Threadfin shad

[Gunga Din]

I've heard the Utah DWR may be stocking my favorite walleye lake with threadfin, as it is on the verge of crashing due to all the perch being depleted by hungry walleyes.

Can anyone tell me what types of water threadfin thrive in? How cold of water can they live in? How will this change the fishing?

Thanks!

[Neal/CO]

They aren't as hardy as Gizzard shad and die off easier when the water temp drops rapidly in late fall. That is not always a bad thing. If shad survive winter to easily their numbers can explode and then all the game fish become very difficult to catch because they are stuffed to the gills. This has happened here in colorado at several resevoirs I fish. Wyoming plants gizzard shad in the spring at Glendo and Pathfiner to help the walleyes put on some fat every year. The shad numbers are usually controlled by harsh winter weather that thins the herd. This allows the DOW to control their numbers. It will deffinately save Yuba though!

[Jim/UT]

Are the threadfin shad more of an open water fish? I do get tired of losing a dozen bouncers and rigs each trip. Pulling cranks in open water would be a nice change.

Jim

[Neal/CO]

They are pelagic. In the summer you will find huge schools suspended from 15-30 deep over the main channel. I have caught lots of walleyes,trout and wipers at Pueblo Res during the summer on leadcore rigs pulling thin fins and crawler harness's.