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Atlantic Cod

Atlantic Cod

Atlantic cod live in the North Sea, making them one of the few marine species Dutch recreational anglers can target from the coast or offshore.

The North Sea stock has been under heavy pressure for decades — the MSC ecolabel for this fishery was withdrawn due to stock decline — so cod fishing here is a shadow of what it once was, but fish are still caught, particularly from Zeeland beaches and by boat over deeper North Sea ground.

Scientific Name: Gadus morhua

Also known as Kabeljauw

Physical Characteristics:
  • Brown or greenish on the back and sides with pale spots, fading to silver-white on the belly — the mottled pattern is distinctive.
  • Three dorsal fins and two anal fins; a prominent chin barbel (whisker) distinguishes cod from most other North Sea species.
  • A clear lateral line runs the length of the body and is noticeably pale against the darker flanks.
  • North Sea fish typically run 40–70 cm from shore; larger specimens over 80 cm are rare inshore but possible over deeper offshore marks.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to the North Sea; part of the wider Northeast Atlantic population that ranges from the Bay of Biscay north to the Arctic Ocean.
  • Bottom-oriented fish — they hug the seabed from the surf zone down to around 300 m along the continental shelf.
  • In Dutch waters, accessible from the Zeeland coast and the southern North Sea, as well as from offshore charter boats working deeper ground.
  • Prefer cooler, well-oxygenated water; they move into shallower coastal zones during colder months and retreat to deeper water as temperatures rise.

Key Locations

  • Cadzand and the Zwartepolderweg beach (Zeeland) — one of the better-known shore cod marks in the Netherlands, fished on low-water tides.
  • Zeeland coast generally — the tidal beaches and estuary mouths of the Delta region give shore anglers the best realistic chance at cod in Dutch waters.
  • Offshore North Sea grounds — charter boats working deeper water north and west of the Dutch coast target cod over hard bottom and wrecks.

Specific Spots

  • Sandy beach gutters and troughs along the Zeeland coast — Cadzand and the Zwartepolderweg area are known shore marks; fish the low-water tide when the trough is exposed and fish concentrate.
  • Rocky or mixed-bottom ground offshore holds cod better than featureless sand — any reef, wreck, or hard-bottom rise gives them structure to hold near.
  • Estuary mouths and tidal channels where current pushes baitfish and invertebrates concentrate feeding fish.

Atlantic Cod FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Cod?

Lugworm and ragworm on a two-hook bottom rig are the go-to shore baits along the Zeeland coast; squid strip adds toughness and scent in strong tidal flow.

When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Cod?

Autumn and winter (October–February) are the prime shore season, when cold water brings cod into accessible coastal depths along Zeeland. Early spring can also produce fish as cod move inshore to spawn in cold water before retreating offshore as temperatures rise.

How do you catch Atlantic Cod?

Shore anglers focus on the Zeeland beaches, fishing bottom rigs with worm or squid baits during low-water tides in the colder months. Boat anglers work offshore North Sea marks with pirk jigs or bait rigs fished hard on the bottom.

What do Atlantic Cod eat?

Cod eat crabs, shrimp, worms, and small fish, sandeel and sprat are key forage in the North Sea. Bottom rigs baited with lugworm, ragworm, or squid strip directly imitate the invertebrate side of their diet and are the standard Dutch shore approach.

Where do Atlantic Cod live?

Native to the North Sea; part of the wider Northeast Atlantic population that ranges from the Bay of Biscay north to the Arctic Ocean. Bottom-oriented fish, they hug the seabed from the surf zone down to around 300 m along the continental shelf.

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