Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY 12561 American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a
migratory species
that has a long history in the Hudson River. Native and colonial Americans fished for shad for sustenance often smoking the flesh and consuming the roe (i.e. eggs) as a delicacy.
Can you fish shad in NY?
In 2010, New York State banned fishing for American shad , halting one of the region’s most historic industries and ending a valley tradition, the Hudson River shad bake, that brought people down to the river each spring.
Is shad fishing allowed in the Hudson River?
The main impact on shad, however, remains commercial fishing. Though it has been illegal to catch shad in the Hudson River since 2010 , shad are still harvested in the Atlantic Ocean, both as the primary target and as an accidental “bycatch” while boats are trawling for other species.
Are shad still running?
California’s shad runs generally start in early to mid-April and last through at least June.
Is it legal to use bluegill as bait in New York?
You NY State laws Fish taken may be used only for bait in hook-and-line fishing These are the only circumstances where the use of seines, traps, cast nets, and gill nets are permitted unless a commercial license has been obtained.
How do you fish for shad?
The best bait for American shad are small, artificial lures including jigs, spinners, spoons and similar lures Shiny or brightly colored lures work best, although shad also are known to bite a shiny bare hook, especially attached to a swivel to give it some swaying action.
What tide is best for shad fishing?
Mitchell has discovered that tides are most critical when fishing for shad.
slack water
, both high and low , is the best time to try, and low slack is usually the best.
Where is the best place to catch shad?
In the Western US, the Colombia and Sacramento rivers are the best places to fish shad. In the Eastern US, the best place to find shad is in the Connecticut river. However, shad can be found in rivers as far south as Florida.
What time of year is best for shad?
The best time to fish for shad is when they return to spawn from May until mid-July It’s easier to catch the shad swimming upstream by facing a strong current. These fish will bite just about any small lure or fly. Small, bright colored jigs with or without bucktail or plastic grub tails are preferred by many anglers.
What type of fish are in Hudson River?
- Striped Bass. Best chance of a catch: May, June, July, September, October, November.
- You can identify this fish by its thick black stripes. A striped bass can weigh between three to more than 40 pounds, and you can find them near the pilings of piers and around rocks
- Weakfish
- Porgy
- Summer Flounder.
Was there salmon in the Hudson River?
Salmon in the Hudson River. The Connecticut River was famous for salmon in
colonial days
, and the species even frequented the Housatonic River some 50 miles due east of the Hudson (Kendall, 1935:78).
Where can I fish in the Hudson River?
The Hudson River estuary just below the Troy Dam is an unmissable hotspot. The upper Hudson River around Stillwater and Hudson Falls also provides Walleye action. Finally, there’s a variety of Perch to be found in these waters, with White and Yellow being the most popular.
What fish are in upstate NY?
- Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Blue Gill/Pumpkinseed, White Perch, White Bass, & Crappie.
- Walleye, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, & Smallmouth Bass.
-
lake trout
, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead/Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, & Atlantic Salmon.
Are there fish in the Hudson?
Striped bass are one of the most well-known fish in the entire Hudson River , prized by generations of fishermen. Many anglers believe striped bass are not contaminated with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
How big are the fish in the Hudson River?
The Hudson’s Largest Fish Atlantic sturgeon may live more than 60 years, reaching a weight of 800 pounds and a length of fourteen feet They are armored with bony plates, evidence of a lineage extending back to the age of dinosaurs.
Is chumming legal in New York?
There is no law against it in NY State.
How long can you keep bait in NY?
The buyer must retain the receipt while in possession of the baitfish. Baitfish without a receipt or with a receipt that is older than 10 days shall be considered uncertified bait.
Can you cast net bait in NY?
Cast nets are legal in NY No license needed for recreational use.
maximum size net
allowed is 10 feet in NY waters.
Can you eat shad?
” Shad is a great fish to eat , it’s very healthy for you, and you’re supporting a local fishery that’s sustainable.” Shad, a large member of the herring family, are famously bony fish. Cooks get around that by baking the fish to soften the bones. But for most people, the real prize is the shad roe.
Where do shad go during the day?
Often, it is to a mossbed, treeline or other type of vegetation; it is not simply to open, shallow water. “Then, early in the morning, these same shad leave and head toward deeper water , where they roam throughout the day.
What happens to fish in the winter?
Some species, like koi and gobies, may burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs and other amphibians, but most fish simply school in the deepest pools and take a “winter rest.” In this resting state, fishes’ hearts slow down, their needs for food and oxygen decrease, and they move about very little.
Is Hudson River fresh water?
The Hudson River is the source of fresh water for the Hudson River Estuary The Hudson River begins at Lake Tear of the Clouds, 315 miles north of NYC. Fresh water collects in this lake from rain and snow melt and eventually flows downstream until it reaches the Hudson Estuary.
Where are the herring in the Hudson River?
The Hudson River acts as a nursery for the newly hatched young of year river herring and in early fall they begin moving out of the estuary into near shore coastal areas River herring are rarely found in the New York portion of the Delaware River.
What is the biggest shad ever caught?
The American shad is the largest shad species. The biggest one ever caught on record was two feet and six inches long They usually feed on plankton as well as small crustaceans and fishes.
What is the best bait for shad?
- #1 – Spinnerbait. The spinnerbait is the best
- #2 – Swim Jig. I love a white swim jig here
- #3 – Swimbait. This is a 4” to 7” size tail thumping swim bait
- #4 – Finesse Swim Bait
- #5 – Hollow Frog
- #6 – Shallow Crankbait
- #7 – Buzzbait
- #8 – Chatterbait.
Is a tarpon a shad?
Even though they look like they should be cousins, Hickory Shad aren’t related to Tarpon or Ladyfish They are actually in the Herring family, and like Herring, they are anadromous meaning that they spend most of their life in saltwater, but return to their birthplace up freshwater rivers to spawn.
Can a fish cut you?
Many fish have dorsal fins, or fins on their backs, that can cut into your hand if you’re not prepared.
Can fishes feel pain?
“ Fish do feel pain It’s likely different from what humans feel, but it is still a kind of pain.” At the anatomical level, fish have neurons known as nociceptors, which detect potential harm, such as high temperatures, intense pressure, and caustic chemicals.
Is it cruel to catch-and-release fish?
Catch-and-release fishing is cruelty disguised as “sport.” Studies show that fish who are caught and then returned to the water suffer such severe physiological stress that they often die of shock.
How many rods can you fish with in NY?
Andrew Cuomo that allows anglers to have three rods , instead of two, in any body of freshwater in New York. Being able to use an additional pole will increase a fisherman’s chances of catching a fish.
Can I use perch as bait in NY?
Any legally caught fish(except Carp, goldfish, lamprey larvae and round goby) can be used as bait in NY , they must count towards your daily limit and they can’t be transported over land. Interesting.
Can I use goldfish as bait?
In most states it is illegal to use live goldfish as fishing bait in order to prevent the release of invasive species that can damage native ecosystems. However, there are some states that still allow the use of dead or living goldfish when fishing.
How big do shad get?
Physical Characteristics. Common length for female adult shad is 24.3 in and common length for male adult shad is 19.7 inches The maximum reported length for an American shad is 29.9 inches. The maximum published weight for American shad is 12 pounds 2 ounces.
What size hooks for shad fishing?
Tackle. For smaller elf a 4/0 hook is adequate When the bigger blue elf are specifically targeted, nothing smaller than a 6/0 will satisfy the experienced angler.
Is shad a good bait?
Shad is an excellent choice for catfish bait all year long when targeting blue and channel catfish , in fact, it’s my top catfish bait. There’s no “season” for when you can and cannot use them. If they’re feeding on shad you can use it for bait and it’s rare they won’t be feeding on fish.
What kind of fish eat shad?
Fresh cut Shad can be used to catch a variety of fish including Sand Trout, Spotted Seatrout, and even Redfish Using fresh dead Shad on a trotline to catch catfish is effective and does not require any special care other than keeping the bait cool until it is ready to go on the hook.
What do shad eat?
Feeding. In the ocean, American shad feed on plankton, crustaceans and small fish Adults stop feeding once they begin their upstream spawning migration.
Citations
https://njskylands.com/odfishsha
https://www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/absolute-best-seafood-markets-in-nyc.html
Shad
https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/04/15/the-return-of-the-shad/