Delaware river American Shad genetics ?

[AndyS]

So years ago 10 pound shad were not uncommon in the Delaware river. As time went on the size of the fish got smaller and smaller. Big fish being removed over time from the gene pool. Has this led to overall decrease in size ? A large shad is now 5 pounds.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by AndyS

So years ago 10 pound shad were not uncommon in the Delaware river. As time went on the size of the fish got smaller and smaller. Big fish being removed over time from the gene pool. Has this led to overall decrease in size ? A large shad is now 5 pounds.

Shad larger than 6 pounds caught in the Delaware are 2nd run fish .

Fish we see yearly are approximately 5 years old .
Fish that are larger are 7 to 8 years old making a second spawning run .

IMO the river is so much cleaner now the fish run further , and most don’t make it back to the ocean to return again 2 years later ..

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