Striped Bass Egg Abundance Viability in Scotland Neck, Roanoke River, North Carolina, for 1991

Abstract

From 15 April to 14 June 1991, annual production and viability estimates of striped bass, Morone saxarilis, eggs spawned in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, were determined by sampling downstream of the spawning grounds near the town of Scotland Neck, North Carolina, at a site known as Jacob’s Landing (River Mile 102). Results were compared to concurrent sampling conducted upstream at Barnhill’s Landing (River Mile 117), a site closer to the historical spawning grounds. Comparisons of the data sets at the two locations provided information on the effects of reservoir discharge on striped bass spawning activity, and possible effects of sampling location on resultant egg production and viability estimates. At each site, samples were taken by trailing paired nets at the surface from a small boat for five minutes every four hours for 60 days. Data collected at Barnhill’s Landing represent the official egg production and viability estimates each year, so results of the Scotland Neck study are presented in context to the Barnhill’s Landing estimates.