The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua
Atlantic Cod Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 22–34 in, 4–15 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to just over 4 ft and 77 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 20 years or more |
| Range | Northwest Atlantic from Greenland to Cape Hatteras; in US waters most common on Georges Bank and in the western Gulf of Maine. |
| Habitat | Cold water over rocky ledges, gravel and coarse broken bottom, generally 30–500 ft. |
| Diet | Herring, sand lance and other small fish along with crabs, shellfish and worms picked off the bottom. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Atlantic Cod
- heavy body, color variable (greenish to reddish-brown) with many small spots
- pale, gently curved (arched) white lateral line
- prominent single chin barbel
- three dorsal fins and two anal fins
- squared-off tail; upper jaw overhangs the lower
Tell it apart: A pale curved white lateral line plus a clear chin barbel and overhanging upper jaw separate cod from the dark-lined, thumbprint-marked haddock and the jutting-jawed, forked-tailed pollock.
Easily confused with: Haddock, Pollock
Side by side: Atlantic Cod vs Haddock, Atlantic Cod vs Pollock
How to Catch Atlantic Cod
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- Best in the cold months, October-April - drift wrecks and ledges with clam-baited rigs or work heavy diamond jigs near the bottom.GearCod diamond jigsClam-bait rigsConventional jigging rod
When & Where Atlantic Cod Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Offshore |
Atlantic Cod Regulations
New YorkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Marine ResourcesConnecticutConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marine FisheriesRhode IslandRhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Division of Marine FisheriesMassachusettsMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), Department of Fish and Game / Mass.govNew HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and Game Department (Marine Fisheries Division)MaineMaine Department of Marine Resources (DMR)NOAA Fisheries (Greater Atlantic Region / New England-Mid-Atlantic)NEFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFC
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.