Brevoortia tyrannus

How to identify a Atlantic Menhaden

Atlantic Menhaden are found in coastal bays, estuaries, beaches, jetties, reefs, and continental-shelf waters. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Coastal bays, estuaries, beaches, jetties, reefs, and continental-shelf waters

Where to catch Atlantic Menhaden

• Atlantic coast runs (US) — all species we list for this fishery
• Chesapeake (MD/VA) — all species we list for this fishery
• Gulf coast (LA/TX) — all species we list for this fishery

Atlantic Menhaden by state

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

• Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
• Florida — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Maryland — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• Texas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Virginia — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · baitfish · squid · shrimp · crabs · worms · jigs · spoons · plugs · or flies

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Atlantic Menhaden:

• Gulf Menhaden — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Moonfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Needlefish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Pomfret — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Saury — identification & profile (Saltwater)
• Atlantic Spadefish — identification & profile (Saltwater)