Species profile
Blueback Herring
Alosa aestivalis
Identify Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 12 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 13 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (South Carolina); the most generous is 50 (New York).
Confirmed by 86 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for its bright blue-green back and silvery sides.
- Anadromous — adults migrate upriver into freshwater each spring to spawn.
- Typically grows to 10–12 inches long.
- Has a single dark spot just behind the gill cover.
- A critical forage species for striped bass, bluefish, and many coastal predators.
Where Blueback Herring are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Blueback Herring
Background
The blueback herring or blueback shad (Alosa aestivalis) is an anadromous species of herring from the east coast of North America, with a range from Nova Scotia to Florida. Blueback herring form schools and are believed to migrate offshore to overwinter near the bottom.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Blueback Herring article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Blueback Herring?
Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 13 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Blueback Herring?
Blueback Herring is Alosa aestivalis.
Is Blueback Herring regulated for fishing?
Yes — Blueback Herring has fishing regulations in 12 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Blueback Herring?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Blueback Herring along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.