The Herring Run in Massachusetts: Spring’s Quiet Wildlife Spectacle
Every spring in Massachusetts, something ancient stirs beneath the surface of our rivers. As the water warms, thousands of river herring — alewives and blueback herring — return from the Atlantic to the exact freshwater streams where they were born. This annual migration, known simply as the herring run, is one of New England’s most reliable signs that winter is finally loosening its grip.
It’s a small miracle that happens in plain sight, and once you know it’s happening, you start to notice the subtle excitement in the air: the gulls gathering, the osprey circling, the water suddenly alive with silver flashes.
What Exactly Is a Herring Run?
River herring are diadromous fish, meaning they split their lives between saltwater and freshwater. They hatch in ponds and streams, spend their early months growing there, then head out to sea. After several years in the Atlantic, instinct pulls them back home to spawn the next generation.
Massachusetts sees two species:
- Alewife (early spring)
- Blueback herring (late spring)
The run typically begins in late March or early April and peaks through mid‑May, depending on water temperature.
Why the Herring Run Matters
The run isn’t just a quirky local event — it’s a cornerstone of the coastal ecosystem. River herring are a
crucial food source for:
- Osprey
- Herons
- Striped bass
- Bluefish
- Seals
- River otters
- And now, increasingly, bald eagles
When the herring return, everything else wakes up too. It’s the ecological equivalent of turning the lights back on after winter.
🦅 Bald Eagles and the Herring Run
One of the most exciting changes in recent years has been the return of bald eagles to southeastern Massachusetts. After disappearing from the state for decades, they’ve made a dramatic comeback thanks to conservation efforts — and the herring run is one of the seasonal events that draws them in.
During the run, eagles:
- perch in tall riverside trees
- watch for slowed or struggling fish
- swoop down to grab herring near the surface
- occasionally steal fish from gulls (which the gulls do not appreciate)
Seeing an eagle over the river in April has become one of those “I can’t believe this is Massachusetts” moments.
A Tale of Two Coasts: Herring Run vs. Salmon Run
If you’ve ever watched the dramatic salmon runs in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest — the leaping fish, the roaring rivers, the bears lined up like they’re at a sushi conveyor belt — you might assume the herring run is the same thing on a smaller scale.
It is similar… but also wonderfully different.
🐻 Pacific Northwest: Bears
Salmon runs attract grizzlies who stand in the river and casually pluck salmon out of the air. It’s peak nature‑documentary energy.
🕊️ New England: Seagulls
Here?
We get seagulls. Loud, pushy, unapologetic seagulls.
They’re not majestic, but they are extremely committed to the drama.
It’s less “National Geographic” and more “local gossip at the river.”
💀 Salmon die after spawning — herring don’t
Pacific salmon make one heroic, exhausting journey upstream and then die, feeding the ecosystem.
River herring?
They spawn, shake it off, and head back to sea. They can repeat the trip several times over their lifespan.
📏 Scale: Epic vs. Intimate
Salmon runs can look like the river is made of fish.
Herring runs are quieter — thousands, not millions — and concentrated at fish ladders and narrow channels. You can stand a few feet away and watch individual fish make their climb.
🗓️ Timing
- Herring: early spring
- Salmon: late summer into fall
So while the Pacific Northwest is gearing up for berry season and bears, we’re pulling on light jackets and heading to the fish ladder with coffee.
Do People Eat River Herring?
Historically, yes — they were smoked, salted, pickled, and even used as fertilizer. But today, harvesting river herring is banned in Massachusetts due to population declines.
So the only ones feasting during the run are:
- gulls
- osprey
- herons
- bald eagles
- stripers waiting downstream
It’s a wildlife buffet, not a human one.
Where to See the Herring Run
Some of the best spots in Massachusetts include:
- Oliver Mill Park, Middleboro — one of the most popular and photogenic
- Mystic River & Mystic Lakes Dam, Medford
- Parker River, Newbury
- Town Brook, Plymouth
Each has fish ladders, viewing platforms, and plenty of opportunities for photos.
I’ve been watching the herring run for years, and every spring it feels like the river wakes up all at once. The gulls start screaming, the water churns, and suddenly you realize winter is officially over.
