Blueback Herring
Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) are anadromous fish native to New Jersey's Atlantic coastal waters, ranging from Nova Scotia to northern Florida.
Scientific Name: Alosa aestivalis
- Blueback Herring are silvery with deep bluish-green backs, modified spiny scales called scutes along their belly, and a distinctive black to dusky peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining).
- They typically measure 11 inches commonly, with maximum lengths reaching 15.7 inches and weights up to 0.44 pounds.
Fishing in New Jersey
Delaware River
Round Valley Reservoir
Raritan Bay
Millstone River
Spruce Run Reservoir
Lawrence Brook
Raritan River
Lake Nockamixon
Washington Canal
South Branch Raritan River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to New Jersey's Atlantic coastal waters, ranging from Nova Scotia to northern Florida.
- They spawn in brackish water or freshwater rivers, preferring swift stream flow and hard substrates.
Key Locations
- Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren County lakes, and Spruce Run Reservoir in Hunterdon County.
Specific Spots
- Swift-flowing water with hard substrates.
Blueback Herring FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
When is the best time to fish for Blueback Herring in New Jersey?
Spawning typically occurs when water temperatures reach 57°F, usually in late winter to late spring. In trout-stocked waters, netting and trapping is prohibited from pre-season closure through June 15, with restricted gear allowed afterward.
How do you catch Blueback Herring in New Jersey?
Standard baitfish collection methods using hook and line, dip nets, minnow traps, cast nets, umbrella nets, and seines with specific size restrictions.
What do Blueback Herring eat?
These fish are primarily planktivorous, feeding on small fish, copepods, small shrimps, zooplankton, cladocerans (particularly Daphnidae and Bosminidae families), chironomid larvae, and gastropods. They're efficient filter feeders with closely-spaced gill rakers.
Where do Blueback Herring live in New Jersey?
Native to New Jersey's Atlantic coastal waters, ranging from Nova Scotia to northern Florida. They spawn in brackish water or freshwater rivers, preferring swift stream flow and hard substrates.
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