The spotted seatrout is a sleek, silvery fish with black, round spots scattered across the back. (Duane Raver/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
The spotted seatrout is a sleek, silvery fish with black, round spots scattered across the back. It visits the Chesapeake Bay from spring through autumn.
Appearance:
Sleek, elongated body
Dark, grayish-green back
Black, round spots scattered across the back and dorsal fin to the tail
Iridescent sides
Silvery belly
Deep notch in the dorsal fin
Squared tail fin
Large mouth with two large canine teeth in the upper jaw
Grows to 14-20 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds
Habitat:
Lives in shallow, sandy-bottom areas
Most often found near bay grass beds, pilings, jetties and other structures
Range:
Visits the Chesapeake Bay from April-November
Most common in the lower Bay but can be found as far north as Annapolis
Leaves the Bay in autumn to migrate southward
Feeding:
Preys upon small fish such as anchovies
Feeds mostly in the morning
One of the Bay’s top predators
Predators:
Larger predatory fish
Ospreys and other predatory birds
Voice:
Makes a drumming or purring sound
Spotted Seatrout courtesy of Sciaenid Acoustics Research Team, East Carolina University
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Spawns from late May-July at night in the salty waters near the Bay’s mouth
Females may spawn 9-60 times and release as many as 3-20 million eggs during a single spawning season
Larvae hatch 18 hours after fertilization. Currents carry them to brackish-water nursery areas (usually shallow bay grass beds)
At 6-8 weeks old, juveniles begin to form schools with individuals of similar size
Matures at 2-4 years old
Can live for 15-18 years
Other Facts:
Also known as specs or speckled trout
A popular sport fish
The world record spotted seatrout weighed in at 17 pounds, 7 ounces
A member of the drum family, which includes spot, weakfish, red drum, black drum and Atlantic croaker. All drums are able to make a loud drumming or croaking sound by vibrating their swim bladder using special muscles.
Sources and Additional Information:
Fishes of Chesapeake Bay by Edward O. Murdy, Ray S. Birdsong and John A. Musick
