Shad in Anacostia??

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andrewm...@gmail.com

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Apr 8, 2015, 10:13:56 AM4/8/15
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I know there is (was) a program to introduce shad in to the Anacostia, but did it work? Does anyone fish the A for shad with success? How far up do you go, where, etc? I live on Cap Hill and it would be great to not have to fight my way to Rock Creek or Fletchers for shad.

Yambag Nelson

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Apr 8, 2015, 11:19:37 AM4/8/15
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I live in capitol hill as well and have thought about trying the anacostia for whatever might bite.  I do believe shad come in but imagine it would be pretty tough to fish for them in the park area.  Maybe further upriver would be an option but at that point, you might as well go to fletchers.  Plus it is just a nasty river really. 

Rob Snowhite

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Apr 8, 2015, 11:45:57 AM4/8/15
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http://www.earthconservationcorps.org/ has a Shad program for the river. They also have Shad fry in tanks you can check out. 

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On Apr 8, 2015, at 10:13 AM, andrewm...@gmail.com wrote:

I know there is (was) a program to introduce shad in to the Anacostia, but did it work? Does anyone fish the A for shad with success? How far up do you go, where, etc? I live on Cap Hill and it would be great to not have to fight my way to Rock Creek or Fletchers for shad.

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Adam Soller

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Apr 8, 2015, 12:00:41 PM4/8/15
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Having rowed on the Anacostia for years, I would second Yambag's comments on access to the Anacostia.  South of the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge there are limited, if not zero, wading options and the park on the east side of the river is always busy with runners, spin fishermen, soccer games, etc. which would be a royal pain if you were to consider fishing it from the bank.

North of the PA Avenue bridge would be possible if you had a kayak and an access point (again limited due to private boat clubs) from which to launch but the tides get so low north of the PA bridge that I would guess any shad don't travel that far up.

And yes, it is a nasty river but at least it has been improving from where it was 10+ years ago.

Andy Thomas

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Apr 8, 2015, 1:44:33 PM4/8/15
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I live on the Hill as well.  I went over to the National Arboretum a few weeks ago with the dog.  There is actually river access on one end of the Arboretum.  The river was just plain filthy though.  I'd had the intention of checking it out for fishing for carp there, but after seeing it those hopes faded.


On Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 10:13:56 AM UTC-4, andrewm...@gmail.com wrote:

Justin Schiavone

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Apr 8, 2015, 2:27:56 PM4/8/15
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I work on the navy yard so I'll bring my rod to work and on my lunch hour I'll give it a go. I'll let you guys know if I get into anything.

justin

Neil

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Apr 9, 2015, 3:27:55 PM4/9/15
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There were some efforts years ago during the Woodrow Wilson Project to restore the population with fry and remove migratory fish hazards on Indian Creek and Paint Branch (feeder streams to the Anacostia by College Park).  They would shock the streams the following years and the numbers weren’t improving.  A bad sign was when they removed all the shad restoration signs two/three years ago from along the bike trails.  Don’t think they had a lot of success.  I have seen some caught at the Bladensburg waterfront but despite my best efforts have always struck out.  From what I hear there are only a few caught every year.  I gave up going after them on the Anacostia.   As Adam pointed out the river has improved a lot over the years.   I have even caught small stripers up at Bladensburg.   With the revitalization down by the stadium and navy yard, the removal of the old pepco power plant, and other restoration projects further upstream I think the river will continue to improve.
-Neil

McFly

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Apr 11, 2015, 9:16:18 AM4/11/15
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Please don't wade in this river, it's cleaner than in years past but there is so much debris sharp metal-tires-drug needles-thick mud -sticks and that's just the start, I grew up fishing in Washington and this river is good for catfish from the banks on spinning or baitcasting gear but fly gear no, is okay from shore by the South Capitol street bridge. Find another place to fish.


On Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 10:13:56 AM UTC-4, andrewm...@gmail.com wrote:
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