Alosa pseudoharengus

How to identify a Alewife

Alewife are found in cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands

Where to catch Alewife

• Columbia (OR/WA)
• Susquehanna (PA) — all species we list for this fishery
• Connecticut (CT)
• Atlantic coastal rivers

Alewife by state

State season calendars that list Alewife — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Connecticut — seasons, best months and licence info
• Oregon — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Washington — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · insects · worms · small fish · crustaceans · flies · or artificial lures where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Alewife:

• Alligator Gar — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Eel — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Paddlefish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Pickerel — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Shad (inland runs) — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Smelt — identification & profile (Freshwater)