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How to Identify Shad

The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is what biologists term an anadromous fish, living in the ocean but returning inland to freshwater to spawn. Native to the East Coast, the American shad occurs along parts of the West Coast after its successful introduction to the area. Shad make their way up rivers that empty into the ocean in great numbers, known as spawning runs, at which time anglers catch them. Certain features of the shad make it easy to recognize.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for a fish that as an adult, averages between 2 lbs. and 5 lbs. American shad can be up to 30 inches long and weigh as much as 13 lbs. Females are usually larger than the males. As a juvenile, an American shad is about 2 to 3 inches long as it makes its way downstream and to the ocean.
- 2
  Observe the large silvery scales that cover the body of the American shad. The back of the fish is a bluish to green tint.
- 3
  Examine the areas behind the gill plates of an American shad, looking for an obvious black spot. This black dot is on the upper side of the fish directly behind its gills. There are multiple, smaller dots in a row extending from the larger one, down the side of the shad.
- 4
  Study the head and the mouth of the American shad. The mouth has a transparent look to it. The head comprises about 1/5 of the total length of a shad, according to the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes." The width of a shad's eye is considerably less than the width of the shad's snout.
- 5
  Inspect the tail of the American shad. It should seem small in comparison to the rest of the shad's body. The tail of a shad has a deep fork in it as well.

Nature