If able, shad will migrate well upstream of tidal waters to spawn in swift (0.3 to 0.9 m/s), shallow runs.Īmerican shad historically supported some of the largest fisheries on the east coast.
The other coastal rivers with known spawning runs are: Palmer River, Taunton River, Jones River, the Indian Head and South rivers in the North River watershed, Neponset River, and Charles River. The Connecticut River and Merrimack River have relatively large runs of shad that support recreational fisheries and are managed by multi-jurisdiction management plans. In Massachusetts, shad spawning runs occur in two large rivers bordering several states and seven smaller sized coastal rivers. Shad can routinely reach a weight of 4-8 pounds and 2 feet in length with larger individuals possible.Īmerican shad were formerly abundant on the Atlantic coast with spawning runs occurring in most moderate or larger size rivers over the extensive range from Florida to the Canadian Maritimes. Shad are closely related to river herring and look similar, with the exceptions of a series of dark spots on their side and a larger size. American shad are anadromous meaning they spend most of their lives in the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn. This sea-run lifestyle is not all that common and found in less than 1% of the fish on the planet.
Diadromous fish are those that migrate between fresh and salt waters to complete their reproductive life history. The diadromous American shad is one of the largest members of the herring family, Clupeidae.
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