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Fishes of Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay, this country's largest estuary has
been ranked as third in the nation in fishery catch. Only the Atlantic
and Pacific ocean exceed the Bay in production. Approximately 295 fish
species can be found in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Some of the
most sought after by both commercial and sport fisherman are the migratory
species.
Anadromous fish, such as striped bass, herring and shad,
spend most of their adult lives in saltier water but return each year
to spawn in freshwater. Catadromous species, like the American eel,
live in freshwater and return to the ocean to spawn. Semi-anadromous
species, like white perch and yellow perch, live in fresh to brackish
waters of the Chesapeake Bay and migrate to upstream freshwater to spawn.
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Last updated:
October 29, 2008
