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FISH GUIDE · Freshwater / Sea

Twaite shad: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Alosa fallax

Twaite shad migrates between sea, estuary and river. Its fishing is subject to restrictive basin-specific rules; this guide recommends no technique or targeted trip. The order of 5 May 2026 also prohibits fishing for it in freshwater in Pyrénées-Atlantiques during 2026, including catch-and-release angling.

Catalogue names : Twaite shad. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Its documented northeastern Atlantic range extends from Iceland to northern Morocco, including the North Sea and Baltic. Adults use coastal waters and spawners enter accessible rivers. Older Mediterranean or Black Sea records may concern other shad taxa.

  • Native range : Northeastern Atlantic, Iceland to northern Morocco
  • Native range : North Sea and Baltic

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

A compressed silver body, regularly aligned scales and often several small spots behind the gill cover. Spots may be faint and hybrids with allis shad occur: retain an uncertain identification rather than handling the gills.

Habitat

Atlantic coastal waters and estuaries, then lower river reaches for reproduction. This guide does not transfer rules for Mediterranean shad.

Diet

Adults eat small fish at sea, among other prey; juveniles also use plankton and small invertebrates. The natural diet is not a bait recommendation.

Behaviour

An anadromous migrant, it moves into freshwater to reproduce. It can spawn several times during its lifetime.

Indicative biological size

About 42 cm on average for adults in French rivers according to OPSN and DORIS; a descriptive indication.

Fishing context and precautions

Identification and protection sheet: no targeted fishing is proposed. In Pyrénées-Atlantiques, freshwater fishing for Alosa fallax and catch-and-release fishing for migratory species other than eel are prohibited in 2026. An incidental encounter does not justify another capture to identify the fish or handling its gills; follow the current instructions for the site.

A distinctive feature

It can hybridise with allis shad, producing intermediate features.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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