Haddock Fishing

A small-mouthed demersal fish that schools over sand and mud. It shares ground with cod but prefers the softer bottom.

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Photo: Steven G. Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
AprMayJunJulAugSepOct
Nov
Dec

Active periodSpawning period — release what you catch

Season
April–October
Water temperature
2–11 °C
Spawning
March–May
Behaviour
Daytime bottom forager

Techniques

  • Bottom rig

Where and When

  • All year at 40-150 m over sand-mud transitions and flat plateaus.
  • Spawning is in spring, when they gather deeper.

Method

  • Two-hook bottom rig with herring or mackerel strip, or shrimp.
  • The mouth is small, so 2/0-4/0 hooks are enough; oversized hooks miss bites.
  • Add one or two feathered hooks above a light 100-200 g pilk.
  • The bite is gentle: let the rod load, then lift slowly.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch haddock?
The productive window for haddock runs April–October. March–May is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
What water temperature does haddock feed in?
Haddock is most active between 2 and 11 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for haddock?
Common methods: Bottom rig.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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