Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
How to tell it
BLACK lateral line and the 'devil's thumbprint' smudge above the pectoral; tall pointed first dorsal.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called haddock, and what gives each one away.
- Atlantic cod: Pale lateral line, no thumbprint. Tell them apart
- Pollock: No thumbprint, undershot jaw. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Per federal regulations | Per federal regulations | Per federal regulationsCT DEEP 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Maine | 17" min | 15 per day | Open year-round except Mar 1-31 (no possession)ME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 17 in min (Gulf of Maine) · 18 in south of Cape Cod | 15 per day (Gulf of Maine) · no limit south of Cape Cod | Depends on where · Gulf of Maine: closed MarchMA DMF 2026 (322 CMR 6.03) · checked | Check |
| New Hampshire | 17 in min | 15 per day | Open year-round except Mar 1 – Mar 31NH F&G 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 18 in min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 18" | No bag limit | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 18" min | No bag limit | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, 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 | 15.61 lb | 2004 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 20 lb | 1974 · Boston Lightship (tie with Stellwagen Bank, 1972) | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 10 lb 10.75 oz | 1988 · Gulf of Maine, Rye | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
How anglers catch it
Clams on a hi-lo rig over gravel and mud bottom; a teaser above a jig picks up the rest.
On the table
Excellent — sweeter than cod.
In the app
Point the camera at a haddock 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 haddock
What is the size limit for haddock?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: Per federal regulations; Maine: 17" min; Massachusetts: 17 in min (Gulf of Maine) · 18 in south of Cape Cod; New Hampshire: 17 in min; New Jersey: 18 in min; New York: 18"; Rhode Island: 18" min.
How many haddock can you keep?
Connecticut: Per federal regulations; Maine: 15 per day; New Hampshire: 15 per day.
When is haddock season?
Maine: Open year-round except Mar 1-31 (no possession); New Hampshire: Open year-round except Mar 1 – Mar 31.
How do you tell haddock from Atlantic cod?
Haddock: BLACK lateral line and the 'devil's thumbprint' smudge above the pectoral; tall pointed first dorsal. Atlantic cod: pale lateral line, no thumbprint.
How do you catch haddock?
Clams on a hi-lo rig over gravel and mud bottom; a teaser above a jig picks up the rest. Methods: bottom, jigging. Baits: clam, squid. Lures: metal jig, soft plastic.
What is the record haddock?
20 lb in Massachusetts (1974), Boston Lightship (tie with Stellwagen Bank, 1972). Other states’ records are in the table.