Florida Spring Fish Runs: American Shad

Q: When do American shad run in Florida?

On the St. Johns River, usually in late December through April. That timing comes from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The day each year follows the water: the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission puts the American shad spawn at 60 to 65°F.

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

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission gives 60 to 65°F for American shad, the figure each Florida verdict reads the water against. 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 Florida is on today?

2 USGS gauges on the St. Johns 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 Florida, 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 run up the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, typically between late December and early April.

Florida at a glance

Read October 13, 2026

Run

on 1 water

Species

American shad

December

First to start

American shad on the St. Johns River

60 to 65°F

Spawning water

for American shad

USGS gauges

on the St. Johns 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 Florida run, and where it stands today

American shad

American shad on the St. Johns River

When: Usually late December through April.
Spawns at: 60 to 65°F Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, for the species

In Florida, it occurs only in the northeast, mostly in the St. Johns River and Nassau River when it returns from the ocean to spawn, typically between late December and early April.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (1) and notes

Limit2026 regulations

10 Alabama shad, American shad, hickory shad, and blueback herring (individually or in total), which may only be taken with hook and line gear.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

Plankton feeders, but strike small bright spoons and flies. They are anadromous, meaning they mature in salt water, but return to fresh water rivers to spawn.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Sources

Where the Florida 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, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
General Statewide Bag and Length Limits, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Pennsylvania Fishes, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Florida fish run questions

When do American shad run in Florida?

What water temperature do American shad spawn at in Florida?

How can I tell if a run in Florida 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?

More fishing

More fishing in Florida

Best fishing times in FloridaThe feeding windows for your ZIP, every day Florida fishing licenseWhat it costs, and when it runs out

Spring fish runs in other states

Every spring fish run, state by state

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.