Fish populations in the Neuse River, North Carolina, were studied near a steam electric plant which included a low-head dam as part of the installation. The purpose of the study was to describe the fish population of a moderate-sized upper coastal plain river, and to provide insight in to the distribution of fishes relative to the dam. Fish were collected by gill netting, fyke netting, electrofishing, seining, and trawling to examine the various species and sizes of fishes present. Sampling was conducted over a I-year period to include seasonal changes in the fish population. Fifty-two species offish were collected including several estuarine forms, although the study area was located at approximately river mile 140. Several species of anadromous fishes were collected, but of these, only American shad were abundant. Little difference was observed in fish populations among sampling stations, and there is evidence that fish negotiate the dam either over the dam during high flow periods or via the fish ladder.
