Pacific Herring
Clupea pallasii
Pacific herring is a schooling forage fish of cold coastal waters and estuaries across the North Pacific. It feeds on plankton and is a key prey species for salmon, seabirds, and marine mammals; anglers usually target it as bait rather than as a primary sport fish.
Identification points
- Slender, silvery body with a blue-green back
- Single dorsal fin set midway on the back and no spiny dorsal
- Large, thin scales and a deeply forked tail
Habitat
Shallow coastal shelf waters, bays, estuaries, eelgrass beds, and nearshore inlets; adults often spawn in protected intertidal and subtidal vegetation.
Bait notes
Commonly caught with small sabiki rigs, tiny flies, or baitfish jigs tipped with shrimp, herring strip, or squid; in many areas it is harvested with nets rather than rod and reel.
Behavior
Strong schooling fish that move with tides and seasonal spawning runs. They filter-feed on zooplankton and phytoplankton, often forming dense bait balls near the surface or midwater.
Caution
Can accumulate environmental contaminants in some areas; follow local consumption advisories. Handle carefully because crowded schools are easy to overharvest, and spawning aggregations are often protected or tightly regulated.
Fishing notes
Fish light tackle with small hooks and fine leaders around bait schools, piers, docks, and tidal channels. Match the depth of the school and use a gentle retrieve or vertical jigging; check local regulations because harvest rules are often strict.