Sediments in estuaries near industrialized areas along the east coast of the United States, such as Chesapeake, Raritan, and Newark Bays, are contaminated with an array of anthropogenic compounds including PCBs, PAHs and pesticides. Young-of-the-year winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) that settle on contaminated sediments risk both sub-lethal and lethal effects. Accumulation of these compounds through respiration, ingestion, and transdermal uptake has the potential to alter behavior and reduce the ability of fish to perform essential ecological functions. In controlled experiments using both wild-caught and laboratory-reared fish, we examined survival, behavioral responses, and contaminant accumulation by winter flounder (20-30 mm SL) that were exposed to sediments for 7 to 14 days. Fish held on sediment from Elizabeth River, Virginia displayed significantly higher mortality and higher predation by common or sand shrimp (Crangon crangon) than fish held on (relatively) uncontaminated York River, Virginia sediment. Fish held on Newark Bay, New Jersey sediment had a decreased ability to exploit an available food resource (Artemia sp. nauplii). Alteration of such essential behaviors is expected to reduce growth, increase susceptibility to predation, and limit long-term viability of a local population. Ongoing work seeks to determin variation among life history stages.