Saltwater · Year-round; best in the cold months and on summer offshore trips

Atlantic Cod

Gadus morhua

The fish that built the North Atlantic — cod still stack on the banks and wrecks from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Maine, taking jigs and bait fished right on the bottom.

Seasons · Peak

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Atlantic Cod — Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

A single whisker-like barbel on the chin — the cod family's signature
Three dorsal fins and two anal fins, all rounded, with no spines in the first rays
Mottled green-brown to reddish back fading to a white belly; a pale lateral line curves over the pectoral fin
Heavy-bodied with a broad head and a slightly projecting upper jaw
Look-alike: haddock are smaller with a black shoulder blotch and a dark lateral line

Habits

A cold-water bottom feeder — works wrecks, ledges and gravel banks from 60 to 600 ft
Feeds on herring, capelin, shrimp and crabs; big cod hunt right on the bottom
Most active in low light and on the tide; winter inshore moves follow spawning
Juveniles shelter in shallow kelp and cobble; adults range deeper offshore banks

Distribution

Halifax, NS · Atlantic Canada★ Primary

Boston, MA · New England★ Primary

St. John's, NL · Newfoundland & Labrador★ Primary

Québec City, QC · QuebecCommon

Norfolk, VA · Mid-AtlanticOccasional

Where to find them

Offshore banks and ledges off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the Gulf of Maine
Wrecks and rock piles in 100-300 ft out of New England ports
Deep channels and hard bottom in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Where they live

Offshore banks and ledgesWrecks and rock pilesGravel and cobble bottom

How to catch them

Jigging over banks and wrecks

Rig: 6-16 oz metal jig with a teaser hook above, on 40-50 lb braid

Bait/lure: Bare jig, or tip the teaser with clam or squid

Key tip: Let the jig hit bottom, then lift-drop in a steady rhythm — cod often take on the fall.

Bait fishing a high-low rig

Rig: Two-hook bottom rig, 8-16 oz bank sinker, 5/0 circle hooks

Bait/lure: Clam, squid or cut herring

Key tip: Keep the rig hard on bottom and give cod time to mouth the bait before lifting.

Best baits & lures

Clam or squid strips on a high-low rigDiamond and Norwegian jigs, 6-16 ozCut herring or mackerel on a bottom rig

Techniques Academy →

Baseline setup

Rod: 7' medium-heavy conventional boat rod
Line: 40-50 lb braid, 40 lb mono leader
Terminal: Metal jigs 6-16 oz, high-low rigs, bank sinkers

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 2-10 lb; large specimens 20-40 lb

On the table

Excellent — the classic white fish of fish and chips; mild, flaky fillets. Stocks are managed carefully, so handle limits with respect.

Similar species

HaddockHaddock are smaller, with a dark lateral line and a black 'thumbprint' blotch above the pectoral fin; cod have a pale lateral line and no blotch

PollockPollock have a projecting lower jaw, NO chin barbel, and a straighter lateral line; cod carry a clear chin barbel

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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