Top American Shad Fishing Countries

The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a migratory, anadromous fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America, known for its silvery body and rich, flavorful flesh. Highly prized both for commercial and recreational fishing, American shad historically supported robust fisheries in the United States, particularly along the eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine, with the most significant harvests in states like Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. While the species was introduced to the Pacific coast in the late 19th century—where it established substantial populations in rivers such as the Columbia and Sacramento—commercial fishing for shad in the United States has declined due to habitat loss, overfishing, and dam construction. Canada, especially in the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River in New Brunswick, also supports a smaller but notable shad fishery. Although American shad have been introduced to other countries, including in Europe and the Pacific Northwest, the United States and Canada remain the primary nations harvesting this species, with current efforts increasingly focused on conservation and recreational angling rather than large-scale commercial exploitation.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.