COMMON FISHES OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
165 
No necessity for extensive migrations of the gizzard shad is known. It is ex- 
tremely widespread in its occurrence, being found in brackish water along the Atlantic 
and Gulf coasts, throughout the Mississippi Valley, and in Lake Erie and Lake 
Michigan. It is found about Keokuk all the year, having been recorded each month 
from February to November (except March.) It is not remarkably abundant in the 
relatively strong current of the Mississippi River but occurs in great numbers in the 
sloughs, backwaters, and lakes. The conditions offered by the creation of the lake 
may be thought to be favorable to its productivity, and we have had no evidence of 
any unfavorable effect arising from the presence of the dam. 
THE HERRINGS AND SHADS (Clupeidse) 
River herring or “skipjack.” Pomolobus chrysochloris Rafinesque 
One of the most beautiful and lively fishes of the Mississippi Basin is the river 
herring, blue herring, or “golden shad,” marked with its green and silvery color and 
golden reflections. It has a striking habit of leaping from the surface when feeding 
upon schools of minnows or in mere play. From this it has derived, in some places, 
the name of “skipjack,” a designation that is applied in one locality and another to 
so many species of fish that it is quite indeterminate; its use should be discouraged. 
By a few fishermen they are very inappropriately called “mackerel.” Another mis- 
leading local designation is that of “Government shad”- — a name applied apparently 
in the belief that the river herring are the result of former Government plantings of 
Atlantic shad. 
The river herring has no importance as a food fish, being very bony and lacking 
good flavor. Its liveliness and vigor, however, make it one of the gamiest fishes in 
the river, so that it affords real sport to the angler who fishes with live bait in swift 
water, as about the ends of wing dams. An insight into its habits was had by the 
author and an aide as they fished for herring in the swift waters just below the chute 
alongside the lock. The fish played about the boat in great numbers, darting through 
the water, leaping from the surface, taking the line and making the reels spin busily, 
only to release themselves when a strain was put upon the line. After a time it was 
