Saltwater · Year-round; best June to October

Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

The spiny dogfish is the shark anglers in Canada actually catch, common in BC waters from Vancouver to the north coast and also in Atlantic Canada. It takes bottom baits willingly, but carries a mildly venomous spine in front of each dorsal fin and demands respectful handling.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Spiny Dogfish — Photo: Magnefl, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Small shark with a sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin — WARNING: mildly venomous, handle with care
No anal fin, unlike most other sharks
Grey-brown above with white spots along the sides
Large greenish eyes and blunt snout
Skin is rough; skin promptly if keeping, and avoid the dorsal spines

Habits

The shark anglers actually catch — common and willing on bait
Ambushes fish and crabs on or near the bottom
Often steals baits and hooked fish from other anglers
Females carry pups and give birth to live young
Spines can inflict a painful, mildly venomous sting

Distribution

Vancouver, BC · British Columbia★ Primary

Victoria, BC · British Columbia★ Primary

Prince Rupert, BC · British Columbia★ Primary

Puget Sound, WA · Washington★ Primary

Westport, WA · Washington★ Primary

Campbell River, BC · British ColumbiaCommon

Saint John, NB · New BrunswickCommon

Halifax, NS · Nova ScotiaCommon

St. John's, NL · Newfoundland & LabradorCommon

Anchorage, AK · AlaskaCommon

Juneau, AK · AlaskaCommon

Portland, OR · OregonCommon

San Francisco, CA · CaliforniaCommon

Portland, ME · MaineCommon

Boston, MA · New EnglandCommon

Where to find them

Deep channels in Howe Sound and the Strait of Georgia
Boat bottom grounds around Vancouver, Victoria and Campbell River
Pier ends on the BC coast where bottom fish are taken

Where they live

Deep channels and reefs in sounds and straitsMuddy and sandy bottoms in baysPier ends and boat bottom-fishing grounds

How to catch them

Boat bottom fishing Boat

Rig: Medium-heavy rod, heavy weight and strong 5/0-7/0 hook with wire leader over reefs and channels

Bait/lure: Herring strips, squid, fish chunks

Key tip: Use a wire leader — teeth and rough skin cut light leaders, and always avoid the dorsal spines.

Pier and shore bottom bait Shore

Rig: Heavier spinning rod, sliding sinker and large hook cast from deep pier ends

Bait/lure: Whole small baitfish, crabs

Key tip: Handle the fish away from the dorsal spine, unhook with pliers and skin promptly if keeping.

Best baits & lures

Cut herring or squid on a strong hookWhole small fish or fish stripsCrabs and large baitfish chunks

Techniques for Spiny Dogfish →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium-heavy 7-8 ft rod
Line: 20-30 lb mono or braid with wire or heavy leader
Terminal: Strong 5/0-7/0 hooks, heavy sinkers, wire leader

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 24-36 in; large fish to about 48 in

On the table

Edible if skinned promptly and cooked fresh — sold as rock salmon elsewhere; handle with care (see warning) and follow local advice.

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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