Atlantic MenhadenorAlewife
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Atlantic Menhaden
Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools.
Alewife
River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel.
Alewife, next to Atlantic menhaden: single spot only, slimmer.
Side by side
| Atlantic Menhaden | Alewife | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Brevoortia tyrannus | Alosa pseudoharengus |
| Also called | Bunker, Pogy, Fatback | River herring, Buckie |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Bait and chum — not table fare. | Possession is banned along most of the coast — release. |
| Rules of its own in | 7 states | 11 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 11 of 11 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, Atlantic menhaden is No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater and alewife is Take prohibited, 0. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Menhaden: size · bag · season | Alewife: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | No size limit50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greaterOpen year-roundOpenCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Take prohibited0Closed year-roundPut it backCT DEEP 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | Harvest prohibited0Closed - no harvest permittedPut it backDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Maine | No size limit25 per dayOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked | No size limit25 river herring per day (alewife + blueback combined)Open year-round; non-leased brooks, rivers and streams closed 6 AM Thursday to 6 AM Sunday weeklyOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked | Catch and release only0Closed - moratoriumPut it backMD DNR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | —Possession prohibitedProhibitedPut it backMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked | No size limitSee Squamscott River special restrictionsClosed weekly sunrise Wednesday to sunrise ThursdayOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | Prohibited0No open seasonPut it backNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | No size limit100Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked | No possession0Closed all year (marine district)Put it backNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked | N/ANo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | No size limit200/person/day (fish over 4"; unlimited under 4")Open year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked | N/ANo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No harvest0Closed (moratorium)Put it backVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic menhaden or alewife, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Atlantic menhaden from alewife?
Atlantic Menhaden: Deep-bodied herring with a big black shoulder spot trailed by smaller spots; swims in tight flipping schools. Alewife: River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel. Alewife, next to Atlantic menhaden: single spot only, slimmer.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic menhaden or alewife?
Atlantic Menhaden: Bait and chum — not table fare. Alewife: Possession is banned along most of the coast — release.
Do Atlantic menhaden and alewife have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 11 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 50 fish or 5 gallons per day, whichever is greater, alewife Take prohibited, 0; Maine: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 25 per day, alewife No size limit, 25 river herring per day (alewife + blueback combined); Maryland: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit, alewife Catch and release only, 0; New Hampshire: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, No bag limit, alewife No size limit, See Squamscott River special restrictions; New York: Atlantic menhaden No size limit, 100, alewife No possession, 0; and more in the table on this page.