Alosa pseudoharengus
Gaspereau (also called alewife) are a small herring that runs up Maritime rivers in massive numbers each spring. They're an essential forage fish — food for striped bass, salmon, and eagles — and are ...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / NOAA
Gaspereau (also called alewife) are a small herring that runs up Maritime rivers in massive numbers each spring. They're an essential forage fish — food for striped bass, salmon, and eagles — and are harvested commercially and recreationally with dip nets and traps.
Silvery, deep-bodied fish. Blue-green to grey back. Large, dark spot behind the gill cover (sometimes followed by a row of fainter spots). Large, easily-shed scales. Forked tail. Small mouth. Looks like a smaller version of the American shad. Distinct keel along the belly.
Gaspereau are anadromous — they live in the Atlantic and run up Maritime rivers in spring to spawn in lakes and slow river sections. They school in massive numbers during runs. They're tolerant of various salinity levels and can be found from estuaries to freshwater lakes.
Gaspereau (Alewife) can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Prince Edward Island.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching Gaspereau (Alewife). Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring spawning run | Dip nets, seine nets (check regulations); small jigs and flies | Runs happen in May–June in massive numbers. Netting is traditional; jigs and small flies also work. |
| 🌊 River (during run) | Small bright jigs, small spinners, small flies | During the run, small jigs and spinners cast into schools catch gaspereau readily. |
| 🪰 Fly fishing | Small bright streamers, small egg patterns | Gaspereau take small flies during runs — fun on a light fly rod. |
| 🌧️ Rising water | Dip nets in swollen streams | Rain triggers gaspereau runs — fish the push of new fish moving upstream. |
| 🌡️ Warming water | Dip nets or small jigs in shallow spawning areas | Warming water triggers the run — timing is everything (usually mid-May to mid-June). |
Gaspereau fishing is almost exclusively a spring activity. Runs peak in May–June depending on water temperature. Check local regulations for gear (dip nets, traps, hook-and-line) and daily limits.
Get a 7-day Gaspereau (Alewife) bite forecast, offline regulations for every province, and AI-powered fishing advice — all in one app. Free for the 2026 season.