To estimate the early stage fish resources of four major Chinese carp species and the effects of ecological regulation on fish reproduction, we collected samples of fish eggs and larvae from the Honghu section of the Yangtze River from May 2014 to July 2016. A total of 56 fish eggs and 74815 larvae were collected. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix accounted for 69.64% and 75.73% of the total numbers, respectively. From 2014 to 2016, we estimated there were 1.11×10⁸ , 0.95×10⁸ , and 0.94×10⁸ ind eggs of the four major Chinese carps drifted through the Honghu section, respectively; meanwhile, there were 7.63×10⁸ , 15.36×10⁸ , and 27.64×10⁸ ind larvae, respectively. Larval density was significantly and positively correlated with water flow, water temperature, and water level (P＜0.01). The GAM model indicated that the density of the larvae showed an upward trend, which was followed by a slight decrease within the water temperature range of 18.1–26.6 ; ℃ overall, it was significantly positively linearly correlated with flow. Compared to the previous century, the resource quantity of the four major Chinese carp in the Honghu reaches of the Yangtze River decreased; however, the location of their spawning grounds did not change significantly. Ecological regulation promoted the reproductive activities of the four major carp species in the Honghu reaches; however, the effect was weaker than that in the Yidu and Jingzhou reaches, which are closer to the dam. It is recommended that important spawning grounds be demarcated and labeled and that publicity and protection be strengthened.