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A spring ritual: shad fishing

A row of silhouettes of fishermen on the shore of the Island of Montreal late afternoon. They are posted at the foot of the hydroelectric power plant on the Des Prairies River, seen in the background. All are hoping for a great catch with the return of the American shad, a popular fish among the locals.

© Jacques Lebleu, SHAC, 2013

Silhouettes of fishermen lined up on the shore of the Island of Montreal, downstream from the Des Prairies River’s hydroelectric power plant. They are all hoping for a great catch as the American shad makes its spring return. This mainly saltwater fish comes up the Saint Lawrence and Des Prairies Rivers during spawning season in order to reproduce.