UTERAmerican shad fishing in New York freshwater
In New York freshwater, American shad peak May and are around April–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Hudson River and the upper Delaware at Hancock.
Not in New York freshwater this month.
American shad in New York freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeakHudson River and the upper Delaware at Hancock.
- JuneLeaving
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish American shad near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain
Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for American shad
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 50–72°F water, best at 58–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch American shad in New York freshwater?
Peak season is May. American shad are in New York freshwater April–June. May: Hudson River and the upper Delaware at Hancock.
Where do American shad hold in New York freshwater?
Look on river, bridge — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.
What is the best bait for American shad in New York freshwater?
Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for American shad in New York freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.
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All about American shad · New York fresh water, the whole year