UTERAmerican shad fishing in Washington freshwater
In Washington freshwater, American shad peak June and are around May–July, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Columbia shad below Bonneville — millions of them, the biggest run anywhere.
Not in Washington freshwater this month.
American shad in Washington freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeakColumbia shad below Bonneville — millions of them, the biggest run anywhere.
- JulyLeaving
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish American shad near Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan
The Columbia's walleye, smallmouth, shad, salmon and sturgeon, Puget Sound steelhead rivers, Lake Chelan's lakers and kokanee, and eastern Washington's lowland lakes.
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 Washington freshwater?
Peak season is June. American shad are in Washington freshwater May–July. June: Columbia shad below Bonneville — millions of them, the biggest run anywhere.
Where do American shad hold in Washington freshwater?
Look on river, bridge — around Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan, Skagit River, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt.
What is the best bait for American shad in Washington 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 Washington freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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All about American shad · Washington fresh water, the whole year