American Shad
American Shad are anadromous members of the herring family found in New York's Hudson River and Delaware River systems, representing part of the mid-Atlantic population.
They spend most of their lives in the Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to Maine, only entering freshwater to spawn. They migrate thousands of miles along the Atlantic coast, summering in the Gulf of Maine and wintering off the mid-Atlantic coast.
Scientific Name: Alosa sapidissima
- These silvery fish are characterized by their diamond-shaped scales and a dark spot behind the gills, often followed by smaller, fainter spots.
- Males average 20 inches while females reach 24 inches, with maximum weights up to 12 pounds.
Fishing in New York
Delaware River
East Branch Delaware River
Susquehanna River
Beaver Kill
Lackawanna River
Chenango River
Rondout Creek
Lehigh River
Tobyhanna Creek
West Branch Delaware River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found in New York's Hudson River and Delaware River systems.
- Historical populations were also found in New York's portion of the Susquehanna River up to Binghamton, but hydropower dams built in the 1920s now block access.
- The species also inhabits streams and coastal waters of Long Island.
Key Locations
- Hudson River from Kingston to Troy, tributaries of the Delaware River, New York's portion of the Susquehanna River up to Binghamton (historically), streams and coastal waters of Long Island.
Specific Spots
- Productive areas included deep pools where shad rest during midday heat, slow-moving currents near tributary mouths, and areas below dams or obstructions.
- In the Hudson River, spawning occurs on sandy, gravelly shoals in the upper half from Kingston to Troy, with nursery habitat extending from Kingston south to Newburgh Bay.
American Shad FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for American Shad in New York?
Effective lures included bright-colored shad darts in chartreuse, hot pink, and white, along with small flutter spoons and 1/32-ounce jig heads with curly-tailed grubs.
What flies work for American Shad in New York?
For fly fishing, successful patterns were small, flashy flies like Clouser minnows with bright colors (pink, orange, chartreuse over white), soft-bodied streamers, and micro jigs with feathering.
When is the best time to fish for American Shad in New York?
When fishing was allowed, the prime season was late spring during the spawning migration, typically around mid-May in the Hudson River when water temperatures reached 65.3°F. Peak spawning temperatures and optimal fishing occurred between 60-68°F.
How do you catch American Shad in New York?
Techniques involved casting across current and allowing lures to drift near bottom with light jigging motions every few seconds, as shad respond to erratic movement.
What do American Shad eat?
In freshwater, they primarily feed on zooplankton including copepods and mysid shrimp, though feeding intensity decreases during spawning migration.
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