. The water temperature at 4:30 p.m. was 42°, 41°, and 39° F., 
respectively, on January 2, 3, and 4. 
The numbed fish became quite active upon being taken into a heated room. 
It is thought, therefore, that they might have revived in nature with the return of 
warmer weather, if they had been left unmolested. 
i Fisheries Industries of the United States, 1931. By R. H. Fiedler. Appendix II, Report, Commissioner of Fisheries, 1932 
(1933), pp. 97-440. 
