Red HakeorAtlantic Cod
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Red Hake
Soft-rayed codling with a ribbon-thin first-dorsal ray, a chin barbel, and slim reddish-brown body.
Atlantic Cod
Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail.
Atlantic cod, next to red hake: square tail, heavier body, pale lateral line.
Side by side
| Red Hake | Atlantic Cod | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Urophycis chuss | Gadus morhua |
| Also called | Ling, Squirrel hake | Codfish |
| Waters | Inshore | Offshore |
| Heaviest state record | 12 lb 13 oz · New Jersey (2010) | 98 lb 12 oz · New Hampshire (1969) |
| On the table | Soft but tasty fresh — a chowder fish. | The classic whitefish. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 7 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 8 of 8 states with a rule for either. In Maine, red hake is No size limit, No bag limit and Atlantic cod is 23" min, 1 per day. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Red Hake: size · bag · season | Atlantic Cod: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | Per federal regulationsPer federal regulationsPer federal regulationsOpenCT DEEP 2026 · likely · checked |
| Maine | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked | 23" min1 per daySep 1 - Oct 31OpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23 in total length1 per daySept 1 – Oct 31 (2026)OpenFederal rule (Gulf of Maine federal waters)NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked |
| New Hampshire | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23 in TL min1 fish/dayOpen Sep 1 - Oct 31 (closed Nov 1 - Aug 31)OpenNH F&G 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23 in min5Jan 1 - May 31 and Sep 1 - Dec 31OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23"5Sept 1 - May 31OpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · likely · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Rhode Island | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | N/ANo harvest or possessionClosed year-roundPut it backRI DEM 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, red hake or Atlantic cod, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell red hake from Atlantic cod?
Red Hake: Soft-rayed codling with a ribbon-thin first-dorsal ray, a chin barbel, and slim reddish-brown body. Atlantic Cod: Blotchy brown-green with a PALE lateral line arching over the pectorals, a chin barbel, and a square tail. Atlantic cod, next to red hake: square tail, heavier body, pale lateral line.
Which gets bigger, red hake or Atlantic cod?
Atlantic Cod. The heaviest state record we hold is 98 lb 12 oz in New Hampshire; the heaviest red hake record is 12 lb 13 oz in New Jersey.
Which is better to eat, red hake or Atlantic cod?
Red Hake: Soft but tasty fresh — a chowder fish. Atlantic Cod: The classic whitefish.
Do red hake and Atlantic cod have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 8 state rulebooks. Maine: red hake No size limit, No bag limit, Atlantic cod 23" min, 1 per day; Connecticut: red hake no rule of its own, Atlantic cod Per federal regulations, Per federal regulations; Massachusetts: red hake no rule of its own, Atlantic cod 23 in total length, 1 per day; New Hampshire: red hake no rule of its own, Atlantic cod 23 in TL min, 1 fish/day; New Jersey: red hake no rule of its own, Atlantic cod 23 in min, 5; and more in the table on this page.