Saltwater · Year-round; the everyday catch of winter sea-ice fishing

Arctic Cod

Boreogadus saida

The Arctic cod is the everyday fish of Arctic sea-ice fishing in Canada — the small cod taken through the ice around Nunavut and Northwest Territories coastal communities, and in summer from shore and small boats. It is also the key forage fish of the Arctic food web, feeding seals, whales and seabirds.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Arctic Cod — Photo: Havforskningsinstituttet, CC BY 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Slender, silvery-brown cod, plain with no strong spots or marbling
Deeply forked tail, unlike the squarer tails of other cods
Small chin barbel and three dorsal fins
Lower jaw slightly projecting, mouth a little upturned
Small size — adults are usually well under 16 in

Habits

Tied to sea ice — shelters and feeds under and around it
The key forage fish of the Arctic food web, feeding seals, whales and seabirds
Schools in cold coastal water, often near river mouths in summer
Feeds on small crustaceans and young fish
Taken year-round, most characteristically through winter sea ice

Distribution

Yellowknife, NT · Northwest Territories & Nunavut★ Primary

St. John's, NL · Newfoundland & LabradorCommon

Anchorage, AK · AlaskaCommon

Where to find them

Sea-ice fishing sites near Nunavut and Northwest Territories coastal communities
Beaufort Sea shore and small-boat water in summer
Arctic bays and river mouths when ice-free

Where they live

Sea ice and cold coastal water of the Beaufort Sea and Arctic ArchipelagoNearshore water around Nunavut and Northwest Territories communitiesShallow Arctic bays and river mouths in summer

How to catch them

Ice jigging through sea ice Shore

Rig: Short ice rod or hand line, small jig lowered through an ice hole over coastal flats

Bait/lure: Small jigs, shrimp pieces

Key tip: Fish close to shore over shallow flats — Arctic cod school under the ice near communities.

Summer shore and boat jigging Shore

Rig: Light spinning rod, small metal jig or baited hook worked over sand and gravel in bays

Bait/lure: Metal jigs, cut fish, shrimp

Key tip: Keep jigs small — this is a small-mouthed, small-bodied cod.

Best baits & lures

Small jigs tipped with shrimpSmall cut-fish piecesTiny spoons fished under the ice

Techniques for Arctic Cod →

Baseline setup

Rod: Short ice rod or light spinning rod
Line: 6-12 lb mono
Terminal: Small jigs, small hooks and tiny spoons

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 6-10 in; large fish rarely to about 16 in

On the table

Fair to good — soft white flesh, often dried locally; check local rules before keeping.

Similar species

Greenland CodGreenland cod is larger and more southerly (West Greenland/Labrador); Arctic cod stays small and is tied to sea ice

Atlantic CodAtlantic cod grows far larger and lives in ice-free Atlantic water; Arctic cod rarely exceeds 40 cm

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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