The paper demonstrates that scales are not suitable for back readings, due to a poor legibility of their central parts, the peripheral regions being poorly legible in older fish scales as well. One can presume that the scales begin to grow as late as in the second year of life. Most otoliths (sagitta) can be used in back calculations. Based on measurements of radii of various growth zones on the otolith cross-section, mean lengths attained in subsequent years of life were calculated. The von Bertalanffy growth equation parameters were estimated as follows: L∞ = 57.48 cm; K = 1.04; t0 =0.439 yr. The mean length at first maturity was estimated at 37.5 cm, i.e., 65% of L∞.