416 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
than in the Sacramento, although it is probable that there is actually little difference 
in the size of fish from the two streams. According to Mr. A. B. Alexander, the aver- 
age weight of the shad caught in the Colombia is 24- pounds and the average length 
is 15 inches, while of the fish selected from the catch to be sent to market the average 
weight is 3 to 4 pounds and the average length is 21 inches. The weight of the largest 
shad thus far recorded was 9 pounds, although examples 6, 7, or 8 pounds in weight 
are not especially rare. 
FOOD OF SHAD. 
Very little information on this topic can be given, owing to the lack of systematic 
study. It may be stated, however, that, as on the Atlantic Coast, the stomachs of shad 
taken in the rivers contain no recognizable food. Mr. F. C. Reed, of Astoria, Oreg., 
formerly State fish commissioner, states that during the past five years he has exam- 
ined the stomachs of hundreds of Columbia River shad and has never yet found any 
kind of food in them. The fishermen of Monterey Bay are of the opinion that the 
relative abundance and scarcity of shad are determined by the absence or presence of 
shrimp. Mr. Lindsey, in charge of one of the fish firms, and several other fishermen 
reported that they always found shrimp in the stomachs of shad ; in years when 
shrimp are plentiful there is always a corresponding increase in shad, but when 
shrimp are scarce few shad may be looked for. 
ASSOCIATION OF SHAD WITH OTHER FISH. 
In San Francisco Bay and tributaries shad associate largely with other market- 
able fish. They are found with salmon, herring, anchovies, smelt, and striped bass, and 
are caught in drag nets and gill nets employed primarily for those species. In the 
Columbia River shad are caught in pound nets with salmou, sturgeon, and otherfish. 
Drag seines take shad at the same time that salmon are caught. 
SHAD FISHERY OF MONTEREY BAY. 
This is the southernmost locality on the Pacific Coast where shad are regularly 
caught. Fishing is prosecuted at Monterey, Capitola, and Santa Cruz, but at Mon- 
terey and Santa Cruz it is of very little consequence. Shad are taken in the bay 
chiefly from May to July, but they are also caught in other months in small numbers. 
Mr. Alexander makes the following report: 
Only a few sliad are taken by fishermen at Monterey. Each season, however, a few straggling 
individuals are caught, hut the catch has never been great enough to lead the fishermen to suppose 
that this species will ever strike this part of Monterey Bay in paying quantities. The lack of fresh 
water on the south side of the hay seemingly precludes the possibility of this fishery reaching any 
commercial importance. So small has the catch been that no attempt has been made to manufacture 
nets especially adapted for the capture of shad. The fish which have been caught from time to time 
have been taken in the “three mesh” or trammel net while fishing for other species. The entire 
catch of shad for this season [1893J amouuted'to only 6 fish. 
Capitola is the principal shad-fishing community on Monterey Bay. In 1893 
there were 28 persons engaged in taking shad here; these used 7 gill nets, having 
a mesh of to inches. The grounds are to 3 miles off shore Occasional 
specimens have been taken in drag seines hauled along the beach. The fish have an 
average weight of 4 pounds and recently have yielded the fishermen about 24 cents a 
pound. The principal part of the catch goes to San Francisco, a few being consumed 
