Many anglers place their early-season decisions on whether or not to stick to trout fishing or head to the river for shad on [Fred Lewis]' net results. But by now it's affirmed that shad can be had from New Hope to the Delaware Water Gap - perhaps even farther north. April's end and the first week of May are typically hot times in the Easton through Shawnee stretch with upriver locations providing shad as the season progresses. Catches were reported last weekend at Easton, Martin's Creek and the PP&L plant areas, just south of Foul Rift with more action being reported by late week. These areas are also the best bets for this week.

3 - Easton, PA: Paved boat launch; good shore fishing near Lehigh river mouth downstream from the Route 22 bridge; also, good fishing near the bridge.

8 - Delaware Water Gap: Launch from the New Jersey side off Route 80; plenty of productive water; good boat fishing; best shore fishing from Pennsylvania side at lower end of deep water.