Date 26 AUG 96 sharks, bluefish tuna, Kingfish and porpoises. Adults have few enemies except for humans. Spawning runs may begin as early as February, but are most frequent in April. Successful hatches have been reported at salinities ranging from 7.5 ppt at 12.0 oC to 15 ppt at 17 oC. No eggs hatched at a salinity of 22.5 ppt. Shad spawning areas vary in depth and substrate.
Shad seem to prefer areas dominated by shallow water or broad flats with sand or gravel bottoms.
Sufficient water current veloitites are required to keep the shad eggs suspended in the water column. C caused extensive larval abnormalities. Larvae remain near the spawning grounds, usually a short distance downstream. Young remain in the nursery area until water temperatures begin to decrease in the fall. The season is open to commercial fishing from April 1 to June 15.