Present in the continental shelf waters off the northeastern United States (Ref. 37512).

This species is one of big five historically associated with the commercial fisheries of the lower Chesapeake Bay and the North Carolina sounds. It is taken by haul seine, gill net, and pound traps. Although its current market value is as a live bait fish, it remains in demand as a food fish (fried or salted and boiled) for the older generation. Spot generally exit the Chesapeake before cold weather. In unusual situations, however, they linger and if there is a cold snap, it can succumb in large numbers (Bernie Herman - blherman@email.unc.edu, pers. comm. 01/12).