Threadfin shad: tiny fish, big impact on Arkansas sport fishing

LITTLE ROCK — Stocking threadfin shad is a relatively new endeavor for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. These tiny, silvery minnows may not be glamorous, but they have a big impact on your favorite sport fish, be it bass, crappie or walleye. They also are somewhat delicate, making them not only difficult to raise in a hatchery, but also to harvest, haul and stock.

Despite these difficulties, AGFC started raising them in 2016 — with great success. Staff have annually stocked between 1 million and 1.5 million threadfin shad in waters around the state ever since.

AGFC hatchery staff stocked a variety of lakes last year with threadfin shad, from some of the AGFC’s smallest lakes like 100-acre Horsehead Lake near Clarksville to Upper and Lower White Oak lakes in Ouachita and Nevada counties that equate to 1,700 acres combined. Brewer Lake near Plumerville saw a direct stocking of shad last year, and Lake Monticello was loaded down with more than 350,000 fingerling threadfins to help jump start this historical heavyweight largemouth bass destination as it rebounds from a recent renovation.

In addition to direct stocking, AGFC uses nursery ponds to stock shad. Each spring, thousands of adult shad are introduced to small ponds adjacent to larger lakes that have few if any aquatic predators or competing species. After spawning, both adults and their offspring are released into the lake in the fall, further bolstering the shad population. This innovative approach maximizes stocking efforts and strengthens the aquatic food web. Two larger lakes, Maumelle just west of Little Rock, and Greers Ferry near Heber Springs, saw a boost to shad populations through nursery ponds devoted to those lakes last year. Another nursery pond, this one on Lake Conway, also was stocked, but it is being used as a temporary fishing destination during that lake’s renovation and the shad stocked there are helping keep game fish in that pond at healthy weights for anglers until construction on Conway is complete.

What makes threadfin shad so valuable? They rarely grow larger than 5 inches, making them ideal prey for a wide range of predator species. They primarily inhabit open water: This not only adds feeding opportunities to portions of lakes where other forage species are not available, but also creates exciting angling opportunities for game fish. Anglers often see the telltale signs of shad schools being chased by predators — a thrilling sight that promises rousing fishing action.

These little fish are also incredibly productive, quickly multiplying and creating a sustainable food source for hungry predators. This “boom” in the food supply means more energy for sport fish to grow larger and stronger. By providing an abundant food source, threadfin shad help maintain a healthy balance in a lake’s ecosystem. A well-fed predator population puts less pressure on other prey species, contributing to overall fish community health.

The AGFC recognizes the vital role threadfin shad play in supporting Arkansas’s thriving sport fisheries. The Fisheries Division stocks thousands of shad in lakes where forage levels are low, ensuring a plentiful food supply for game fish. This proactive approach helps maintain healthy and exhilarating fishing opportunities for anglers across the state.

So, the next time you land a lunker bass or a slab crappie, remember the tiny threadfin shad that helped make it happen. These unsung heroes of the underwater world play a vital role in our aquatic ecosystems, fueling the growth of your favorite sport fish.

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CUTLINES:

SHAD CLOSEUP
The AGFC stocks threadfin shad in many Arkansas lakes to bolster food sources for game fish. AGFC photo.  

SEINING POND
Jason Miller, AGFC assistant chief of fisheries over the state’s hatcheries, seines threadfin shad from a pond to deliver to an Arkansas fishing destination. AGFC photo.

SHAD SWIMMING
Adult threadfin shad rarely exceed 5 inches, making them ideal as forage for larger fish, such as bass and crappie.