Fish

Pacific cod

Bacalao del Pacífico

Gadus macrocephalus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–15 lb.

Depth

50–900 ft.

Best time

Daytime; slack tides are easiest.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Classic cod shape: brown-gray to olive body covered with small dark spots, a pale lateral line, three dorsal fins, two anal fins and a single barbel on the chin.
Typical size: 5–15 lb.
Maximum size: About 4 ft and around 50 lb.
Diet: Fish, crabs, shrimp and squid.
Behavior: Schools near the bottom over gravel, sand and rocky banks; a common catch while halibut fishing.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Alaska, British Columbia and Oregon & Washington. Continental shelf waters from Washington and British Columbia to the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutians and the Bering Sea; also across the North Pacific to Asia.
Habitat: Continental shelf waters from Washington and British Columbia to the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutians and the Bering Sea; also across the North Pacific to Asia.
Depth: 50–900 ft.
Fishing depth: 100–400 ft on the bottom.
Best season: Summer charters in Alaska; spring and fall in British Columbia.
Best time: Daytime; slack tides are easiest.
Best tides: Fish around slack tide — strong Alaskan currents make it hard to hold bottom.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Jigs Shrimp fly Gloves

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Continental shelf waters from Washington and British Columbia to the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutians and the Bering Sea; also across the North Pacific to Asia.
Rig up: Medium-heavy jigging rod with a conventional reel. 60–80 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Herring, octopus and squid. Lures: Heavy diamond jigs, leadhead jigs and shrimp flies.
Fish it: Jig heavy metal or bait on the bottom over gravel banks and humps; reel up a few turns after each bite.
Time it: Daytime; slack tides are easiest. Fish around slack tide — strong Alaskan currents make it hard to hold bottom.

Fishing techniques: Jig heavy metal or bait on the bottom over gravel banks and humps; reel up a few turns after each bite.
BigJoe's tip: A small jig above your halibut bait often catches a cod at the same time.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Mild, flaky white meat — the classic fish for fish and chips.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Cold, rough Alaskan seas — wear a life jacket and dress in layers.
Regulations: Alaska and Canada set limits by area; Puget Sound cod stocks are low and closed in many areas. Rules are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (a tidal waters sport fishing licence in British Columbia), and the Washington, Oregon and California wildlife agencies with NOAA Fisheries. Groundfish seasons, depth limits and closed areas change often — check before you go.
Conservation: Gulf of Alaska stocks crashed after a marine heat wave in 2014–2016 and have been slow to recover.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits