Blueback Herring
Alosa aestivalis
Also called blueback, blueback shad, river herring
A small, silvery anadromous fish that migrates from the ocean to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Distinguished from alewife by its blue-green back and smaller eye relative to head size.
Blueback Herring at a glance
- Scientific name
- Alosa aestivalis
- Typical size
- 8-12 inches, 0.25-0.5 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Rare
Habitat
Found in coastal rivers and tributaries along the Atlantic coast during spawning runs in spring and early summer. Rarely targeted by anglers specifically but occasionally caught while fishing for other species in rivers during spawning migrations.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a blueback herring 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™ worksBlueback Herring questions people ask
Blueback Herring is Alosa aestivalis. Anglers also call it blueback, blueback shad, river herring.
A typical blueback herring runs 8-12 inches, 0.25-0.5 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every blueback herring you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in coastal rivers and tributaries along the Atlantic coast during spawning runs in spring and early summer. Rarely targeted by anglers specifically but occasionally caught while fishing for other species in rivers during spawning migrations. 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.