Seasonal Movements of the Winter Flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, in Two Contrasting Inshore Locations in Newfoundland

Seasonal movements of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum), were examined in a protected inlet and an exposed cove in Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Winter flounders remained at both sites except to feed in summer and to avoid extremes of turbulence and ice scouring from fall to spring. In general, winter flounders remain inshore in summer where water temperatures and food are suitable. With gonad ripening in the fall and early winter, they remain in, or move into, shallow water where they will spawn that winter (southern habitats) or spring (northern habitats). During winter in northern habitats, winter flounders will move to deeper water to avoid extremes of turbulence and ice scouring. The evidence indicates that there is no avoidance of cold temperatures in winter.