Freshwater Herring Closure

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by surfrod

enjoy it this year, because there will be a moritorium on shad coming next year.

someone interacted with one of our anadromous fishery biologists who responded (in part):

"As for hickory shad, you are correct in that the Department considers hickory shad and American shad as one species for regulatory purposes. The current bag limit is 6 fish per day in marine waters and 3 fish per day in freshwater areas of the state. Please be advised that the shad regulations will be changing beginning January 1, 2013 to come into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Management Plan. There will most likely be a moratorium for recreational harvest of shad - both hickory and American - in all marine and freshwater areas except the Delaware Estuary. At that time, the recreational bag limit will be 3 fish for the entire Delaware system and its tributaries."

Note: Currently, and for the past several years, the season for Hickory Shad in the freshwater (above the Com. Barry Bridge) Delaware River is closed.

Mark Boriek, Principal Fisheries Biologist
Mark.Boriek@earthlink.net
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries
P.O. Box 394, 1255 County Rt. 629
Lebanon, NJ 08833

(908) 236-2118 Fax: (908) 236-7280

Visit our website at www.NJFishandWildlife.com