Maine Seafood Guide – Alewife

Alewife

Species Description

Alt text for each photo: A school of silver fish are swimming upstream. Their noses are pointed at the camera and the blue of the water reflects off of their scales.
A school of river herring swim upstream. Photo: Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus
Blueback herring Alosa aestivalis
also known as river herring, gaspereau, sawbelly, kyak

Wild.

Alewife and blueback herring are members of the herring family, which also includes shad. Alewife, blueback herring, and shad are collectively called “river herring,” but should not be confused with the Atlantic herring, which is strictly a marine fish. Alewife and blueback herring look very similar: Alewives have larger eyes, a silvery body, and a pale belly, while blueback herring have smaller eyes, a darker bluish back, and a dark belly. They are sea-run or anadromous species: each spring, they return from the ocean to freshwater rivers and lakes to spawn.

Season

April through June. 

For the most recent updates on fishing alewife in Maine waters, visit Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). 

Status

As with most other species of sea-run fish, alewife and blueback herring populations are much depleted from their historic levels and are the focus of habitat restoration efforts coastwide. Maine rivers have some of the healthiest and largest runs, some of which support commercial fisheries (primarily for lobster bait). Alewife populations in some watersheds are supported by stocking adult fish taken from nearby rivers. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is currently assessing coastwide population status.

Regulatory Authority

The DMR, as well as those coastal municipalities with rights to river herring resources, cooperatively manage harvests on individual rivers. Each town must submit an annual harvesting plan to DMR for approval that includes measures to assure conservation of the resource.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission oversees management of the coastwide population.

Harvest Method

Alewives and blueback herring are harvested by hand as they ascend freshwater streams and rivers, with weirs, seines, cast nets, and dip nets. See the vessel and gear guide for more information.

Recreational Harvest

25 river herring per person per day, for personal use only, permitted 6:00 a.m. Sunday to 6:00 a.m. Thursday (fishery closed Thursday through Saturday). 

Recreational harvesting is not allowed in streams with commercial harvesting leases, unless specifically stated in their management plan. If there is a commercial harvest, please check with the municipality to learn if recreational harvest is allowed and when. 

Health Benefits & Risks

Alewife and blueback herring are similar to Atlantic herring (sardines) and are good sources of protein and omega-3s. Use caution when eating as alewife and blueback herring contain numerous small bones.

Buying & Preparing

A small number of Maine harvesters smoke alewives and blueback herring, producing a traditional delicacy sometimes known as “bloaters.” These smoked fish may be available locally, especially during the spring run, and offer a rich, savory flavor reminiscent of old-fashioned preservation methods.

Certifications & Verifications

Links