Atlantic Wolffish
Atlantic wolffish are deep-water bottom-dwellers found in rocky ground around the British Isles and North Sea. They turn up as bycatch for anglers targeting cod and other demersal species.
Rarely targeted deliberately from UK shores or boats, but a memorable catch — their prehistoric appearance draws a crowd on any deck. Known in northern England fish-and-chip shops as 'woof' or 'Scarborough woof.'
Scientific Name: Anarhichas lupus
Also known as Seacat, Seawolf, Atlantic catfish, Devil fish, Woof, Scarborough woof, Scotch halibut, Cats
- Long, eel-like body with a single dorsal fin running almost the full length of the back; blueish-grey to brownish-grey overall with 10–15 dark vertical bars along the flanks.
- Large, rounded head with a prominent mouth carrying four to six fang-like front teeth and crushing molar-like teeth further back — unmistakable in hand.
- Most UK fish run 3–10 lb; larger specimens exceed 20 lb, and the species can reach 1.5 m in length.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the North Atlantic; in UK waters found around the British Isles, the North Sea, and northward into Norwegian and Icelandic waters.
- Historically present around much of the British coastline, but numbers are now badly depleted, particularly in the southern North Sea, due to trawling damage to rocky seabed habitat.
- Prefers rocky, broken ground with crevices and ledges at depths of roughly 30–500 m; occasionally found over sand or mud.
Key Locations
- Northern North Sea and Scottish offshore marks — deeper rough-ground marks off northern Scotland give the best remaining chance of an encounter.
- Scarborough and the Yorkshire coast — historically associated with the species closely enough that 'Scarborough woof' became a local name for it in fish-and-chip shops.
- Waters around the northern and western British Isles, where cold, deep, rocky ground still provides suitable habitat.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef ground and broken seabed — wolffish wedge themselves into crevices and rarely stray far, so fishing directly over hard structure is essential.
- Deeper water marks of 50 m or more give the best chance; they favour cold, low-light conditions close to the bottom.
- When targeting demersal species like cod over rough ground in northern UK waters, a bait presented hard on the deck near rock edges is where wolffish are most likely to intercept it.
Atlantic Wolffish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Wolffish?
Crab (whole or halved), squid, and large worm baits (lugworm, ragworm) fished hard on the bottom over rocky ground are the most consistent producers, matching the crustacean and shellfish diet.
When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Wolffish?
Available year-round in UK waters, as wolffish are resident bottom-dwellers that do not undertake significant seasonal migrations. Autumn (September–October) coincides with spawning activity; fish may be slightly less catchable during this period as they focus on reproduction rather than feeding.
How do you catch Atlantic Wolffish?
Wolffish are almost never deliberately targeted by UK anglers; they come as bycatch when boat fishing over deep, rough ground for cod and other demersal species. Fishing a crab or squid bait hard on the bottom over rocky reef in northern UK waters gives the best incidental chance of one.
What do Atlantic Wolffish eat?
Feeds almost entirely on hard-shelled bottom-dwellers, crabs, lobsters, sea urchins, starfish, prawns, and shellfish, which their crushing teeth are built for. Baits that mimic this forage, such as whole or half crab, squid, and large ragworm or lugworm presented on the seabed, are the most reliable attractors.
Where do Atlantic Wolffish live?
Native to the North Atlantic; in UK waters found around the British Isles, the North Sea, and northward into Norwegian and Icelandic waters.
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