This study of the larval fishes of Wheeler Reservoir deals with the data from the first year (1971) of a continuing, preoperational icthyofaunal monitoring program in the area of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Electric Generating Plant on Wheeler Reservoir, Alabama. The larval fish study is one part of a comprehensive program now being conducted by the Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife Development Branch, United States Tennessee Valley Authority, Florence, Alabama.

My procedure in this study is to present and interpret data on the occurrence, abundance and distribution of populations of larval fishes from three areas of Wheeler Reservoir which are strategically located with respect to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. My purpose in presenting these data is to establish a preliminary operational definition of a reservoir species of fish.