Hickory Shad in Pennsylvania
Seasons, the record and stocking for hickory shad.
- 0limit
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Where hickory shad fit in Pennsylvania fishing
Pennsylvania lists Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris) as game fish, regulated in 3 water classes. For commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing the PFBC sets 0 and a season of closed year-round.
It has no PFBC record and no 2026 stocking entry.
Keeping hickory shad under PFBC rules
| Water class | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth inland waters | Commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under Lake Erie, Pymatuning, Conowingo or Delaware River and Estuary rules or | 0 | CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Conowingo Reservoir (Susquehanna River boundary) | Conowingo Reservoir up to Holtwood Dam | 0 | CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Delaware River and estuary | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh R | 0 | CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PA Fish and Boat Commission; in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2025, PDF revised February 27, 2026), page 10 to 14. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Fish listed alongside hickory shad
- Largemouth Bassgame fish
- Smallmouth Bassgame fish
- Spotted Bassgame fish
- Rock Bassgame fish
- Striped Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
- Redbreast Sunfishgame fish
- Crappiegame fish
- Yellow Perchgame fish
- White Perchgame fish
Photographs of lakes and creeks by Hickory Shad
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: gailf548, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ameer Attia, CC BY 3.0
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Keystone hickory shad: the questions that come up
What is the Pennsylvania creel limit for hickory shad?
0 on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing, season closed year-round; other water classes have their own rows.
What is the state record hickory shad in Pennsylvania?
The record page skips it.
Which waters list hickory shad?
No page lists it as present.
Do Pennsylvania hatcheries raise hickory shad?
It is not stocked on the 2026 lists.
What family name do biologists use for hickory shad?
Alosa mediocris; listed as game fish.
What dates cover hickory shad?
CLOSED YEAR-ROUND on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing.
Which Pennsylvania license and permit cover hickory shad?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
Is a permitted Pennsylvania guide available for hickory shad?
No guide listing names it.
Plan a hickory shad trip
Open any listed water for ramps and seasons.