Shad Season Nears: Study Highlights How Better Fish Passage Could Rebuild Run

AUGUSTA, Maine - Anglers across Maine are gearing up for the thrilling spring arrival of American shad in Maine rivers. Known for their powerful runs and strong fight on light tackle, shad provide a short but exciting seasonal challenge. Popular fishing spots include the lower Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, Saco River, Mousam River, Penobscot River, and Narraguagus River.

Shad have a storied history. During the American Revolutionary War, large runs on the Delaware River helped feed George Washington's troops after a harsh winter.

Once abundant in Atlantic coastal rivers, the shad population today is considered depleted due to several factors including inadequate passage at dams. Despite restoration efforts that have contributed to increasing adult returns to Maine rivers, much of their historic spawning habitat today lies upstream of hydropower dams, where fish passage is often limited or ineffective. Statewide there are 23 rivers that have historical or known populations of American shad, however 18 have a mainstem dam that limits upstream passage. Five of these rivers have no capacity for fish passage beyond the first dam. Yet with over 2,545 river kilometers of potential habitat upstream of these dams, the potential for recovery is significant.

To support efforts to rebuild the shad population, Department of Marine Resources (DMR) scientists and partners have published a study that identifies standards for fish passage at hydroelectric dams that will allow the shad population to recover.

The new study in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society shows that rebuilding shad runs requires very high fish passage - often more than 80 percent of adults need to pass upstream, with high survival for downstream migrants. "Our analysis shows populations can recover, but dams must allow a very high percentage of fish to successfully migrate," said Lars J. Hammer, lead author of the study.

"Maine still has tremendous potential for stronger shad runs," added Sean Ledwin, Director of the Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat. "This study provides a framework for making fish passage decisions at dams that will support the restoration of this iconic recreational spring fishery and the many ecosystem benefits shad provide.

Read the full study here.

While the commercial harvest of shad in Maine waters was closed in 1998, the state has since allowed limited a recreational harvest of shad, restricting the harvest to two fish per day using only hook and line gear.

Shad typically arrive in mid to late May, offering a dynamic start to the spring fishing season. Anglers wishing to target shad should have the appropriate Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife freshwater license or saltwater fishing registry documentation before heading out.

Information on American shad can be found on the DMR website.