WOW!! What a winter we have had this year. The creek was frozen over a record number of days leaving us with limited paddling opportunities. But spring is here at last and the creek is coming back to life. The Great Egrets have returned and the fish are jumping!

The abundance of fish species fluctuate from year to year, but one of the most abundant species in the coastal bays is consistently the Mummichog. Often referred to as minnow, Mummichogs are found in brackish and coastal waters such as estuaries and salt marshes along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

If you have helped us drag a seining net at Ayers Creek you have likely seen and held a mummichog. They are typically found in muddy marshes, channels, and grass flats along coastal areas and travel in schools that may contain hundreds of individuals. Indeed, the name mummichog is derived from a Narragansett term which means "going in crowds".

The Mummichog is a popular research subject in embryological, physiological, and toxicological studies. It is noted for its hardiness and ability to tolerate highly variable salinity, temperature fluctuations (43°F to 95°F), and for its ability to withstand very low oxygen levels and survive in heavily polluted ecosystems.

Scientists use Mummichog eggs when teaching embryology, because it is possible to see the eyes and the beating heart. In 1973, the mummichog became the first fish in space when carried on Skylab 3 as part of the biological experiments package. Later space missions by the U.S., such as Bion 3, have also carried mummichog. In addition to their scientific use, Mummichogs are also very popular among fisherman...they make great bait fish.