Sablefish
Sablefish are a deep-water Pacific species fished commercially and recreationally off British Columbia's coast. Known as black cod or butterfish, they're not true cod but carry some of the richest, most oil-laden flesh of any fish in Canadian waters.
The recreational fishery targets them from boats working canyon edges and continental slope drop-offs, primarily off Vancouver Island.
Scientific Name: Anoplopoma fimbria
Also known as Black cod, butterfish, coalfish, skil, beshow
- Slim, elongated body with small, dark grey to black scales that feel almost velvety — the dark coloring is where the name 'sable' comes from.
- Two widely separated dorsal fins and a slightly forked tail; large mouth with very small teeth — looks superficially like cod but is its own distinct family.
- Most fish caught recreationally run around 10 lbs; they can exceed a metre in length and top 25 kg, and are extraordinarily long-lived — some reach 90+ years.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the North Pacific; in Canada, found along the British Columbia coast from the continental shelf edge down to depths exceeding 1,500 m — abundance is centered in northern BC waters.
- Adults live near the bottom over soft, muddy substrate on the continental slope; juveniles spend several years in shallower nearshore waters before moving offshore.
- Off Vancouver Island, recreational anglers find them at the heads of submarine canyons — ten distinct canyon systems lie 15 to 40 miles offshore — typically in 500 to 600 feet of water before the bottom drops away.
Key Locations
- Vancouver Island offshore canyons — ten canyon systems 15–40 miles off the island's west coast concentrate sablefish at fishable depths for recreational boats.
- Northern BC waters — DFO identifies this as the core of Canadian sablefish abundance, managed as a separate stock from southern BC.
- Kyuquot Sound, northwest Vancouver Island — home to Canada's only commercial sablefish aquaculture operation, reflecting the area's ideal deep, cold, well-flushed conditions.
Specific Spots
- Canyon edges and the gradual slopes at the top of drop-offs in 500–600 ft of water — sablefish hold on these transitional flats before the bottom plunges into deeper water.
- Soft, muddy bottom near structure; the same canyon-edge geometry that concentrates halibut will hold sablefish, and the two species are often caught together.
- Deeper water (800–1,000 ft) produces fish as well, but the shallower canyon heads off Vancouver Island are the practical sweet spot for recreational gear.
Sablefish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Sablefish?
Cut bait is the standard: herring, squid, and octopus are all proven producers, the same baits used for halibut work directly for sablefish on the same grounds.
When is the best time to fish for Sablefish?
The commercial season runs nearly year-round (February 21 through February 20 of the following year), and recreational fishing follows a similar calendar off BC. Spawning occurs in deep water from January through March off BC, fish are present on the grounds year-round but may shift depth with season.
How do you catch Sablefish?
Recreational anglers target sablefish from offshore boats, running 15–40 miles out to canyon edges off Vancouver Island and fishing cut bait on spreader bar rigs in 500–600 ft of water.
What do Sablefish eat?
Adults eat smaller fish, pollock, eulachon, capelin, herring, and sandlance, plus squid and krill. This makes large cut bait (herring, squid, octopus) the go-to for recreational fishing; the same baits used for halibut work well.
Where do Sablefish live?
Native to the North Pacific; in Canada, found along the British Columbia coast from the continental shelf edge down to depths exceeding 1,500 m, abundance is centered in northern BC waters.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Sablefish.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Sablefish water
Pick Sablefish and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Sablefish
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Sablefish are.
Open the map, filter by Sablefish, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.