Alewife

Alewife, a silvery fish of the herring family, found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean. Alewives are also found in some lakes of eastern North America and in the Great Lakes. They may reach 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) in length. In the spring, the fish leave the sea and swim upriver to spawn. At this time they are netted by fishermen. Alewives are sold smoked, salted, or canned.

The alewife is Alosa pseudoharengus of the herring family, Clupeidae.