Gizzard Shad Found in Roosevelt Lake
photo: Gizzard Shad found in Roosevelt Lake
Biologists Found Gizzard Shad in Roosevelt Lake
AZ Game and Fish biologists have discovered a population explosion of American gizzard shad in Roosevelt Lake. They say that it is a “wait and see” situation to determine if these invasive shad will have a positive or negative impact on the Roosevelt lake and fisheries along the Salt River.
There is a concern that the fish will continue to spread through the entire chain of lakes including Apache Lake and Canyon Lake. Gizzard shad have already been found at Lake Powell, Lake Mead and have invaded the Colorado River as well.
“This species looks like thread fin shad on steroids,” said Fisheries Chief Kirk Young. “These wide-bodied invaders from the eastern United States are shaped like footballs and can readily grow past the size where they are available to most sport-fish as forage.”
Most of the gizzard shad found during a fish survey were between 9 and 14 inches. But 2 were found over 17 inches long and weighted in at 2.3 pounds. Gizzard shad tend to grow very fast, quickly surpassing the size of 4 inches in their first year.
“We are still entering all the survey data, but based on what we saw during the sampling process, it appeared that gizzard shad were almost as numerous as the largemouth bass,” said Natalie Robb, the Mesa regional fisheries program manager.
Gizzard Shad are seldom caught by hook and line, but I doubt anyone would want to try. They don’t make a very good sport fish especially one that you would want to serve at your dinner table. Gizzard Shad are pungent in odor and have soft flesh.
A few facts about Gizzard Shad
Characteristics: Bright silvery blue-green on back, silvery sides and dull white belly. They have a wide body that is stockier than most herring.
Native Range: Extends from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River west to eastern South Dakota and central New Mexico.
How to tell gizzard shad from threadfin shad: Gizzard shad have an upper jaw that projects well beyond the lower jaw. If you run your finger underneath the mouth forward and if the fingernail catches on the upper jaw and opens the mouth, you have just become acquainted with a gizzard shad.
