Jean McCrae Oregon Dept. The northern anchovy is distributed from Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada, to the gulf of Mexico. Adults are pelagic and are found in estuaries, near-shore areas, and out to 98 miles offshore, from the surface to 164 fm deep.
Juveniles are also pelagic and abundant in shallow near-shore areas and estuaries.
Adults and juveniles form tightly packed schools. In the northern subpopulation, spawning appears to be associated with the Columbia River plume, which may provide a stable and productive environment for egg and larval survival. The northern anchovy is a broadcast spawner and spawns in batches each year. Spawning can occur throughout the year and the timing varies with areas. Off Oregon, spawning occurs from June to August.