Hickory Shad, Blueback 289 



Hickory Shad 

 Pomolobus mediocris (Nfitchill) 



Color: Gray-green above; sides and belly silver. A dark 

 spot behind gill followed by a series of obscure black dots. 

 A series of faint, dusky, horizontal stripes on sides. 

 Distribution: Found from the Bay of Fundy to Florida. 

 Size: Reaches a length of 2 feet. A 15-inch fish weighs 1 

 pound; an 18-inch fish, 2 pounds. 



General Information: Little is known about this fish. It 

 feeds mostly on small fish but squid, crabs, and fish eggs 

 have also been found in its stomach. 



Economic Importance: The Hickory Shad is taken mixed 

 with other species of herrings mostly by the pound net 

 fishery and has a limited market. While not an important 

 sport fish it is known to strike at an artificial lure and 

 will put up a good fight on light tackle. 



Blueback, Glut Herring 

 Pomolobus aestivalis (Mitchill) 



Color: Back blue-green; sides silvery. A dark spot in back 



of the gills. Faint horizontal stripes on upper part of body. 



Distribution: Nova Scotia to Florida. 



Size: Reaches a length of about 15 inches and a weight of 



13 ounces. 



General Information: Like the alewife, the Blueback enters 



rivers in spring to spawn. However, unlike the alewife the 



