Jimmy M. Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Does anyone know of a resource to learn about seasonal movement of thread fin shad in upper Midwest rivers systems? I've seen smallies bustin them for about 3 weeks now and suddenly both the shad and the smallmouth have moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 thread fin shad are probably not what you have seen, they dont survive when the water gets below 60or 50. gizzard shad are extremely abundant at shabbona lake this fall. shad that dont reach 4 inches normally die off around ice up. rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Meade Posted November 6, 2010 Report Share Posted November 6, 2010 Reading about Eric's continued success on the Fox, I keep going out to the St. Charles pool. Much to my frustration, my results are only 5% of Eric's. However, another regular out there told me about seeing schools of shad recently. I saw my first one yesterday, a mature gizzard shad. It was about 8 inches, upper jaw longer than lower jaw, blueish patch on the shoulder, dark spot had disappeared. I'm assuming that this is a recent development in the Fox. Am I off base? I curious what others think about the impact of this species on the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 Reading about Eric's continued success on the Fox, I keep going out to the St. Charles pool. Much to my frustration, my results are only 5% of Eric's. However, another regular out there told me about seeing schools of shad recently. I saw my first one yesterday, a mature gizzard shad. It was about 8 inches, upper jaw longer than lower jaw, blueish patch on the shoulder, dark spot had disappeared. I'm assuming that this is a recent development in the Fox. Am I off base? I curious what others think about the impact of this species on the river. Yes, the gizzard shad do seem to be a recent addition to the Fox. I first started seeing them in 2008 and at the time I had a conversation with a gentleman who has been fishing the river a very long time. He claims to have never seen any in all his years until recently. I believe The last survey (2007) shows them being present in very small numbers. as far as impact, I really have no idea but I would think they would be beneficial as forage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 they area great source of protein and will help fish attain more weight. but one draw back is they can get too big for some fish to eat and they do compete with planton eating fish such as bluegills when they are small. dont think it matters since the numbers are low. rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bterrill Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Shad = heavier bass, faster growing bass. Be happy they are in your river, if you are a bass fisherman. They aren't a problem in rivers because of floods and all, the river populations have significantly more turnover in fish mortality #'s each year. They are in most streams in Indiana. The ones with significant populations can see some monsterous smallies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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