Atlantic CodorHaddock
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Atlantic Cod
Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail.
Atlantic cod, next to haddock: pale lateral line, no thumbprint.
Haddock
BLACK lateral line and the 'devil's thumbprint' smudge above the pectoral; tall pointed first dorsal.
Haddock, next to Atlantic cod: black lateral line and the thumbprint blotch.
Side by side
| Atlantic Cod | Haddock | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gadus morhua | Melanogrammus aeglefinus |
| Also called | Codfish | — |
| Waters | Offshore | Offshore |
| Heaviest state record | 98 lb 12 oz · New Hampshire (1969) | 20 lb · Massachusetts (1974) |
| On the table | The classic whitefish. | Excellent — sweeter than cod. |
| Rules of its own in | 10 states | 7 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 10 of 10 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, Atlantic cod is No retention, 0 and haddock is Per federal regulations, Per federal regulations. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Cod: size · bag · season | Haddock: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | No retention0Closed all yearPut it backCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Per federal regulationsPer federal regulationsPer federal regulationsOpenCT DEEP 2026 · likely · checked |
| Delaware | No retention0Closed all yearPut it backFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Maine | 23" min1 per daySep 1 - Oct 31OpenME DMR 2026 · checked | 17" min15 per dayOpen year-round except Mar 1-31 (no possession)OpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | No retention0Closed all yearPut it backFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Massachusetts | 23 in min (Gulf of Maine)North of Cape Cod: 1 · south of Cape Cod: noneNorth: Sep 1–Oct 31 · south of Cape Cod: closedCheckNOAA GARFO 2026 / MA DMF 2026 · checked | 17 in min (Gulf of Maine) · 18 in south of Cape Cod15 per day (Gulf of Maine) · no limit south of Cape CodDepends on where · Gulf of Maine: closed MarchCheckMA DMF 2026 (322 CMR 6.03) · checked |
| New Hampshire | 23 in TL min1 fish/dayOpen Sep 1 - Oct 31 (closed Nov 1 - Aug 31)OpenNH F&G 2026 · checked | 17 in min15 per dayOpen year-round except Mar 1 – Mar 31OpenNH F&G 2026 · likely · checked |
| New Jersey | 23 in min5Jan 1 - May 31 and Sep 1 - Dec 31OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked | 18 in minNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | 23"5Sept 1 - May 31OpenNY DEC 2026 · checked | 18"No bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | N/ANo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backRI DEM 2026 · checked | 18" minNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | No retention0Closed all yearPut it backFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic cod or haddock, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Atlantic cod from haddock?
Atlantic Cod: Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail. Haddock: BLACK lateral line and the 'devil's thumbprint' smudge above the pectoral; tall pointed first dorsal. Haddock, next to Atlantic cod: black lateral line and the thumbprint blotch. Atlantic cod, next to haddock: pale lateral line, no thumbprint.
Which gets bigger, Atlantic cod or haddock?
Atlantic Cod. The heaviest state record we hold is 98 lb 12 oz in New Hampshire; the heaviest haddock record is 20 lb in Massachusetts.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic cod or haddock?
Atlantic Cod: The classic whitefish. Haddock: Excellent — sweeter than cod.
Do Atlantic cod and haddock have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 10 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic cod No retention, 0, haddock Per federal regulations, Per federal regulations; Maine: Atlantic cod 23" min, 1 per day, haddock 17" min, 15 per day; Massachusetts: Atlantic cod 23 in min (Gulf of Maine), North of Cape Cod: 1 · south of Cape Cod: none, haddock 17 in min (Gulf of Maine) · 18 in south of Cape Cod, 15 per day (Gulf of Maine) · no limit south of Cape Cod; New Hampshire: Atlantic cod 23 in TL min, 1 fish/day, haddock 17 in min, 15 per day; New Jersey: Atlantic cod 23 in min, 5, haddock 18 in min, No bag limit; and more in the table on this page.