Early Life History of Striped Bass in the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Vicinity

Abstract

Abstract The spawning season of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the vicinity of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C & D) Canal (between upper Chesapeake Bay and the lower Delaware River) usually extended from mid-April through mid-June (1973–1977), but most of the eggs and the resultant larvae were produced each year during a short period of intensive spawning at water temperatures of 13.5–18.0 C. Spawning was centered in two areas, upper Chesapeake Bay (south of Turkey Point) and the western part of the C & D Canal. Net eastward flow of tidal currents in the C & D Canal transported most of the eggs and larvae spawned there to the Delaware River where survival usually was poor. Eggs, yolk-sac larvae, and early postyolk-sac larvae were most abundant near the bottom of the navigation channel. Increases in current velocity from western to eastern parts of the study area decreased vertical stratification of each life stage. Movement from the channel to inshore areas began shortly after absorption of the yolk. Y...