Locating upriver spawning reaches of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) on the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers via ichthyoplankton surveys and the examination of relative juvenile abundance and distribution in relation to river discharge

In the case of anadromous fish, extensive and fluctuating habitat use renders the delineation of spawning and nursery areas problematic. For a complete picture of essential habitat, current and historic habitat use, in conjunction with the factors influencing spawning/nursery habitat choices should be described. This study attempted to determine the upper extent of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) spawning and examined hydrographic influences on juvenile recruitment in the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers. Project: AFC - 29 Completion Report 2000 Annual Report Grant no. NA96FA0192