Atlantic menhaden are abundant in the estuarine and nearshore ocean waters of North America from Nova Scotia to central Florida. They have been taken in commercial quantities from northern Florida to southern Maine. A few individuals have been taken as far north as St. John, New Brunswick, and St. Mary Bay, Nova Scotia. The southern limit seems to be Indian River City, Florida. Spawning occurs in the ocean, while larvae and juveniles utilize coastal estuaries. The adult population stratifies by age and size, with the older and larger individuals farther northward, and the younger and smaller fish in the southern half of the species' range.