Shad in Oregon
ODFW rules and Oregon water for shad.
- no bag capbag
- 6 lb 6 ozrecord
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shad across the Beaver State
You will find shad named outright in 1 zone table. Take the Columbia River Zone as the example: No limit.
Larry Arendt holds the Oregon mark of 6 lb 6 oz, set in 2004 on Willamette River. 5 water pages on this site name it; Willamette River, Columbia River and Alsea River lead the list.
Bag and season for shad by zone
| Zone | Row as printed | Bag and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Zone | Shad | No limit. | Open all year, except closed from Buoy 10 line upstream to Bonneville Dam Apr 1 – May 15. |
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (eRegulations), read November 2, 2026.
shad in the ODFW record book
| Listed as | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shad | 6 lb 6 oz | Larry Arendt | Willamette River | 2004 |
Oregon record fish as listed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (record fish article, dated March 4, 2026), read November 2, 2026.
Oregon water that holds shad
River pages naming shad
- Willamette RiverMultnomah County
- Columbia RiverClatsop County
- Alsea RiverLincoln County
- Siuslaw RiverLane County
- South Umpqua RiverDouglas County
ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report.
The look of the water close to Shad
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain
Fishing for shad in the Beaver State: questions
What daily bag does Oregon set for shad?
For the Columbia River Zone, No limit.
Who caught the Oregon record shad?
It weighed 6 lb 6 oz; Larry Arendt, 2004, Willamette River.
Which Oregon waters list shad?
Start at Willamette River, Columbia River and Alsea River; 5 pages carry it.
Is the shad limit different on some Oregon waters?
None of the exceptions mention it by name.
What season covers Oregon shad?
As listed for the Columbia River Zone, Open all year, except closed from Buoy 10 line upstream to Bonneville Dam Apr 1 – May 15. In-season rule changes appear on MyODFW first.
Which ODFW license lets me keep shad?
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident).
Where do I send an Oregon shad record?
ODFW reviews claims; the record fish article lists what to send.
Under which name does ODFW list shad?
The booklet prints Shad.
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The linked Oregon waters show launches, gauges and booklet rows.