Atlantic Wolffish
Anarhichas lupus
Also called Ocean catfish.
How to tell it
Gray-blue with dark vertical bars and a mouthful of canine tusks built for crushing shellfish.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called Atlantic wolffish, and what gives it away.
- Ocean pout: Fleshy lips, no tusks, no bars. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConnecticutFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No harvest or possession | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Maine | Possession prohibited | No harvest or possession | Closed year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No harvest or possession | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| New Hampshire | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | Closed year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (New England federal waters) | — | No harvest or possession | ProhibitedNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Put it back |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 30 lb | 1990 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 55 lb 8 oz | 2000 · Cape Cod Bay | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
A bycatch on cod grounds; protected in US waters and must be released.
On the table
Possession prohibited — release.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic wolffish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about Atlantic wolffish
Where is Atlantic wolffish harvest prohibited?
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. Release it there.
How do you tell Atlantic wolffish from ocean pout?
Atlantic Wolffish: Gray-blue with dark vertical bars and a mouthful of canine tusks built for crushing shellfish. Ocean pout: fleshy lips, no tusks, no bars.
How do you catch Atlantic wolffish?
A bycatch on cod grounds; protected in US waters and must be released. Methods: bottom. Baits: clam, cut bait. Lures: metal jig.
What is the record Atlantic wolffish?
55 lb 8 oz in Massachusetts (2000), Cape Cod Bay. Other states’ records are in the table.