Cusk
Brosme brosme
How to tell it
Eel-tailed cod relative — one long dorsal and anal fin running into the rounded tail; leathery brown skin.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called cusk, and what gives each one away.
- Ocean pout: Frog face and fleshy lips. Tell them apart
- Red hake: Separate dorsal fins, ribbon ray. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA GARFO 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 33.42 lb | 2002 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 34 lb 4 oz | 1990 · Stellwagen Bank | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 31 lb | 1996 · Gulf of Maine, Hampton | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Firm and sweet — an underrated chowder fish.
In the app
Point the camera at a cusk 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 cusk
How do you tell cusk from ocean pout?
Cusk: Eel-tailed cod relative — one long dorsal and anal fin running into the rounded tail; leathery brown skin. Ocean pout: frog face and fleshy lips.
What is the record cusk?
34 lb 4 oz in Massachusetts (1990), Stellwagen Bank. Other states’ records are in the table.