From Cape Cod southward around the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Campeche, Mexico.

HABITS:

Seatrout is tolerant to low salinities (520 ppm), and frequent estuarine and brackishwater, as well as shallow-water grass flats. Migration is very limited. Optimum temperature range is 59-81° F.

SPAWNING:

Females become mature at about 9.5 in., males at about 9 in. Spawning takes place in deep channels during late spring and throughout the summer, lasting in some areas until November. Large females may release over 1.5 million eggs during a spawning season.

GROWTH:

Females are believed to live at least seven years and males about six. Adults can weigh between 1-3 lb. However, the peak weight is 15 lb.

USES:

The spotted seatrout is one of the most important commercial and sport fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. In 1992 over 703 mt were harvested from the Gulf, with Louisiana having the highest yield. Sport catch is substantially greater than commercial harvest, with a catch of 18,188,000 reported for the Gulf in 1992.

CULTURE:

A desirable fish from a marketing standpoint, but no more than research has been done on rearing early stages. The tiny size of the eggs suggests that mass-rearing might prove a stumbling block in a commercial seatrout farming operation.

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