White Hake
White hake is a bottom-dwelling groundfish of Canada's Atlantic coast, historically important to commercial fisheries from the Scotian Shelf to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Recreational interest exists, but the species carries serious conservation weight — both the Southern Gulf and Atlantic/Northern Gulf populations are assessed by COSEWIC as Endangered and Threatened, respectively.
Anglers fishing groundfish in Atlantic Canada may encounter white hake as incidental catch.
Scientific Name: Urophycis tenuis
Also known as Mud hake, merluche blanche
- Purplish-brown to golden-brown on the back and sides, fading to a yellowish-white belly speckled with small black spots; dusky blotch on the gill cover.
- Two dorsal fins: the first is tall and triangular with one elongated ray that extends well above the rest; the second is long, low, and rounded, running nearly to the tail.
- Single chin barbel (whisker), like other members of the cod family — a quick ID feature that separates it from similar-looking species.
- Commonly caught in the 50–70 cm range; can reach 133 cm and over 20 kg, though fish that size are rare today given depleted stock levels.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the northwestern Atlantic; in Canada, found along the Scotian Shelf, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (both southern and northern), and in NAFO divisions 4T, 4X, and adjacent areas.
- Adults live on soft, muddy bottoms of the continental shelf and upper slope, typically at depths around 180 m, though juveniles use shallower inshore areas.
- Seasonal movement is well documented: fish move inshore to shallower water in summer and push offshore into deeper water through autumn and winter.
- The southern Gulf of St. Lawrence population has been under a directed commercial fishing moratorium since 1995 and remains in the critical zone of DFO's Precautionary Approach framework.
Key Locations
- Scotian Shelf (NAFO Division 4X) — historically productive, with active directed fisheries still subject to catch caps set by DFO.
- Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T) — directed fishery closed since 1995; white hake here appear only as bycatch in other groundfish fisheries.
- Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence — part of the Atlantic and Northern Gulf population assessed as Threatened by COSEWIC.
- NAFO Division 3Ps (off southern Newfoundland) — an area where fishing interest and landings have increased in recent years, raising conservation concern.
Specific Spots
- Soft, muddy bottom on the continental shelf edge — white hake key in on these substrates the way cod key in on rocky ground; if you're fishing hard bottom, you're probably not on hake.
- Depth transitions between shallower inshore feeding grounds (summer) and deeper offshore wintering areas — fish concentrate along these drop-offs during seasonal migrations.
- In summer, mature fish move into shallower nearshore zones, making them more accessible to smaller boats working the inner Scotian Shelf and Gulf approaches.
White Hake FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Hake?
Squid and cut fish (mackerel, herring) on baited bottom rigs are the traditional and most reliable approach, white hake respond well to scent-based presentations on or just above the seafloor.
When is the best time to fish for White Hake?
Summer, fish move inshore to shallower water, making them more accessible to nearshore boat fishing along the Scotian Shelf and Gulf approaches. Autumn, fish begin dispersing and moving offshore toward deeper wintering grounds; availability from smaller boats decreases.
How do you catch White Hake?
In areas where directed fishing is still permitted (primarily the Scotian Shelf), anglers and commercial harvesters target white hake by bottom fishing with baited rigs from boats over soft, muddy substrate at depth. In the southern Gulf of St.
What do White Hake eat?
White hake feed on small crustaceans (shrimp, small crabs), squid, and small fish, a mix that makes them responsive to jigs, baited hooks, and soft-plastic shrimp or baitfish imitations fished near bottom.
Where do White Hake live?
Native to the northwestern Atlantic; in Canada, found along the Scotian Shelf, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (both southern and northern), and in NAFO divisions 4T, 4X, and adjacent areas.
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