Shad limit?
 

I just read the saltwater compendium and noticed the possession limits for American Shad. If I read it correctly, a person may only possess 3 shad from the Delaware River and its tributaries and 6 anywhere else. The freshwater compendium regulations also indicate a limit of 3 but state that no other shad can be taken from anywhere but the Delaware. I guess that applies to the Raritan. The excuse for poor shad returns years ago was the pollution block in the lower river. What's the reason for such poor returns now?

Re: Shad limit?
 

that must be outdated, because you can't even fish for shad in any river in NJ right now other than the delaware

Re: Shad limit?
 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/news/..._closure13.htm
it's a bummer, but you can't even fish for them legally in the raritan

Re: Shad limit?
 

I'm guessing the saltwater regulations about a possession of 6 must mean in the ocean. Who fishes there anyway? Still..... Why such a steep decline in the shad population? Some blame the stripers for eating all the fry. Some blame river conditions from past years. Any guesses?

Re: Shad limit?
 

Commercial fisheries by catch. They shovel them over the side to sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Re: Shad limit?
 

A Marine policeman told me that he caught 2 guys with 22 hickory shad in Point Pleasant in December. The salt water limit is 6, but they are protected in fresh water. I caught and released many in Manasquan Inlet last fall.