Saltwater · Spring through autumn as bycatch on bottom rigs; most common May to September

Ocean Pout

Macrozoarces americanus

The ocean pout is an eel-like bottom fish of the cold northwest Atlantic, most often encountered as bycatch off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia — an encounter and identification entry: its long tapering body and fleshy lips always get photographed. It has no chin barbel, unlike the burbot, and is usually released.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ocean Pout — Photo: Steven G. Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Long, tapering eel-like body with a blunt head and fleshy lips
No chin barbel — a key point versus burbot and cusk
Long dorsal and anal fins joined around the tail tip
Small pelvic fins set far forward, under the throat
Dull brown to yellowish colour with darker mottling

Habits

A bottom dweller of cold northwest Atlantic water
Encounter and identification entry: most are caught as groundfish bycatch and released
Feeds on crabs, shellfish, small fish and bottom invertebrates
Lays eggs in guarded gelatinous masses in autumn in some areas
Slow-moving and docile at the surface, despite its eel-like look

Distribution

Halifax, NS · Nova Scotia★ Primary

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

Saint John, NB · New BrunswickCommon

Portland, ME · MaineCommon

Boston, MA · New EnglandCommon

Québec City, QC · QuebecOccasional

Where to find them

Groundfish grounds off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia by boat
Deep harbour mouths where bottom rigs reach mud
Wrecks and rocky ground in cold coastal water

Where they live

Cold bottom over mud and sand off Newfoundland and Nova ScotiaRocky ground and wrecks in coastal waterDeep harbour mouths and channels

How to catch them

Boat bottom fishing Boat

Rig: Medium boat rod, bottom rig with size 2-4 hooks and clam or squid over mud and sand

Bait/lure: Clam, shrimp, squid

Key tip: Fish bottom rigs slowly and release any pout gently — they are seldom kept.

Deep pier bottom fishing Shore

Rig: Pier rod, single bottom sinker and hook with sea worm or clam in deep harbour channels

Bait/lure: Sea worm, clam

Key tip: Treat it as an encounter species: photograph, identify quickly and release.

Best baits & lures

Clam and mussel piecesShrimp and squid stripsSea worms on bottom rigs

Techniques for Ocean Pout →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium boat or pier rod
Line: 20-30 lb mono or braid
Terminal: Bottom rigs with size 2-4 hooks and 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 16-24 in; large fish to about 36 in

On the table

Edible but seldom kept; usually released — an encounter and identification fish, often taken as groundfish bycatch.

Similar species

BurbotBurbot is a freshwater cod relative with a single long chin barbel and round spots; ocean pout is marine, has no barbel and has fleshy lips

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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