Saltwater · Cold water year-round in depth; best encounters in winter
Pacific Spiny Dogfish
Squalus suckleyi
The small cold-water shark of the North Pacific — 곱상어. Scientifically split from the Atlantic dogfish in 2010 (S. suckleyi is the North Pacific species and must not be lumped with S. acanthias — the ledger flags this explicitly). It is met over deep east-coast troughs, mainly as a companion of deep-water fisheries; sport boat anglers can reach it with heavy bottom rigs.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Slender grey shark with white spots on the flanks
- A spine in front of each dorsal fin
- No anal fin — typical of dogfish
- White belly, grey back
- Reaches about 51 in (130 cm) — the North Pacific dogfish
Habits
- A true small shark of the cold North Pacific
- The species was split from Atlantic spiny dogfish in 2010 — S. suckleyi, not S. acanthias
- Ranges in schools following cold water
- Mostly taken as deep-water fishery bycatch; boat anglers meet it over deep troughs
- Spines in front of both dorsal fins — care in handling
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Pohang deep grounds, east coast
- Ulleungdo deep channels
- Sokcho cold water
Where they live
How to catch them
Deep boat bottom fishing Boat
Rig: Heavy bottom rig with fish strips and a wire leader fished from a boat over 200-500 ft cold troughs
Bait/lure: Fish strips (herring or mackerel)
Key tip: Dogfish have spines and sharp teeth — handle with gloves and long tools; a clean release at the side is safer than boating it.
Anchoring over deep channels Boat
Rig: Anchored heavy bottom rig with squid set over channel edges of deep dogfish grounds
Bait/lure: Squid strips
Key tip: Schools pass through — if the first dogfish is on, stay; the school often lingers.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Heavy 7-8 ft boat rod
- Line: 30-50 lb monofilament or braid, wire leader
- Terminal: Large hooks size 5/0-7/0 on wire or heavy mono leader, heavy 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 28-39 in (70-100 cm); large females about 51 in (130 cm)
On the table
Edible — used as a modest food fish in Korea; liver oil traditional. Note: this is S. suckleyi, not the Atlantic S. acanthias.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
Plan a trip for Pacific Spiny Dogfish
Build today's plan