Species guide
How to catch American shad
Alosa sapidissima
freshwaterbrackishsaltwatergame fishAlosidae
The American shad is a migratory fish known for its strong swimming and anadromous lifestyle. It travels long distances from the ocean into freshwater rivers to spawn. American shad do not feed during their upstream migration but are active predators when in marine environments.
Where they live
Found in North American Atlantic coastal waters, American shad live in saltwater, brackish estuaries, and freshwater rivers, migrating upriver to spawn and can be found as far as Montreal.
Typical size
Up to about 76 cm
What they eat
- small fish like sand lance and smelt
- insects
- barnacle larvae
- small crustaceans
Best baits
- worms
- small fish strips
- insect imitations
Best lures
- spoons
- small spinners
- soft plastic jigs
How to fish for them
- casting lures near river mouths
- drift fishing with bait
- trolling in estuaries
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