DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF LARVAL FISH IN HAMILTON HARBOR, A SEVERELY DEGRADED EMBAYMENT OF LAKE-ONTARIO

Larvae of 34 fish species were collected during 1985 and 1987 in Hamilton Harbour, a severely degraded ecosystem on Lake Ontario. Fish larvae were collected mainly in or adjacent to low-gradient, turbid water, near vegetated areas. Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), which was collected mainly in turbid nearshore areas, and alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), which was collected mainly in relatively clear open water, represented 85% of the total catch. Cyprinids led in the number of species collected and were present in all habitats, but formed only 5% of the total catch. Limited spawning and nursery habitat tends to confine most species to the western extremity of the harbor.