Shad Derby

2026 Shad Derby Announcement: While the Shad Derby is typically held over two weekends, after careful monitoring of forecasted river conditions for this weekend (May 16 & 17), we've made the difficult decision to cancel the second weekend of the annual Shad Derby out of an abundance of caution for public safety. Though these aren't record-breaking water levels, river flows are currently running higher than what we typically see this time of year. HG&E will post the 2026 Contest Result by Tuesday, May 19 on this page, and will work with the individual winners on prize delivery. 

2026 HG&E Shad Derby
Dates: May 9, 10, 16*, 17*
Time: 9 am – 5 pm

*Canceled due to high water flows

HG&E Shad Derby - Official Rules

  1. Shad must be caught by hook and line on “Derby Days” anywhere in the Holyoke, South Hadley, and Chicopee area.
  2. Shad must be weighed as soon as possible on the same day that they are caught, at the Shad Derby headquarters, located at The Robert E. Barrett Fishway Visitors Center. Official weighing is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Derby Days. Prizes to be awarded on the final day of the derby.
  3. Shad may be dressed-out at Derby officials discretion.
  4. In case of ties, registration blank bearing earliest time will be the winner.
  5. Judge’s decision will be final in all cases.
  6. Judges reserve the right to refuse any questionable shad entries.
  7. No contestant may win more than one prize.
  8. Fishing license must be shown when submitting any shad for derby prize.

Shad Derby Results

The 2025 HG&E Shad Derby was held on May 17/18. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Paige Neal, West Springfield, 4.22 lb.
2nd. Pierre Grenier, Ludlow, 4.08 lb.
3rd. Alex Kashmanian, Charlton, 4.08 lb.
4th. Jason Fava, Agawam, 4.04 lb.
5th. Peter Martynyuk, Westfield, 4.02 lb.
6th. Kyle Axsom, Belchertown, 4.00 lb.
7th. Michael Giec, Chicopee, 3.94 lb.
8th. Chris Bliss, West Springfield, 3.92 lb.
9th. Chris Welch, Southampton, 3.92 lb.
10th. Mark Dufault, Granby, 3.90 lb.
 
Junior Division
1st. Jesse Locke, Southampton, 3.68 lb.
2nd. Anatoliy Yanyuk, Chicopee, 3.66 lb.
3rd. Henry Beauvais, Guilford CT, 3.64 lb.
4th. Lucas Baez Montanez, West Springfield, 3.62 lb.
5th. Jack Ostriker, Grafton, 3.52 lb.
6th. Michael Bidon, East Longmeadow, 3.50 lb.
7th. Lincoln Gioiosi, East Longmeadow, 3.32 lb.
8th. Jackson Wodecki, Chicopee, 3.30 lb.
9th. Janeri Rosario, Springfield, 3.28 lb.
10th. Benjamin Okhrimenko, Westfield, 3.26 lb.
 
DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) 
Michael Bidon, East Longmeadow MA.

 

The 2024 HG&E Shad Derby was held on the weekends of May 11/12 and 18/19. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Andrew Carnevale, Enfield CT. 4.56 lb.
2nd.  Anthony Pieczarka, Chicopee, 4.38 lb.
3rd. Leonardo Santiago, Chicopee, 4.36 lb.
4th. Christopher Cutler, Adams, 4.34 lb.
5th. David Radebaugh, Belchertown, 4.24 lb.
6th. Dennis Desroches, Granby, 4.20 lb.
7th. Matthew Walko, Florence, 4.18 lb.
8th. Angel Rodriguez, Holyoke, 4.18 lb.
9th. Carlos Laguer, Chicopee, 4.08 lb.
10th. Mark Dufault, Granby, 4.08 lb.
Junior Division
1st. Matthew Ortiz, Springfield, 4.18 lb.
2nd. Sachira Mantilla, Holyoke, 3.84 lb.
3rd. Cameron Ford, Chicopee, 3.80 lb.
4th. Roman Boston, Westfield, 3.70 lb.
5th. JJ Frost, West Springfield, 3.68 lb.
6th. Matthew Katko, Westfield, 3.62 lb.
7th. Adam Ozga, South Hadley, 3.62 lb.
8th. Alice Christman, Pittsfield, 3.62 lb.
9th. Lucas Baez Montanez, West Springfield, 3.56 lb.
10th. Joey Yiznitsky, Holland, 3.56 lb.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Grayson Danforth, Greenfield, NH.

The 2023 HG&E Shad Derby was held on the weekends of May 13/14 and 20/21. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Richard Pianka, Cromwell CT, 4.04 lb.  
2nd. Anthony Bystrek, Portland CT, 3.98 lb.
3rd. Pablo Serrano, Springfield, 3.88 lb.
4th. Anthony Pieczorn, Chicopee, 3.86 lb.
5th. Steven Wood, Belchertown, 3.86 lb.
6th. Brian Hillard, Pittsfield, 3.84 lb.
7th. Jeffery Metcalf, Chicopee, 3.80 lb.
8th. David Bello, Springfield, 3.76 lb.
9th. Christopher Cutler, Adams, 3.72 lb.
10th. Michael Gladu, Holyoke, 3.66 lb.

Junior Division
1st. Yadriel Torres, Holyoke, 3.28 lb.
2nd. Josiel Rosario, Springfield, 3.26 lb.
3rd. Jansiel Rosario, Springfield, 3.18 lb.
4th. Liam Welch, Westfield, 3.10 lb.
5th. Angelina Morales, Chicopee, 3.02 lb.
6th. Shellsea Figueroa, Holyoke, 2.96 lb.
7th. Matthew Walko, Florence, 2.88 lb.
8th. Jayce Bernard, Holyoke, 2.86 lb.
9th. Owen Buchanan, Chicopee, 2.68 lb.
10th. Jacob Ozga, South Hadley, 2.54 lb.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Michael Denault, East Longmeadow

The 2022 HG&E Shad Derby was held the weekends of May 14/15 and 21/22. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Robert Layton, Granby, 4.30 lb.
2nd. Edwin Ortiz, Indian Orchard, 4.26 lb.
3rd. Brendon Couture, South Hadley, 4.22 lb.
4th. Jason Lemire, Springfield, 4.10 lb.
5th. Jeffery Metcalf, Chicopee, 4.08 lb.
6th. Carlos Viust, Holyoke, 4.08 lb.
7th. Chris Welch, Southampton, 3.96 lb.
8th. Ray Welch, Southampton, 3.96 lb.
9th. Al Valiquette, Springfield, 3.92 lb.
10th. Louie Beauvais, West Suffield, 3.86 lb.

Junior Division
1st. Anesa Rivera, Holyoke, 3.98 lb.
2nd. Justin Rivera, Chicopee, 3.88 lb.
3rd. Austin Layton, Granby, 3.62 lb.
4th. Xavian Burgos, Holyoke, 3.32 lb.
5th. Owen Santos, Holyoke, 3.16 lb.
6th. Samuel Kravets, Westfield, 3.12 lb.
7th. Matthew Walko, Florence, 2.96 lb.
8th. Jenessa Figueroa, Holyoke, 2.80 lb.
9th. Logan Resto, Springfield, 2.80 lb.
10th. Shellsa Figueroa, Holyoke, 2.16 lb.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Justin Rivera, Chicopee

The 2019 HG&E Shad Derby was held the weekends of May 11/12 and 18/19. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Jason Tear, Easthampton, 4.50 lb.
2nd. Anthony Pieczarka, Chicopee, 4.42 lb.
3rd. Chris Beauchesne, Dudley, 4.32 lb.
4th. Rafael Ayaia, Westfield, 4.24 lb.
5th. Bob Fontaine, Holyoke, 4.20 lb.
6th. David Rodebaugh, Beltchertown, 4.18 lb.
7th. Bob Everett, Holyoke, 4.18 lb.
8th. Peter Martynyuk, Westfield, 4.18 lb.
9th. John Tenczar, Holyoke, 4.18 lb.
10th. Alex Theriault, 4.16 lb.

Junior Division
1st. Jack Ryan, Westfield, 4.04 lb.
2nd. Justin Rivera, Chicopee, 3.96 lb.
3rd. Adien Theriault, Holyoke, 3.82 lb.
4th. Gary Lyncosky, West Springfield, 3.74 lb.
5th. Andrew Pieczarka, Chicopee, 3.72 lb.
6th. Michael Lyncosky Jr., West Springfield, 3.70 lb.
7th. Zachary Gaudet, Russell, 3.62 lb.
8th. Jeremiah Santiago, West Brookfield, 3.62 lb.
9th. Lucas Baez Montainez, Springfield, 3.60 lb.
10th. Jacob Ozga, South Hadley, 3.48 lb.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Mark Rotar, Southwick

The 2018 HG&E Shad Derby was held the weekends of May 12/13 and 19/20. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Mike Govoni, Monson, 4.90 lb.
2nd. Louie Beauvais, West Suffield, 4.70 lb.
3rd. Alexis Pagan Cruz, Indian Orchard, 4.62 lb.
4th. Edward Pratt Jr., Florence, 4.58 lb.
5th. Gary Lyncosky, West Springfield, 4.54 lb.
6th. Michael Milhait, Enfield, CT, 4.52 lb.
7th. Jack Maspo, Holyoke, 4.48 lb.
8th. Leonardo Santiago, Springfield, 4.46 lb.
9th. Ken Rogers, Chicopee, 4.42 lb.
10th. Benjamin Figueroa, Springfield, 4.42 lb.

Junior Division
1st. Gary Walker, West Springfield, 4.46 lb.
2nd. Connor Riopelli, Holyoke, 4.20 lb.
3rd. Xavier Rivera, Holyoke, 4.18 lb.
4th. Michael Walker, West Springfield, 4.18 lb.
5th. Said Guzman, Holyoke, 4.16 lb.
6th. Anthony Hough, Holyoke, 4.14 lb.
7th. 4.04 lb.
8th. Justin Rivera, Chicopee, 4.02 lb.
9th. Tyler Wheelock, West Springfield, 4.02 lb.
10th. Ethan Theriault, Holyoke, 3.98 lb.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Jacob Ozga, South Hadley

The 2017 HG&E Shad Derby was held the weekends of May May 13/14 and 20/21. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Kathy Welch, Chicopee, 5 lbs. 5 oz.
2nd. David Radenbaugh, Belchertown, 5 lbs. 2.25 oz.
3rd. Chris Delviscio, Springfield, 5 lbs. 2 oz.
4th. Brian Hart, Agawam, 5 lbs. 1 oz.
5th. Scott Neas, South Hadley, 5 lbs. 0 oz.
6th. Stephen Allen, Enfield, CT, 4 lbs. 15.5 oz.
7th. Doug Hill, West Springfield, 4 lbs. 14.75 oz.
8th. Mike Lord, Monson, 4 lbs. 14 oz.
9th. Chris Bliss, West Springfield, 4 lbs 14 oz.
10th. Mike Govoni, Monson, 4 lbs. 14 oz.

Junior Division
1st. Andrew Pieczarka, Chicopee, 5 lbs. 2.25 oz.
2nd. Justin Rivera, Chicopee, 4 lbs. 10 oz.
3rd. Nolan Morin, Chicopee, 4 lbs. 9.5 oz.
4th. Gary Lyncosky, West Springfield, 4 lbs. 9.5 oz.
5th. Mike Lyncosky, West Springfield, 4 lbs. 8.5 oz.
6th. Brian Hart, Agawam, 4 lbs. 3.5 oz.
7th. Ethan Theriault, Holyoke, 4 lbs. 3.25 oz.
8th. Owen Guyer, Chicopee, 4 lbs. 2.5 oz.
9th. Adam Ozga, South Hadley, 4 lbs. 2 oz.
10th. Bobby Birchenough, Wales, 3 lbs. 14.5 oz.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Justin Rivera, Chicopee

The 2016 HG&E Shad Derby was held the weekends of May May 14/15 and 21/22. A list of the derby winners follows below:

Senior Division
1st. Richard Pianka, Cromwell, CT 4 lbs. 9.5 oz.
2nd. Pete Mitchell, East Brookfield, 4 lbs. 8 oz.
3rd. David Radebaugh, Belchertown, 4 lbs. 7.5 oz.
4th. Bob Everett, Holyoke, 4 lbs. 7 oz.
5th. Chris Bliss, Belchertown, 4 lbs. 6.5 oz.
6th. Michael Lyncosky, West Springfield, 4 lbs. 6.5 oz.
7th. Jason Arias, Springfield, 4 lbs. 6 oz.
8th. Alan Riopelli, Holyoke, 4 lbs. 5.5 oz.
9th. Al Valiquette, Springfield, 4 lbs 5 oz.
10th. Tony Bystrek, Portland, CT, 4 lbs. 4.5 oz.

Junior Division
1st. Connor Riopelli, Holyoke, 4 lbs. 2.5 oz.
2nd. Gary Lyncosky, West Springfield, 4 lbs. 1.5 oz.
3rd. Autumn Welch, Easthampton, 4 lbs. 0.5 oz.
4th. Glenny Then, Holyoke, 4 lbs. 0 oz.
5th. Justin Rivera, Chicopee, 3 lbs. 15.5 oz.
6th. Luke Latour, Florence, 3 lbs. 14.5 oz.
7th. Nathan Crosby, Easthampton, 3 lbs. 14.5 oz.
8th. Andrew Pieczarka, Chicopee, 3 lbs. 14.5 oz.
9th. Daniel Rotar, Southwick, 3 lbs. 14 oz.
10th. Cody Demers, Wales, 3 lbs. 13 oz.

DiNapoli Award (First Fish Award) Conner St. Cyr, Spencer

Contact Info

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Holyoke, MA 01040
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