Species profile
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
At a glance
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (New York); the most generous is 15 (New Hampshire).
Across 5 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 17.5 in (≈ 1 ft 5 in).
Confirmed by 41 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maine, Massachusetts, and New Brunswick the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- A distinctive black 'thumbprint' mark above each pectoral fin makes it unmistakable.
- It lives at depths of 40 to 300 meters on sandy or gravelly seafloor.
- Can grow up to 37 inches long and live up to 14 years.
- Smoked haddock, called 'finnan haddie,' has been a Scottish culinary staple for centuries.
- Though closely related to cod, haddock has a distinctly narrower body and smaller mouth.
Where Haddock are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Haddock
Background
The haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a saltwater fish found in the North Atlantic Ocean and associated seas.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Haddock article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.