Pollock
Pollock is a cod-family fish that runs through the cold inshore and offshore waters of Atlantic Canada, particularly along the Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine approaches.
It's a legitimate sport target from Nova Scotia piers, rocky headlands, and small boats — fast-moving in schools, willing to hit jigs and lures, and good eating when it comes from clean water.
Scientific Name: Pollachius virens
Also known as Saithe, Boston bluefish, goberge
- Greenish-brown back fading to yellowish-olive on the sides and silver-grey on the belly — darker overall than cod or haddock.
- Three dorsal fins, a slightly forked tail, and a projecting lower jaw with a small chin barbel — the jutting lower jaw is the quickest field ID.
- Pale yellowish lateral line running the length of the body; a useful mark when the fish is in hand.
- Typical catch runs 30–80 cm; larger fish push 7 kg, and the species can exceed 32 kg, though fish that size are rare today.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Northwest Atlantic; in Canadian waters, most abundant on the western Scotian Shelf and in the approaches to the Gulf of Maine.
- A semi-pelagic species — adults roam mid-water and near the bottom in offshore and inshore zones; juveniles push into very shallow nearshore water, including harbours and rocky shorelines.
- Canadian range runs from the Hudson Strait south through Nova Scotia and into the Bay of Fundy; DFO manages two components — Eastern (4VW) and Western (4X/5Y) — within NAFO divisions 4VWX5.
- Also present in BC offshore waters as a commercial trawl target, though the Atlantic fishery is where most Canadian recreational interest lies.
Key Locations
- Western Scotian Shelf — the core of Canadian pollock abundance, both commercially and recreationally.
- Nova Scotia's Atlantic coast and Cape Breton shorelines — accessible from shore and small boats, with pollock common around rocky structure in summer.
- Bay of Fundy — strong tidal currents concentrate baitfish and draw pollock into feeding lanes.
- Gulf of Maine approaches — the western stock component ranges through this area and into Nova Scotia's inshore waters.
Specific Spots
- Rocky points, jetties, and pier pilings in Nova Scotia — pollock school tight to structure when chasing baitfish, and current edges around these features concentrate them.
- Mid-water over drop-offs and ledges; pollock suspend rather than hug the bottom the way cod do, so working a jig at varying depths until you find the school matters.
- Tide rips and current seams in the Bay of Fundy and around Cape Breton — moving water pushes baitfish to the surface and pollock follow.
Pollock FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Pollock?
Metal casting jigs and Norwegian-style pirks are the go-to, they sink fast, imitate sand lance or herring, and work at the depths pollock hold. Vary the retrieve speed until the fish respond.
When is the best time to fish for Pollock?
Summer and early fall, juveniles and smaller pollock move inshore along Nova Scotia's coast, making them accessible from shore and in harbours. Late fall and early winter, adults move offshore to spawn; inshore fishing slows as water cools and fish push deeper.
How do you catch Pollock?
Most recreational pollock fishing in Canada happens from Nova Scotia piers, rocky headlands, and small boats using casting jigs or metal lures worked through the water column.
What do Pollock eat?
Smaller pollock feed heavily on small crustaceans and shrimp; larger fish shift almost entirely to baitfish, herring, sand lance, capelin, and young mackerel. Metal jigs and slim minnow-style lures imitate these baitfish directly.
Where do Pollock live?
Native to the Northwest Atlantic; in Canadian waters, most abundant on the western Scotian Shelf and in the approaches to the Gulf of Maine.
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