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Species · Lookalikes

Atlantic WolffishorOcean Pout

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus), side view, on a white background
Atlantic WolffishAnarhichas lupus
Illustration of an Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus), side view, on a white background
Ocean PoutZoarces americanusDrawing: NOAA Fisheries

Rules for both fish from 5 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Atlantic Wolffish

Gray-blue with dark vertical bars and a mouthful of canine tusks built for crushing shellfish.

Atlantic wolffish, next to ocean pout: canine tusks and bold bars.

Ocean Pout

Eel-shaped body with a frog face and fleshy lips; single long dorsal running to the tail.

Ocean pout, next to Atlantic wolffish: fleshy lips, no tusks, no bars.

Side by side

Atlantic WolffishOcean Pout
Scientific nameAnarhichas lupusZoarces americanus
Also calledOcean catfish—
WatersOffshoreInshore
Heaviest state record55 lb 8 oz · Massachusetts (2000)—
On the tablePossession prohibited — release.Not kept — release.
Rules of its own in5 states5 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 4 of 5 states with a rule for either. In Connecticut, Atlantic wolffish is —, No harvest or possession and ocean pout is —, No retention. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

StateAtlantic Wolffish: size · bag · seasonOcean Pout: size · bag · season
Connecticut—No harvest or possessionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked
MainePossession prohibitedNo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backME DMR 2026 · checked —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked
Massachusetts—No harvest or possessionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked
New HampshirePossession prohibitedPossession prohibitedClosed year-roundPut it backNH F&G 2026 · checked Possession prohibitedPossession prohibitedClosed year-roundPut it backNH F&G 2026 · checked
Rhode Island—No harvest or possessionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked —No retentionProhibitedPut it backFederal rule (New England federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic wolffish or ocean pout, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

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Questions anglers ask

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: Eel-shaped body with a frog face and fleshy lips; single long dorsal running to the tail. Ocean pout, next to Atlantic wolffish: fleshy lips, no tusks, no bars. Atlantic wolffish, next to ocean pout: canine tusks and bold bars.

Which is better to eat, Atlantic wolffish or ocean pout?

Atlantic Wolffish: Possession prohibited — release. Ocean Pout: Not kept — release.

Do Atlantic wolffish and ocean pout have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 4 state rulebooks. Connecticut: Atlantic wolffish —, No harvest or possession, ocean pout —, No retention; Maine: Atlantic wolffish Possession prohibited, No harvest or possession, ocean pout —, No retention; Massachusetts: Atlantic wolffish —, No harvest or possession, ocean pout —, No retention; Rhode Island: Atlantic wolffish —, No harvest or possession, ocean pout —, No retention.