T. P. Bassista and K. J. Hartman, West Virginia University, Division of Forestry, Department of Fisheries, PO Box 6125, Morgantown, WV 26505

Abstract. Bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) eggs, larvae, and adults were collected in the Hudson River Estuary from May through September, 1996 and 1997, to determine spawning location and season, daily spawning time, and spawning frequency. Spawning takes place in the entire estuary where salinities are greater than 5 ppt. The spawning season started in late May to early June in 1996 and 1997, respectively, when water temperatures reached 18 degrees (C). Spawning was completed by September for both years. We found that the bay anchovy begin spawning by 2200 hours and were done spawning by 0400 hours. Greater than 90% of adult female bay anchovies spawn on a given evening. We also found that greater than 98% of spawning fish were 2 years old or greater. The findings of this study differ somewhat from that observed in the Chesapeake Bay. In the Chesapeake, anchovy spawners are primarily age-1 fish. The differing reproductive demographics suggests a latitudinal difference in bay anchovy populations.