Red Hake
Urophycis chuss
Also called Ling, Squirrel hake.
How to tell it
Soft-rayed codling with a ribbon-thin first-dorsal ray, a chin barbel, and slim reddish-brown body.
- Not a spotted hake? That one row of dark spots along the lateral line. (Spotted Hake)
- Not a atlantic cod? That one square tail, heavier body, pale lateral line. (Atlantic Cod)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 12 lb 13 oz | 2010 · Off Manasquan | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Soft but tasty fresh — a chowder fish.
In the app
Point the camera at a red hake 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 red hake
How do you tell red hake from spotted hake?
Red Hake has this: Soft-rayed codling with a ribbon-thin first-dorsal ray, a chin barbel, and slim reddish-brown body.. Spotted Hake row of dark spots along the lateral line.
What is the record red hake?
12 lb 13 oz in New Jersey (2010), Off Manasquan. Other states’ records are in the table.