About two hundred species of fish in the Chesapeake Bay and about 40 in the Rhode River. Some are permanent residents and some just use the Bay during special times in their life cycle.

In the Rhode River, the fish are generally small, reflecting the role of the subestuary as a nursery for the Bay's fish population. The smaller residents include the killifishes, spot, anchovies, silversides, hogchokers, menhaden, pumpkinseed, and gobies. They are found most often in shallow water where the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) provides food and protection.

In this station students will sample a near-shore fish communities using a seine net. The students will identify some of the common fish of the Rhode River and study the animals closely. Students will mostly catch fish, but there is a good chance they may also catch blue crabs, grass shrimp and comb jellies. Groups will have the opportunity to share any unusual catches with their classmates.

Fish feed in a variety of ways, and different species have different shaped mouths depending on the kind of food they eat. At this Estuary Chesapeake station, students will learn about the relation between fish feeding behavior and their anatomy.

Objectives

At this station, students will learn to:

• Catch fish using a seine net.
• Handle fish without injuring them.
• Identify common fish species of the Rhode River.
• Recognize features of the fish including coloring and mouth shape, and associate physical features with functions.

Science standards

Maryland Content Standards
Going Fishing Science Indicators:
1.0 Skills & Processes: 1.5.5, 1.5.6
3.0 Life Science: 3.5.6, 3.5.8, 3.5.9, 3.5.12
6.0 Environmental Science: 6.5.2, 6.5.3, 6.5.4

Virginia Standards of Learning
Going Fishing Science Indicators
Scientific Investigation, Reason & Logic: 5.1, 5.6
Living Systems: 4.5
Resources: 4.8