• Characteristics - bright silvery blue on back, silvery sides and dusky white belly; deep oblong body that is laterally compressed; maximum size range in Iowa is about 9-14 inches
• Distribution - statewide
• Foods - plankton
• State Record - none
• Expert's Tip - Shad make great bait for catching channel catfish!

For more gizzard shad information, see Iowa Fish & Fishing.