Skip to main content

Blueback Herring

Blueback Herring

Blueback Herring are anadromous fish that historically occurred in most of South Carolina's major rivers and are now present in several upstate reservoirs.

These silvery fish with bluish-green backs form schools and serve as crucial forage for striped bass, largemouth bass, and other game fish. In South Carolina's upstate reservoirs, landlocked populations have successfully established and are reproducing.

Scientific Name: Alosa aestivalis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silvery fish with bluish-green backs typically reach 10 inches in length and weigh about 1/3 pound, living up to 8 years.
  • The most distinguishing characteristic is their black peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining).

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found in coastal rivers and streams in the Pee Dee, Santee, and Savannah river drainages.
  • As diadromous fish, they migrate between fresh and saltwater - adults live in the Atlantic Ocean but migrate up freshwater rivers to spawn in the Coastal Plain.

Key Locations

  • Lakes Murray, Thurmond, Hartwell, Russell, Jocassee, Marion, and Moultrie.
  • The Santee-Cooper River system, particularly areas near Wilson Dam and Pinopolis Fish Lock and Dam.
  • The Cooper River, Santee River, and the Santee-Cooper Rediversion Canal.
  • In upstate reservoirs like Lakes Jocassee and Keowee, focus on points and areas where blueback herring schools roam.

Specific Spots

  • Areas near Wilson Dam and Pinopolis Fish Lock and Dam where large schools congregate.
  • Shallow water around bank grass and docks.
  • Areas with hard substrates, swift water flow, and depths where schools are concentrated.
  • In upstate reservoirs, focus on points and areas where blueback herring schools roam as forage for bass.

Blueback Herring FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Blueback Herring in South Carolina?

Herring imitators including 5-inch soft plastic flukes like the Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shad in pearl, white, or blue colors. Rig these weightless Texas-style for shallow water around bank grass and docks, or use weighted swimbait hooks for deeper presentation.

When is the best time to fish for Blueback Herring in South Carolina?

Spring spawning runs from March through April. Spawning occurs from late winter to late spring (March-April) when water temperatures reach about 57°F - this period should be avoided for fishing to protect spawning populations.

How do you catch Blueback Herring in South Carolina?

The key to presentation is straight-line retrieves that mimic herring movement - pull the bait rather than twitching it, as herring move in relatively straight lines unlike shad. Hollow belly swimbaits work well with steady, moderate-to-fast retrieves.

What do Blueback Herring eat?

They're primarily planktivorous, feeding on small fish, copepods, small shrimps, zooplankton, cladocerans (particularly Daphnidae and Bosminidae families), and chironomid larvae.

Where do Blueback Herring live in South Carolina?

Found in coastal rivers and streams in the Pee Dee, Santee, and Savannah river drainages. As diadromous fish, they migrate between fresh and saltwater - adults live in the Atlantic Ocean but migrate up freshwater rivers to spawn in the Coastal Plain.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Blueback Herring.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Blueback Herring water

    Pick Blueback Herring and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Blueback Herring

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Blueback Herring are.

Open the map, filter by Blueback Herring, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

South Carolina licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore South Carolina waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.