A detailed, data-driven look at the 1961 Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery, with clear findings on age, size, and regional fishing patterns. This report summarizes the major features of the 1961 purse seine fishery for Atlantic menhaden and compares them to earlier years. It covers how the catch was distributed across seasons and four geographic areas, how many purse seine sets were made, and what sizes and ages dominated the catch. The publication also discusses trends in fish abundance and the implications for future fishing in different regions. Using year-by-year samples, the book presents length and weight data, sex composition, and the relative contribution of different age classes. It highlights the prominence of the 1958 year class (age-3) in the 1961 catch and notes size differences among age groups, with age-1 and age-2 fish generally larger than age-3 fish, and older fish remaining similar in size to prior years. Seasonal and regional breakdowns of catch, sets, and catch per set Age, size (fork length and weight), and sex distributions in purse seine catches Discussion of potential future abundance and regional stock implications Ideal for readers interested in mid-20th century fisheries data, statistical summaries, and the historical context of menhaden fishing along the Atlantic coast.