Larry Lofton, the North Attleborough National Fish Hatchery manager, with full-sized American shad.

A container of American shad larvae waiting to be released.

Lofton prepared a hose to release American shad larvae at the Woerd Avenue Boat Access Facility along the Charles River in Waltham.

Bob Zimmerman, Wendi Weber, and Mary Griffin released the shad into the Charles.

“Go forth and propagate!” shouted Griffin, the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.