Pollock
Pollachius virens
Also called Boston bluefish.
How to tell it
Olive-green cod cousin with a straight pale lateral line, slightly undershot jaw, and forked tail; outfights both cousins.
- Not a atlantic cod? That one barbel and square tail. (Atlantic Cod)
- Not a haddock? That one black line and thumbprint. (Haddock)
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 | No size limit (state waters) | No bag limit (state waters) | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (Gulf of Maine federal waters) | 19 in total length | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA GARFO 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | No size limit in state waters | No bag limit | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 19 in min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 19" | No bag limit | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 19" 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 34 lb 2 oz | 2000 · Block Island Sound | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 46 lb 10.9 oz | 1990 · Perkins Cove, Ogunquit | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 48 lb 2 oz | 1992 · Cashes Ledge | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 47 lb | 1981 · Atlantic Ocean, Portsmouth | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 46 lb 7 oz | 1975 · Off Brielle | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 45 lb 15 oz | 1988 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Rhode Island | 28 lb 8 oz | 1995 | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 23 lb 8 oz | 1998 · Off Chincoteague | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Good — darker than cod, great smoked.
In the app
Point the camera at a pollock 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 pollock
What is the size limit for pollock?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: Per federal regulations; Massachusetts: 19 in total length; New Jersey: 19 in min; New York: 19"; Rhode Island: 19" min.
How many pollock can you keep?
Connecticut: Per federal regulations.
How do you tell pollock from atlantic cod?
Pollock has this: Olive-green cod cousin with a straight pale lateral line, slightly undershot jaw, and forked tail; outfights both cousins.. Atlantic Cod barbel and square tail.
What is the record pollock?
48 lb 2 oz in Massachusetts (1992), Cashes Ledge. Other states’ records are in the table.