Several years ago, Wells Reserve did a stream survey on the Merriland River, Branch Brook, and the Little River, where the two watersheds meet and flow to the ocean. A live weir placed in the Little River provided an interesting view into the kinds and amount of species using the two river systems. Numerous American shad showed up in that weir. We're all hoping that the shad are accessing the 16 miles of upstream spawning grounds now that the old dilapidated fishway on Branch Brook is restored to working order.

When the water temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit shad move into the rivers. Note, that while you can catch shad on Clouser Minnows along with the striped bass in the tidal waters of a river, a more selective method of fishing for them is in the fresh water. It should go without saying, that the freshwater regulations control your activities when you fish in freshwater. That seems obvious, but a person who is making his or her way upstream may not notice the subtle changes from tidal water to fresh water.

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