The distribution and abundance of larval fish in a flood control reservoir were studied in the spring and summer of 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976. Only gizzard shad larvae (Dorosoma cepedianum) were consistently collected in large numbers in the limnetic habitat. Gizzard shad larvae were more abundant at the upper than at the lower end of the reservoir. They concentrated at the surface during the day and dispersed from the surface at night. Bluegill larvae (Lepomis macrochirus) were relatively abundant in 1976 but were uncommon in 1975. They were more uniformly distributed throughout the reservoir than shad larvae and were no more abundant at the upper than at the lower end of the reservoir. Soon after yolk-sac absorption, at least a fraction of the bluegill larvae migrated into the limnetic zone and returned to the littoral zone after only a short interval.