Connecticut Spring Fish Runs: American Shad

Q: When do American shad run in Connecticut?

On the Connecticut River, in spring. That timing comes from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The day each year follows the water: the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission puts the American shad spawn at 15 to 23°C, or 59 to 73.4°F.

Q: What water temperature do American shad spawn at in Connecticut?

The Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission gives 15 to 23°C, or 59 to 73.4°F, for American shad in Connecticut. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

Q: How can I tell if a run in Connecticut is on today?

2 USGS gauges on the Connecticut River report the water temperature through the day. Each run card sets the latest reading against the spawning temperature: more than 5°F below the spawning temperature is Not yet, within 5°F is Getting close, inside the range is On, and above it late in the run is Winding down. The other runs follow their usual months.

Q: Does a run start on the same date every year?

No. The months are the usual window, and the water sets the day: a cold spring holds a run back, and a warm one brings it forward. In Connecticut, the gauge readings on the run cards show where the water stands now.

Q: What is the American shad run?

Shad live at sea and come back up the rivers they hatched in to spawn.

Q: Why do fish run in spring?

Water temperature is the main signal: each species waits for its own range. Longer days bring fish toward the rivers, and a warm rain that raises and warms the water often starts a push upstream. Walleye go first in cold water; white bass, herring and shad follow as rivers warm.

American shad enter the Connecticut River between late March and early April, often as the river reaches about 50°F, and spawn in water of 15 to 23°C.

Connecticut at a glance

Read October 13, 2026

Run

on 1 water

Species

American shad

59 to 73.4°F

Spawning water

for American shad

USGS gauges

on the Connecticut River

Months, temperatures and places are the agency’s own, quoted on each run below. The verdict on each card is worked out in your browser against today and the latest reading at the gauge on that river.

Is the run on?

Every Connecticut run, and where it stands today

American shad

American shad on the Connecticut River

When: Runs in spring; the water temperature tells you when.
Spawns at: 59 to 73.4°F (15 to 23°C in the source) Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (hosted by USFWS)
The run: Long Island Sound upstream past Enfield

In Connecticut, spring runs of shad occur in all major rivers (Connecticut, Housatonic, Pawcatuck and Thames), with the largest run occurring in the Connecticut River.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (2) and notes

Limit2026 regulations

American Shad *** Minimum length: None Daily creel limit: 6 fish per angler (American and Hickory Shad in aggregate) Open Season: Open Year Round ***American Shad: all state waters closed, except the Connecticut River System

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Closed to harvest2026 regulations

The taking of anadromous alewife and blueback herring is prohibited from all Connecticut waters, including Long Island Sound.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

The spawning run typically last 2-3 months, with the Connecticut River stock entering the river between late March and early April, depending on the environmental conditions.

Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (hosted by USFWS), read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

River entry is often associated with river temperatures reaching ~10°C (50°F) (Leggett 1976).

Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (hosted by USFWS), read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

Although shad cease feeding during their spawning runs (they feed on zooplankton when at sea), they will strike small jigs and spinners during this time.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Sources

Where the Connecticut runs come from

Every month, temperature, place and rule on this page is quoted from these pages, read October 13, 2026. Rules change every year, so check the current regulations before you fish.

American Shad, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Species Regulations (Saltwater Fishing Guide), Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut River American Shad Management Plan (2017) and Addendum (2020), Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (hosted by USFWS)

Connecticut fish run questions

When do American shad run in Connecticut?

What water temperature do American shad spawn at in Connecticut?

How can I tell if a run in Connecticut is on today?

Does a run start on the same date every year?

What is the American shad run?

Why do fish run in spring?

Runs, months, spawning temperatures, places and rules read October 13, 2026 from the pages listed under sources. Where a state gives no temperature for a species, the figure is the species figure its publisher gives, and the card says so. Water temperatures are the latest reading at a USGS gauge on the run’s own river, fetched when the page opens; a run without one goes by the months.

Connecticut Spring Fish Runs: American Shad

Connecticut at a glance

Every Connecticut run, and where it stands today

American shad on the Connecticut River

Where the Connecticut runs come from

Connecticut fish run questions

More fishing in Connecticut

Spring fish runs in other states