The relatively small number of specimens from the archaeological sites on Colington Island did not reveal many strong trends. At most localities a mixture of estuarine species was present except 31DR33 in which the fresh and brackish water catfish (Ictalurus catus) predominated.

The sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, and the black drum, Pogonias cromis, have crushing dentition to eat resistant organisms and are found around oyster bars prehistorically, and around pier pilings and jetties in more recent times. All of the species (except catfish and gar) are relatively common in shallow estuarine waters and large individuals would be most abundant inshore in the fall. The catfish (Ictalurus catus) is characteristic of fresh or brackish river mouths and would be common in a place like Colington Island during storm periods when water was fresher than usual. Otherwise these fish are restricted to mainland river mouths.

Many of these fish are large indicating well-developed fishing methods. Entrapping nets, harpoons or spears, or hook and line were necessary to capture the large Caranx hippos, Pogonias cromis, or Archosargus probatocephalus. Finer screening or analysis of column samples would probably disclose use of many of the smaller, more abundant edible shore fish such as Menidia, Fundulus, herrings, and anchovies. (Page 79)