Overview
Fundamental fish for Alaska fishing. Abundant, easy to catch, and excellent to eat.
Identification
Chin barbelThree dorsal finsTwo anal finsProminent lateral linesForked caudal finBroad headLarge mouthProtruding eyes
- Body
- The body is elongated and slightly compressed on the sides.
- Colouration
- The back is usually brownish-green, while the flanks and belly are lighter.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not evident
- Growth
- Fast, especially in the first years of life.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Gadidae
- Order
- Gadiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Gadus morhuaGadus ogacPollachius virensMerluccius merlucciusTheragra chalcogramma
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, gravel, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Primarily found in the North Pacific, from Alaska to the Sea of Japan.
- Micro-habitat
- Often hides among rocks and marine ledges.
Prefers areas with an abundance of marine flora and bottom cover.
Presence by sea area
Na Pacifico NwPeak
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
As Giappone NordPeak
As Mar GiapponePeak
As OkhotskPeak
Arctic PacificoPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, small fish, polychaetes
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, cephalopods, mollusks
- Occasional prey
- echinoderms, other small fish
- Feeding behaviour
- Opportunistic predator, actively hunts day and night.
- Natural predators
- seals, sea lions, orcas
Often utilizes tides and currents to feed more efficiently.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undertakes seasonal migrations for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In winter it migrates to deeper waters for spawning, while in summer it returns to coastal areas.
- Juveniles
- Young fish school together for protection.
- Adults
- Adults can be solitary or form small groups.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- January, February
- Spawning depth
- between 50 and 200 meters
- Eggs
- Demersal, adhesive, and small eggs.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae that feed on plankton.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Pacific Cod
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn
Night—
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
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
ReefsUnderwater canyonsShallow sandy bottomsRocky coastal areas
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
LongliningTrawlingTrollingOffshore fishing
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoDeep DroppingBolentino MedioDriftingSlow JiggingVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
Fresh minnowsSquidShrimpWorms
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
- When hooked, it fights vigorously with lateral surges.
- Handling
- Use a cloth to avoid slipping.
- Release
- Release carefully to avoid damage to their fins and gills.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for Pacific cod is 57.38 lb caught in Kodiak Island, Alaska in 2013. On average, adult specimens reach a length of about 31-39 inches and a weight of 11-33 lb.
- In the kitchen
- Used for making bacalao or dried for direct consumption.
- Cultural notes
- Important in Alaskan culture as staple food.
- Historical notes
- Traditional fishing in Alaska for many generations, crucial for the local economy.
