Saltwater · Year-round in deep water; most targeted spring through early fall
Sablefish
Anoplopoma fimbria
The black cod — sablefish live deep on the continental slope from Alaska to California and are prized for the richest, most buttery flesh on the coast. Electric reels and deep-drop rigs made this deepwater delicacy a realistic target.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Dark grey to almost black back and upper sides, fading to a pale grey belly — the black cod look
- Two dorsal fins set far apart: a spiny first fin and a soft second fin opposite the anal fin
- Forked tail and smooth, almost scaleless-feeling skin
- No chin barbel, which separates it at a glance from true cods
- Look-alike: Pacific cod carry a chin barbel and three dorsal fins; lingcod have one long dorsal fin and fang teeth
Habits
- Lives on muddy continental-slope bottom in 600-2,500 ft, shallower in northern fjords
- Feeds on squid, herring, crustaceans and small fish near the bottom
- Young fish live in shallow bays and fjords for their first years before moving deep
- Migrates long distances along the slope — tagged fish travel thousands of kilometres
Distribution
Where to find them
- Fjord channels and deep inlets of southeast Alaska and the BC north coast
- Continental-slope mud off the Washington and Oregon coasts in 700-1,200 ft
- Deep holes off Vancouver Island near Campbell River
- Deep-water banks off California reached with electric reels
Where they live
How to catch them
Deep-drop bait fishing
Rig: Electric reel, 3-5 lb weight, two-hook rig with circle hooks and a deep-drop light
Bait/lure: Squid, herring strips or octopus
Key tip: Fish muddy bottom on the slope and keep the rig right on the deck. Check baits often — sablefish mouth baits softly.
Deep jigging fjords
Rig: Heavy jig of 12-20 oz worked in long lifts just off bottom
Bait/lure: Metal jigs in silver, glow and black
Key tip: In northern fjords sablefish come shallower — work the jig slowly through the lowest 30 ft.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 6-7 ft deep-drop rod, heavy, electric reel
- Line: 65 lb braid
- Terminal: Deep-drop rigs, circle hooks 6/0-8/0, 3-5 lb weights
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 3-10 lb; large specimens 20-30 lb
On the table
Excellent — famously rich, buttery white flesh (the black cod of fine dining); superb smoked or miso-glazed.
Similar species
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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