Haddock
Haddock are a bottom-dwelling member of the cod family native to the northwest Atlantic, with Canada's most productive populations running from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Breton and out to the Grand Banks.
They're a genuine table fish — firm, white, mild flesh — and while commercial trawlers take the bulk of the catch, inshore recreational anglers target them from Nova Scotia's coast, particularly May through October.
Scientific Name: Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Also known as Aiglefin
- Dark purplish-grey on the back fading to silvery-grey with a pink tinge on the sides, white belly — a clean, distinctive colour gradient.
- The unmistakable field mark: a large black oval spot (sometimes called the "devil's thumbprint") sitting just above the pectoral fin on each side.
- Three dorsal fins, the first sharply triangular — this separates haddock from Atlantic cod, whose first dorsal is more rounded.
- Most fish run 15–30 inches and 2–7 lbs; the Canadian record-class fish push toward 40 lbs, though anything over 10 lbs is a genuine specimen inshore.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the North Atlantic; in Canada the core range runs from the Strait of Belle Isle south through the Scotian Shelf, Bay of Fundy, and out to the Grand Banks off Newfoundland.
- A bottom-oriented species — most fish are found at depths of 50–250 m (roughly 160–820 ft), though inshore fish move shallower seasonally.
- Prefer hard or gravelly seafloor over soft mud; rocky ledges, gravel banks, and mixed-bottom areas hold the most fish.
- The southern Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy represent the most significant recreational and commercial stocks in Canadian waters.
Key Locations
- Scotian Shelf, Nova Scotia — the heart of Canada's haddock fishery, with both inshore and offshore grounds producing fish.
- Bay of Fundy — a major stock area; inshore boats out of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick work these waters May through October.
- Grand Banks, Newfoundland — historically one of the richest haddock grounds in the northwest Atlantic, primarily an offshore commercial area.
- Cape Breton coastal waters — part of the broader Scotian Shelf range, accessible to inshore recreational boats.
- Digby, Nova Scotia — a working fishing port with a long history of haddock harvest; local family fisheries like the Robicheaus have worked these grounds for generations.
Specific Spots
- Rocky ledges and gravel banks on the seafloor — haddock feed along the bottom and concentrate where structure meets softer substrate edges.
- Depth transitions between 50–130 m are productive inshore; fish move shallower in summer and push deeper as water cools in fall.
- Areas with strong tidal current over hard bottom concentrate the invertebrates haddock feed on — time your drift to work these zones.
- Wrecks and reef structure hold fish year-round, acting as both feeding stations and current breaks at depth.
Haddock FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Haddock?
Clam strips and squid are the go-to natural baits, rig them on a two-hook bottom rig and keep contact with the seafloor. Sea worms also work well when available.
When is the best time to fish for Haddock?
Inshore season runs roughly May through October, when fish move into shallower coastal waters along Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy. Offshore grounds on the Scotian Shelf and Grand Banks hold fish year-round, though these are primarily commercial grounds.
How do you catch Haddock?
Most recreational haddock fishing in Canada happens from boats out of Nova Scotia ports, drifting or anchoring over known bottom structure and fishing natural baits or tipped jigs hard on the seafloor.
What do Haddock eat?
Haddock feed primarily on small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, sea worms, sand dollars, brittle stars, small crabs, and shrimp, rooting along the seafloor. Baits that mimic this: clam strips, squid, and sea worms on a bottom rig are the standard approach.
Where do Haddock live?
Native to the North Atlantic; in Canada the core range runs from the Strait of Belle Isle south through the Scotian Shelf, Bay of Fundy, and out to the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. A bottom-oriented species, most fish are found at depths of 50–250 m (roughly 160–820 ft), though inshore fish move shallower seasonally.
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