“Every spring, adults make their way from offshore waters into coastal estuaries from New England through the Carolinas. Hard-wired to advance upstream to spawn, river herring run up freshwater rivers, launching through rapids and over rocks, funneling by the thousands into smaller and smaller streams.”
This is the beginning of one of the runs from Cape Cod Bay to Great Pond and Herring Pond. You can see the Herring making their way to the smaller streams and then into the lakes to spawn. It is so amazing to watch them jump over the rapids or barriers to make their way upstream.
Anadromous fish runs occur in rivers and streams that drain out of coastal ponds. These systems are used by migratory fish to feed and reproduce. These fish runs provide open and unblocked paths of travel for herring to reach their spawning habitat.
Herring spawn in these fresh water ponds and then live most of their lives in salt water, which is why it is essential to maintain these runs.
We stopped at one of the herring run rivers the other day and were surprised at the number of herring who were swimming upstream to get to the pond to spawn. You can see 4 herring that have just jumped up the little dam to get to the next resting place before they move on upstream again.
It was really fascinating to watch. Have you ever seen a herring run?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
