How do you know if a herring is a male or female?

To determine the sex of a herring, you can examine its physical characteristics during the breeding season. Males typically have a more slender body and a pronounced milt (sperm) when they are ready to spawn, while females are generally rounder and have a fuller abdomen filled with eggs. Additionally, males may exhibit brighter coloration compared to females. However, outside of the breeding season, distinguishing between the sexes can be more challenging.