In 1993, owners of the three upstream dams agreed to build lifts for their facilities. The agreements call for fish passage at Holtwood and Safe Harbor dams by 1997 and at York Haven Dam by 1999. These fish passage facilities will open up 210 miles of riverine habitat. By the turn of the century, American shad will once again roam unaided throughout most of their historical range. The American shad is the largest member of the herring family.
Adults commonly reach four to eight pounds.
The Pennsylvania record is nine pounds, nine ounces. These beautiful silvery fish are prized by anglers for their sporting qualities. Shad are among the strongest and hardest-fighting of all fish found in freshwater. Their flesh is considered excellent table fare, although it is bony. Like all anadromous fish, shad spend most of their life in the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn.