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Shad pass underwater windows at Connecticut River fishways

May to June

American shad, the largest herring in Massachusetts, swim up the Connecticut River from the ocean each spring. At the Holyoke and Turners Falls fishways you can stand at underwater windows and watch them, sometimes with sea lamprey, go by.

Why this time of year

Holyoke Gas and Electric says shad reach the Holyoke Dam in late April or early May, and that its fishway opens to the public for six weeks each spring in May and June. FirstLight's Turners Falls fishway ran May 9 through June 7 in 2026, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service puts it at generally mid-May through mid-June. Both set their dates each year, so check before going.

How to notice it

  1. Check the Robert E. Barrett Fishway in Holyoke or the Turners Falls Fishway for this year's public viewing dates. Both are free.
  2. Stand at the underwater viewing windows and watch for big fish, often 18 to 24 inches long, moving upstream against the current.
  3. Look for a long, eel-like fish too: FirstLight says sea lamprey can often be seen at the windows as well.
  4. At Holyoke, ask how the fish get over the dam: the fishway has two lifts that carry fish up and over, and interns count every fish lifted.

Try this with kids: At the window, can you tell a shad from a lamprey? Which one is going faster?

Phrase to know: A “fish lift” is an elevator that carries migrating fish up and over a dam.

Sources

  • hged.comRead 2026-11-10 (fishway operator, primary). 'American shad migrate into the Connecticut River during late March or April, reaching the upstream fish passage facility at the Holyoke Dam during late April or early May.' 'After spawning, adult shad swim back downstream, primarily during daylight hours in June and July, and may survive to spawn more than once.'
  • hged.comRead 2026-11-10 (operator FAQ). 'The fishway is open to the public for six weeks each spring, during the annual migration of anadromous fish.' Group visits 'during the time we are open for public viewing in May and June.' The fishway has 'two lifts, or elevators, that bring migrating fish up and over the Holyoke Dam'; HCC interns 'identify and count every fish that is lifted over the dam.'
  • hged.comRead 2026-11-10. 'FISHWAY CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.' 'Thank you for visiting the Robert Barrett Fishway during the 2026 Spring Migration.' 2027 dates not yet posted. 'Each spring, when the shadbush blooms', American Shad, Sea Lamprey and other anadromous fish migrate; visitors 'watch fish make their journey upstream through our underwater viewing windows.'
  • firstlight.energyRead 2026-11-10 (Turners Falls operator, primary). Open 'from May 9 through June 7' 2026, 'Wednesday through Sunday 9am-5pm', plus Memorial Day; 'The Fishway is free of charge.' 'Underwater viewing windows offer visitors of all ages a chance to see migratory fish.' 'American shad and sea lamprey can often be seen swimming by the windows.'
  • fws.govRead 2026-11-10 (USFWS, primary; undated). Turners Falls: 'Viewing Windows and Interpreters', 'generally mid May through mid June, Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.' Holyoke: 'Call to confirm public viewing hours of operation.'
  • fws.govRead 2026-11-10 (USFWS story, May 20, 2022). American shad, river herring and sea lamprey 'get a boost over the Holyoke Dam in an elevator designed just for fish'; 'The public are welcome to tour the Robert E. Barrett Fishway with viewing windows into their underwater world.'
  • web.archive.orgRead 2026-11-10 (archived MassWildlife page). 'American shad is the largest member of the herring family found in Massachusetts waters, commonly reaching a length of 46-61 cm total length (18-24 in).' Ascends rivers 'to spawn in spring', notably the Connecticut and Merrimack; populations 'stable enough to allow for limited recreational fisheries.'

Checked against these sources on November 10, 2026.

In the guide for May, June

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