The small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) is an important fishery species in China that plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of the Yellow Sea. Species distribution models (SDMs) can be used to forecast the distribution of fishery species by establishing the relationships between the spatio–temporal distribution of a population and environmental factors. In this study, we used an SDM to analyze the spatio–temporal distribution of small yellow croaker and its relationships with environmental factors. Spatio–temporal distribution was determined based on data collected from seasonal bottom trawl surveys in southern waters off the Shandong Peninsula from 2016 to 2017. Environmental factors were initially selected based on Pearson correlation analysis to determine whether these were significantly correlated, and to ensure that the variables used in the model were independent, with the best model being determined based on a minimum Akaike information criterion (AIC). The results revealed significant seasonal variations in the spatial distribution of small yellow croaker, the highest and lowest abundances of which occurred in summer and winter, respectively. The pattern of spatial distribution showed a clear seasonal variation, with relative abundance being high in the southern area (near 35°N) during spring; contrastingly, in summer and autumn, the highest relative abundance was found in the northern coastal waters (36°N), and in winter in the shallow inshore waters of less than 50 m in depth. Generalized additive model analysis indicated that depth and sea bottom temperature have a significant influence on the distribution of small yellow croaker. Relative abundance increased with depth, with the highest abundance being located in the waters close to the 50 m isobath. Within a given temperature range, the abundance of small yellow croaker showed a seasonal correlation with sea bottom temperature, with the highest relative abundance being correlated with a temperature of approximately 18–20℃. The calculated optimal temperature ranges for small yellow croaker were 8–10℃ in spring, 10–14℃ in summer, 16–20℃ in autumn, and 9–12℃ in winter. These results conceivably reflect migration of the small yellow croaker, as well as the variable and complex hydrological environment of the Yellow Sea. Furthermore, there are certain changes in dietary preference during the life history of the small yellow croaker; thus, in addition to environmental factors, prey source and predators may represent factors contributing to the observed distribution of this species.