Seasonal movement patterns and habitat use of sub-adult Striped Bass Morone saxatilis in a highly managed and tidally influenced Pacific Coast Watershed

Abstract Purposely introduced in 1879, Pacific coast Striped Bass Morone saxatilis once supported a commercial fishery and currently supports recreational the San Francisco Estuary Watershed, CA, USA; however, population has been decline for decades. Since little is known about sub-adult behavior on coast, we used acoustic telemetry to investigate seasonal movement patterns habitat use across three regions (bay, delta, river) effects of temperature salinity over 2-year period. Sub-adult differed by year age. In spring, age-I age-II sub-adults moved within delta (60%), river (20%), bay (20%) regions, summer, some individuals (36%), while others remained (42%) (22%). Fall winter showed equal between regions. During 2, age-III fish inhabited region all seasons with exception spring when few migrated up river. Generally, did not inhabit fall or winter. Sub-adults were detected water temperatures < 10 °C occurred most often 20–25 °C. Younger limnetic where older mesohaline polyhaline habitats. Our findings suggest that hotspots have important management implications can be useful address concerns how this non-native fish’s predation impacts native endangered fishes.