Abstract: Based on data collected from four trips of trawl surveys in offshore water of southern Zhejiang in 2015-2016, a generalized additive model was used to analyze the distribution of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) and its relationship with environmental factors. The results showed that the highest resource abundance occurred in the summer trip, primarily in Yushan fishing ground with an average density of 500.74 kg·h^-1·km^-2. Environmental factors influencing the density and distribution of small yellow croaker changed with season. The effect of environmental factors on the resource density of small yellow croaker was not significant in autumn. In spring, the small yellow croaker mainly distributed in waters with high salinity, while both sea bottom temperature and salinity had negative correlation with resource density of small yellow croaker in summer, and the fish habited in Yushan waters with middle temperature and high salinity. In winter, water temperature had a positive relationship with resource density of small yellow croaker which primarily distributed in waters of outside stations with suitable temperature. Generally, the distribution characteristic of small yellow croaker accorded to its migration habit. It was hard to explain the relations between environmental factors and resource density of small yellow croaker, which needed to further study. The results are helpful for understanding the living behavior and the conservation and management of the small yellow croaker stock in offshore water of southern Zhejiang.