American Shad in Washington
Where american shad live in Washington, with the rules.
- No min. size. Nolimit
- 3.85 lbsrecord
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the fish itself, not a Washington water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
A Washington profile of american shad
Find american shad in the Evergreen State freshwater table at the entry "Shad". What it says, quoted: No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons except Apr. 1-May 15: closed in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam.
The record book shows 3.85 lbs from Columbia River, Clark County (2005), caught by Tom Magnuson. 2 Washington water pages here list the fish, Snake River and Columbia River first. The Special Rules tables name it for 1 water. Taxonomists file it as Alosa sapidissima.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The statewide line on american shad
| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shad | all freshwater | No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons except Apr. 1-May 15: closed in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. | Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
Lakes and rivers that set american shad apart
Look for "shad" in the Special Rules: 1 water use them.
The biggest Washington american shad on file
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Shad | 3.85 lbs | Tom Magnuson | Columbia River, Clark County | June 21, 2005 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington pages listing american shad
River pages naming american shad
- Snake RiverWhitman County
- Columbia RiverStevens County
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
The shoreline country around American Shad, in pictures
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: eutrophication&hypoxia, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Chris Yunker, CC BY 2.0
Evergreen State american shad, asked and answered
How many american shad may I keep in Washington?
Statewide: No min. size. No daily limit. No possession limit. Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons except Apr. 1-May 15: closed in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam.
From which water did the Washington record american shad come?
WDFW lists 3.85 lbs, Columbia River, Clark County, 2005, Tom Magnuson.
What Washington water is a good bet for american shad?
Start with Snake River and Columbia River among 2 pages.
Are american shad part of the WDFW plants report?
No 2026 WDFW trout plant names it.
Is the american shad rule the same everywhere in Washington?
It differs on 1 water with Special Rules.
Is american shad open all year in Washington?
Season as printed: Open only during open game fish or salmon seasons. Emergency rules can change it in season.
Which WDFW license lets me fish for american shad?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
Who keeps the Washington record for american shad?
WDFW does; marine fish are verified only at the Region 4 or Region 6 offices or Olympia headquarters.
Find american shad within a drive
Each water listed has a Washington page.