Abstract An otolith-based method that permits rapid and accurate differentiation between hatchery-produced and wild red drum Sciaenops ocellatus was identified. Sagittae from several year-classes of hatchery-produced (both stocked and captive) and wild red drum more than 18 months old were examined. Hatchery fish were spawned in spring, about 6 months before the natural spawning season. On sagittae, the distance from the core to the first annulus (mean = 1,247 μm) for three year-classes of wild fish collected before hatchery releases was significantly larger (P < 0.001) than that for three year-classes of hatchery fish (mean = 690 μm). Although there were differences in core–annulus distance among year-classes of hatchery fish, neither the 99% confidence intervals nor the core–annulus distance ranges overlapped for hatchery and wild fish. Springs-pawned red drum deposited an annulus during the first winter, whereas wild fish deposited an annulus during the second winter, at an age of approximately 18 mont...