Freshwater Fish of America - American shad

American shad is an anadromous, migratory species found along the Atlantic coast of North America from Newfoundland to Florida. They spend most of their lives in the Atlantic Ocean. When it is time to spawn, they return to the freshwater rivers where they hatched. Adults return as early as November in Florida, and in May or June in northern waters. The peak spawning temperatures for American shad is 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit with spawning normally occurring between sundown and midnight.