The distribution and life history of the white perch, Morone Americana (Gmelin) in the Annapolis River, Nova Scotia

A distribution and life history study of the white perch, Moxone americana was conducted between May and October 1977, in the lower Annapolis River and Estuary, Nova Scotia. Beach seinings were carried out over a.29 km stretch from the causeway at Annapolis Royal to 41.0 km. above Bridgetown. Water temperature and salinity readings were - made at collection sites between 6 July and 16 October, 1977. Specimens ranging in age from 0+ to 7+ years were captured in the area of the river from 2.5 km upstream from. the causeway to 1.0 km_ above Bridgetown at salinities between 0.0 and 23.0% Young-of-the-year first appeared in the collections on 16 July. Most juveniles were captured in the middle estuary. It was determined that this population is not sea-run. Back calculated lengths at annulus formation revealed that annuli are formed at the following total lengths: 1-823 mm;. 2-155.3 mm; 3-197.1 mm; 4+216.4 mm;°5-231.5 mm; 67241.0 mmj'7+250.0 mm. Scale formation was estimated to occur at 7.38 mm. Annulus formation was estimated to occur in late May or early June in the case of the age 1+ fish. Specimens in spawning condition migrated to the spawning ground during the last week in May and the first week in June. Males predominated during the early stages of the run. Fecundity ranged between 100,000 and 400,000 eggs while mean egg diameters ranged between 200 and 77 5yam depending upon the maturity of the ovaries.