Monkfish
Monkfish are a commercial groundfish caught in Canadian Atlantic waters as bycatch by trawl and fixed-gear fleets working the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Fundy.
There's no directed recreational fishery for them in Canada — these fish end up on deck when targeting other groundfish, and they're worth knowing because the tail meat is dense, mild, and highly valued at market.
Scientific Name: Lophius americanus
Also known as Goosefish, American anglerfish, All-mouth, Baudroie d'Amérique
- Dark olive-brown on top with blackish edges on the pectoral and tail fins; pinkish to dirty white on the underside — unmistakable on deck.
- Enormous, dorsally-flattened head with a cavernous upward-facing mouth and projecting lower jaw; the body tapers sharply to a small tail.
- A modified dorsal spine acts as a built-in lure — a fleshy, leaf-shaped flap on a movable stalk sits just above the mouth.
- Grow to over a metre and can exceed 20 kg; most fish encountered in Canadian waters run considerably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the western Atlantic; in Canada found on the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Fundy.
- Occasionally recorded as far north as the Labrador Shelf, but the southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NO) hold the densest concentrations.
- Bottom-dwellers that settle on sandy or gravelly seafloor from just below the tide line down to roughly 700 metres, though most are taken shallower than 100 metres.
Key Locations
- Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NO) — highest documented concentrations; egg veils observed here annually in summer.
- Scotian Shelf — regularly encountered as bycatch in the commercial groundfish trawl fishery.
- Gulf of St. Lawrence — present across the gulf bottom, particularly on sandy and gravelly grounds.
- Bay of Fundy — part of the Canadian range; taken incidentally by fixed-gear fleets working the bay.
Specific Spots
- Sandy and gravelly bottom — monkfish lie flat and motionless, blending into substrate while dangling their lure; hard or rocky bottom holds far fewer fish.
- Depth transitions between shallow shelf and deeper water concentrate fish seasonally, particularly on the southern Grand Banks.
- Flat, open bottom away from heavy structure is where trawl gear encounters them most consistently as bycatch.
Monkfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Monkfish?
In commercial fixed-gear operations, whole or cut fish baits on large hooks fished hard on the bottom account for most hook-and-line catches, bait needs to be at the fish's level, not suspended above it.
When is the best time to fish for Monkfish?
Present year-round on Canadian Atlantic shelf grounds; commercial bycatch occurs whenever groundfish fleets are active. Egg veils observed at the surface in NAFO Divisions 3NO from June to July, indicating peak spawning activity during those months.
How do you catch Monkfish?
Monkfish in Canada are caught almost exclusively as bycatch by commercial vessels trawling or setting fixed gear for groundfish on the Atlantic shelf. There is no known directed recreational fishery. Harvesters encounter them while working sandy and gravelly bottom in the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, and Gulf of St.
What do Monkfish eat?
Eat fish, groundfish, smaller flatfish, and whatever swims within range of that lure, by lying still and drawing prey in rather than chasing it. The lure mimics a small invertebrate or injured baitfish. Also take squid and crustaceans.
Where do Monkfish live?
Native to the western Atlantic; in Canada found on the Grand Banks, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Bay of Fundy. Occasionally recorded as far north as the Labrador Shelf, but the southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NO) hold the densest concentrations.
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