We all see the lures that resemble Shad. But I'm wondering if shad are the actual bait fish in the lakes and ponds of Eastern PA and the (Pocono region) lakes.

 

Anyone know?

Alwife, shiner and common minnow are more likely, along with the fry of the naturally reproducing game fish in the lake.

 

There are probably some lakes with shad up that way but they are not a hearty fish at all. Cold water kills them. Raystown in Central PA has a huge shad population as well as Alewife.

 

That being said, a bass is an opportunistic feeder and IMO on sees it as a "fish"

Fished the Pocono region almost my whole life big abundance of shiners in those lakes not so much shad. 

I also hail from the Poconos. One word: PANFISH! I'm not sure why you're asking about baitfish, be it curiousity or for fishing research, but I'll say this: If you're planning a fishing trip and trying to make your lure selection ahead of time, choose baits that match the most common denominator: BLUEGILL. Sure, there are tons of Yellow Perch and Crappies. But Bluegill are everywhere; Alewive and Shad  populations are less consistent. Hope this helps!

 

For the record, I've seen more Alewive schools than shad schools...

With the dominant baitfish being shiners and alewives, I'm wondering if my tactics need to be altered as the fall seasonal patterns you always read about from the pros talk to chasing shad on fall creek migrations into shallows. I'm seeing bait suspended in deep water. Nothing in shallows. All in or close to channel.

Last I saw the bass chasing the baitfish right up to the shore in a little gun club pond. It was pretty interesting. And of course, all fish were caught very close to shore.

Shiners, minnows, and alewife are more common. Alewife being big.

Only shad I see here are the two rivers and they come during spawning time.

PFBC does list shad at certain lakes though.