Species profile
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
Identify Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) is an IUCN Data Deficient bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 20 per angler across the 2 regulating jurisdictions.
Confirmed by 983 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, British Columbia, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Typically 4–6 inches long, they form massive schools numbering in the millions along the Pacific Coast.
- A vital forage fish, they are eaten by Pacific salmon, tuna, whales, and seabirds.
- They filter-feed by swimming open-mouthed, straining plankton directly from the water.
- Northern anchovies can live up to 4 years and spawn multiple times per year.
Where Northern Anchovy are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Northern Anchovy
Background
The California anchovy or northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) is a species of anchovy found in the Pacific Ocean, ranging from Mexico to British Columbia.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Anchovy article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Anchovy?
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) is an IUCN Data Deficient bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Northern Anchovy?
Northern Anchovy is Engraulis mordax.
Is Northern Anchovy regulated for fishing?
Yes — Northern Anchovy has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Northern Anchovy?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Northern Anchovy along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.