Overview
Large demersal fish of cold North Atlantic waters, highly sought after.
Identification
Barbel under the chinThree dorsal finsTwo anal finsSmall, smooth scalesLobed caudal finClear lateral lineWide pectoral fins
- Body
- Elongated body with a large head and wide mouth.
- Colouration
- Brownish-green back, lighter sides, and a whitish belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very pronounced
- Growth
- Fast, especially in the early years of life.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Gadidae
- Order
- Gadiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Gadus macrocephalusGadus ogacMelanogrammus aeglefinusPollachius virensMerluccius merluccius
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, mud, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the northern Atlantic, from the Barents Sea to the Gulf of Maine.
- Micro-habitat
- Lives near the seabed, occasionally in schools, foraging.
Prefers bottoms with an abundance of natural shelter.
Presence by sea area
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu BalticoPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Na Atlantico NwPeak
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Arctic AtlanticoPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, lanchetes, capelin
- Secondary prey
- herring, cuttlefish, squid, gobies
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, fish scraps, fish larvae
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts mainly at night, an opportunistic predator, also feeds on smaller fish.
- Natural predators
- seals, Greenland shark, whales, humans
Extremely versatile in feeding methods, increasing its success.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations for spawning and feeding.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In winter months, it moves closer to the coast for spawning.
- Juveniles
- Young fish form schools for protection.
- Adults
- Adults can be solitary or in small groups, often near the bottom.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- January, February, March
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 300 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic and transparent eggs, about 1.5 mm in diameter.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are planktonic and quickly transform into young fish that move to shallower waters.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Atlantic cod
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active, rises towards surface.
Medium
Normal activity along the bottom.
High
Less mobile, stays near the bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
submerged reefsshoalsmixed bottom of sand and mudrocky coasts
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trammel netlonglinehand linetrawl nets
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoDeep Dropping
Recommended baits
herringcuttlefishshrimpsquid
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig medio (40-100g)Paddle tail softbaitSlow pitch jigKabura / Tai rubberSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)Speed jig
Medium
Calamaro interoTrancio di sardinaTrancio di sgombroTrancio/Filetto di aringaGambero morto / GamberoPezzo di pesceSeppia morta
High
ArenicolaEsca naturale (generica)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Struggles vigorously when hooked, especially in the early stages.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid injuries, support well under the belly.
- Release
- Return immediately to the water, avoiding prolonged exposure to air.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle record for Atlantic cod is 44.6 kg, caught in the North Sea in 1969. Reported maximum sizes for Atlantic cod can exceed 50 kg and 180 cm in length.
- In the kitchen
- Mainly used salted as bacalao, a key ingredient in dishes like baccalà alla vicentina.
- Cultural notes
- Iconic in Nordic culture, featured in many ancient stories and myths.
- Historical notes
- Historically important to the economies of coastal communities in Northern Europe. Played a key role in fishing rights disputes.
