Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The American Shad is bluish-green in color along the top of its body, with silvery sides.

A dark spot is present at the top of the gill flap, which is usually followed by a row of smaller spots along the upper side of the body.

They have a tapering, blunt snout. The lower jaw has a pointed tip that fits into a v-shaped notch in upper jaw.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Ocean/Delaware Bay and Tributaries/Delaware River and Tributaries/Inland Bays Open Year-Round Nanticoke River/Tributaries CLOSED – Both commercial and recreational hickory shad are CLOSED to harvest on the Nanticoke River and its tributaries
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	10 in any combination with Hickory Shad
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, Delaware River and tributaries, Nanticoke River and tributaries
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	The American Shad spends most of its life at sea, but swims up freshwater rivers to spawn in the spring. They are primarily a plankton feeder, but will eat small shrimp, and fish eggs.
Did You Know?	American Shad are great fighters when hooked, often making long runs with aerial acrobatics. Because of this, the American Shad is known as the “poor man’s tarpon". They are the largest of all the shads.
Common Lures and Baits	Sinking artificial flies, small jigs, and shad darts are a favorite among American Shad fisherman.
Typical Sizes Caught	American Shad commonly caught are in the range of 15 to 20 inches in length by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 23 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 18 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 5 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 3.5 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	6 pounds 12 ounces Bayard Conaway 1972

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