Atlantic CodorPollock
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 pollock: barbel and square tail.
Pollock
Olive-green cod cousin with a straight pale lateral line, slightly undershot jaw, and forked tail; outfights both cousins.
Pollock, next to Atlantic cod: greenish, faint line, pointed snout.
Side by side
| Atlantic Cod | Pollock | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gadus morhua | Pollachius virens |
| Also called | Codfish | Boston bluefish |
| Waters | Offshore | Offshore |
| Heaviest state record | 98 lb 12 oz · New Hampshire (1969) | 48 lb 2 oz · Massachusetts (1992) |
| On the table | The classic whitefish. | Good — darker than cod, great smoked. |
| Rules of its own in | 7 states | 7 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 6 of 7 states with a rule for either. In Maine, Atlantic cod is 23" min, 1 per day and pollock is No size limit (state waters), No bag limit (state waters). Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Cod: size · bag · season | Pollock: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Per federal regulationsPer federal regulationsPer federal regulationsOpenCT DEEP 2026 · likely · checked | Per federal regulationsPer federal regulationsPer federal regulationsOpenCT DEEP 2026 · likely · checked |
| Maine | 23" min1 per daySep 1 - Oct 31OpenME DMR 2026 · checked | No size limit (state waters)No bag limit (state waters)Open year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | 23 in total length1 per daySept 1 – Oct 31 (2026)OpenFederal rule (Gulf of Maine federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | 19 in total lengthNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (Gulf of Maine federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | 23 in TL min1 fish/dayOpen Sep 1 - Oct 31 (closed Nov 1 - Aug 31)OpenNH F&G 2026 · checked | No size limit in state watersNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | 23 in min5Jan 1 - May 31 and Sep 1 - Dec 31OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked | 19 in minNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | 23"5Sept 1 - May 31OpenNY DEC 2026 · checked | 19"No bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | N/ANo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backRI DEM 2026 · checked | 19" minNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic cod or pollock, 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 pollock?
Atlantic Cod: Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail. Pollock: Olive-green cod cousin with a straight pale lateral line, slightly undershot jaw, and forked tail; outfights both cousins. Pollock, next to Atlantic cod: greenish, faint line, pointed snout. Atlantic cod, next to pollock: barbel and square tail.
Which gets bigger, Atlantic cod or pollock?
Atlantic Cod. The heaviest state record we hold is 98 lb 12 oz in New Hampshire; the heaviest pollock record is 48 lb 2 oz in Massachusetts.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic cod or pollock?
Atlantic Cod: The classic whitefish. Pollock: Good — darker than cod, great smoked.
Do Atlantic cod and pollock have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 6 state rulebooks. Maine: Atlantic cod 23" min, 1 per day, pollock No size limit (state waters), No bag limit (state waters); Massachusetts: Atlantic cod 23 in total length, 1 per day, pollock 19 in total length, No bag limit; New Hampshire: Atlantic cod 23 in TL min, 1 fish/day, pollock No size limit in state waters, No bag limit; New Jersey: Atlantic cod 23 in min, 5, pollock 19 in min, No bag limit; New York: Atlantic cod 23", 5, pollock 19", No bag limit; and more in the table on this page.