American Gizzard Shad
Dorosoma cepedianum
A deep-bodied herring-like fish with a small head and mouth, named for its muscular gizzard-like stomach used to grind food. They are primarily used as baitfish rather than targeted as gamefish.
American Gizzard Shad at a glance
- Scientific name
- Dorosoma cepedianum
- Typical size
- 8-16 inches, 0.5-2 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
American Gizzard Shad inhabit large rivers, reservoirs, and lakes throughout much of North America. They form large schools and are commonly netted or caught with small hooks to use as cut bait or live bait for larger predatory fish like striped bass, catfish, and largemouth bass.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a american gizzard shad through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksAmerican Gizzard Shad questions people ask
American Gizzard Shad is Dorosoma cepedianum.
A typical american gizzard shad runs 8-16 inches, 0.5-2 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every american gizzard shad you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
American Gizzard Shad inhabit large rivers, reservoirs, and lakes throughout much of North America. They form large schools and are commonly netted or caught with small hooks to use as cut bait or live bait for larger predatory fish like striped bass, catfish, and largemouth bass. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.