Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) live in open water, near the surface, in large rivers and lakes. They feed on microscopic plants and animals with their gill rakers or feed off the bottom. Shad grow to about two pounds in weight and 10-12 inches in length. Research has found that gizzard shad are sensitive to temperatures and latitudes, but they are not as sensitive to environmental conditions as other fish. They grow and multiply rapidly, which can be detrimental to native game fish populations. Shad are used as bait for catching catfish. It is not a prefered fish for human consumption, but shad were dried and smoked
along the Illinois River and elsewhere.
