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American Shad

American Shad

American Shad are anadromous fish that spend most of their lives in the Atlantic Ocean but return to Pennsylvania's rivers to spawn.

Scientific Name: Alosa sapidissima

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silvery, deep-bodied fish average 2-3 pounds for males and 4-6 pounds for females, with some reaching up to 12 pounds.
  • They have distinctive diamond-shaped scales and typically display a dark spot behind the gill cover followed by smaller spots.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Primarily found in the Delaware River system in Pennsylvania.

Key Locations

  • Delaware River system, including the main Delaware River and its major tributaries like the Schuylkill and Lehigh rivers.
  • The Delaware River from Lambertville, NJ to the Milford, PA region offers the best opportunities.

Specific Spots

  • Deep pools, slow-moving currents, tributary mouths, and areas below dams and falls.

American Shad FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for American Shad in Pennsylvania?

Shad darts in chartreuse, pink, and red/white patterns, small flutter spoons, and 1/32-ounce jig heads with 1.5-2 inch curly tail grubs in chartreuse, pink, and white.

What flies work for American Shad in Pennsylvania?

Clouser minnows, soft-bodied streamers, and weighted flies with bead-chain or hourglass eyes in bright colors like pink, orange, and chartreuse.

When is the best time to fish for American Shad in Pennsylvania?

Best from March through early June, with prime action occurring in the final 60 minutes of daylight. Early morning can be productive when water temperatures are adequate, but afternoon fishing is preferred when water is cold.

How do you catch American Shad in Pennsylvania?

Present lures by casting slightly downstream and across current, allowing offerings to sink near bottom while imparting jigging motions every 3-5 seconds. Fish the entire water column systematically, as shad school in long, narrow formations that are easily missed.

What do American Shad eat?

Filter feeders that primarily consume plankton, copepods, and mysid shrimp in marine environments. During their spawning migration into freshwater they largely cease feeding, though they may occasionally strike lures out of aggression or curiosity.

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