Bi-State Shad Fishing Contest – April 24th to 27th, 2025

Welcome to our  website, my name is Eric Fistler, and I have lived by and fished the Delaware River, my entire life. I started the Bi-State Shad Fishing Contest in 2011 after the Easton Shad tournament ceased operations. The Bi-State Shad Fishing Contest is a fun-filled family event, with something for everyone. There is a top ten payout, along with 3 daily prizes. there are 2 senior bonus prizes, a veterans bonus prize, a top 3 women’s bonus prizes, and top 5 kids bonus prizes, in 2 age groups. Age 11 and under, and Age 12 to 15. Prize amounts are determined by entry fees and sponsorship fees.  Pending approval, a Yamaha G3 Boat, with a 90/65 Jet drive, and Bear Trailer, will be given away. Included with your registration, all contestants are entered into a drawing for the boat package giveaway. Fishing takes place anywhere on the Delaware River. Tributaries are off-limit.

Online registration. Please note that you can only register and pay for one person at a time. Follow the online instructions to choose either adult, or kids option, and shirt size. We are asking that contestants try to pick up your contest t/shirt, either during the contest, or Monday, April 28 2025  6 pm, at the awards ceremony, located at the Phillipsburg boat launch.

2025 Shad Contest Dates Are  April 24, 25, 26, 27

Shad Contest Update:      As stated on our website, the give away boat is on a year to year basis. This year we were approved for the 90/65 Yamaha Jetdrive Motor, but we were not approved for the Yamaha G3 Boat. We have to purchase the boat at a discounted cost. The grand prize for the contest was $20,000 for 5 years, and then in 2024, we had money left over from the previous year, and were able to raise the grand prize to $25,000. If contestant registrations, and sponsorship dollars stay the same as in 2024, we should be able to keep the grand prize at $20,000. I will however do away with the 4th place daily prizes. There may be changes to the dollar amount on other prizes, if need be. Our volunteers are working very hard with our sponsorship drive, to raise additional money, to minimize the prize cuts. We still have 2 weeks left for our sponsorship drive. You can click on the download now button for our sponsorship proposal form. Any help would be much appreciated. Personal donations are also welcomed. Ask your local businesses if they are interested. They can not tell you no, if you do not ask.Reach out to me with any questions on our sponsorship drive. Eric 610 762 0440

The give away boat will be a 17 foot package boat, with the rod lockers, live well, and bilge pump. A 90/65 Yamaha Jetdrive, will also be included, along with a trailer.

As for the shad fishing, it has picked up big time over the past few days. There are good reports all up and down the river, along with some big roe in the mix. 30 fish in a few hours of fishing, are common. I was out for a few hours before work on Friday, and landed 30, and lost many others. There are breaks in between the pods, but the river has plenty of shad running up river.  Good luck to everyone, and see you on the water

shadfishingcontest.com

Finals for day 1
1st         5.000 lbs      Jeb Slawik
2nd      4.945 lbs      Lou Schwarz
3rd       4.830 lbs      Justin Bird

Finals for day 2     
1st        4.950 lbs           Courtney Blanchard
2nd      4.835 lbs           Macy Silva
3rd       4.785 lbs           Eric Summitt

2024 Bi-State Shad Fishing Contest Champion
Ryan Peterson