As fall approaches and the rivers' water cools, these young fish head out to sea. They remain there for several years before returning to spawn in the water where they spend their first months of life. Because of the small size of the zooplankton, it takes millions of these critters to fill the herring up. Larger herring eat other food as well, including larger larvae, small insects, shrimp, and even small fish. Fishing Ocean-run herring grow to a size that provides fun for the angler.
American shad are the best known sport fish of the herring.
They put up a good fight when hooked - the trick is in getting one to strike. Most herring are highly valued by the commercial fishing industry, with American shad the favorite food fish. American shad are sweet in taste and the eggs or roe are considered a spring delicacy. Alewife and blueback herring are fished commercially in the ocean and used for pickling. The largest of New York's herring, American shad are very important commercial and sportfish along the Atlantic coast.