Saltwater · Year-round; best November to February

Pacific Tomcod

Microgadus proximus

The Pacific tomcod is a small cod with a chin barbel that in Canada is a winter pier fish in BC. Around Vancouver and Seattle it is targeted in winter and often taken as bycatch while it grubbs along the bottom for shrimp.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Pacific Tomcod — Photo: Barton Warren Evermann / Edmund Lee Goldsborough, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons (Historical scientific illustration — the only clear Commons image of this species.)

Identifying features

Small cod shape with three dorsal fins and two anal fins
Single small barbel on the chin
Dusky olive-brown above, pale below, with fine speckling
Second dorsal and anal fins long-based
Vent is under the first dorsal fin area — a small-cod detail

Habits

A small true cod of inshore waters, most numerous in winter
Feeds on the bottom on shrimp, worms and small fish
Moves into bays and estuaries in the cold months
Often taken as bycatch while fishing for other pier species
Nocturnal tendency, but bites by day in winter

Distribution

Vancouver, BC · British Columbia★ Primary

Puget Sound, WA · Washington★ Primary

Victoria, BC · British ColumbiaCommon

Campbell River, BC · British ColumbiaCommon

Prince Rupert, BC · British ColumbiaCommon

Juneau, AK · AlaskaCommon

Westport, WA · WashingtonCommon

Portland, OR · OregonCommon

San Francisco, CA · CaliforniaOccasional

Where to find them

Winter piers around Vancouver and Victoria
Harbour bottoms in Burrard Inlet and Victoria Harbour
Estuary mouths on southern Vancouver Island

Where they live

Pier and dock bottoms in harboursSandy and muddy baysEstuary channels in winter

How to catch them

Bottom bait fishing from piers Shore

Rig: Light rod, small weight and size 6-8 hook with bait resting on the pier bottom

Bait/lure: Prawn pieces, herring strips

Key tip: In winter fish slowly and close to the bottom — bites are light and a soft strike avoids tearing out.

Sabiki and small-bait fishing Shore

Rig: Sabiki or single hook near the bottom in harbour bays, moved very slowly

Bait/lure: Sabiki rig tipped with tiny shrimp pieces

Key tip: A shrimp-tipped sabiki takes tomcod and other small pier fish on the same drop.

Best baits & lures

Small pieces of prawn or shrimpCut herring or anchovy stripsSandworm and clam pieces

Techniques for Pacific Tomcod →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light to medium 7 ft spinning rod
Line: 6-10 lb mono
Terminal: Size 6-8 hooks, small sinkers, sabiki rigs

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 6-9 in; large fish to about 12 in

On the table

Edible — soft white flesh, best fresh as small fillets or whole; not highly prized.

Similar species

Atlantic TomcodAtlantic tomcod is the Atlantic sister species, on average larger with a relatively shorter snout; Pacific tomcod is smaller, with a longer snout and barbel proportions of the Pacific form

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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