The fish has been collected in all of the major river systems, large reservoirs, and many of the man-made lakes. Gizzard shad exhibit the typical herring body shape with a deep, oblong body that is strongly compressed laterally. Color ranges from bright silvery blue on the back, silvery sides and a dusky white on the belly. A dark shoulder spot is common on younger fish but may be absent from adults. The front of the head is rounded with a sub-terminal mouth.
Teeth are absent.
There are about 190 rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch. The eyes have adipose eyelids with vertical slits. Body scales are cycloid with no lateral line present. The ventral scales are keeled. Dorsal fin rays number 10 to 12 with the last ray elongated into a thin whip-like filament.