Fisheries management, Habitat management, Species status assessment

American shad is the largest herring found in North America, growing up to two feet long and up to six pounds in weight. American shad can be found along the Atlantic coast, from Florida all the way up to Canada. Like the Atlantic salmon, American shad are also anadromous. In May, adults are collected at the Essex Dam in Lawrence, MA, and are brought back to the facility to spawn. American shad spawn at night, with each female releasing upwards of 300,000 eggs! About 10 days after the eggs hatch, we release the young fry into the Merrimack River. The released American shad fry will mature to adulthood and return to the Merrimack River to spawn their own offspring.

American shad eggs are obtained from adult shad returning to the Merrimack River. The eggs are incubated at the hatchery, and once they hatch, the juveniles are released into sections of the Merrimack River and other New England rivers.

Facilities

Brook trout fry waiting to be measured
The Nashua National Fish Hatchery is one of the oldest national fish hatcheries still operating today, established in 1898. Programs at the hatchery support Atlantic salmon, landlocked salmon, American shad and other aquatic species restoration efforts in many New England waterbodies.

Programs

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.

Species