Pacific Cod Identification Guide
Recognize this North Pacific groundfish by its large head, heavy mottling, and prominent chin barbel.
Read the full Pacific Cod encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Stocky, elongated body nearly identical in shape to Atlantic cod
- Large head relative to body size
- Prominent chin barbel, often as long as the eye diameter
- Three dorsal fins and two anal fins
- Mottled brown to grey coloring with dark blotches, generally darker and more patterned than Atlantic cod
- Pale lateral line running along the flank
- Squared-off tail fin similar in shape to that of Atlantic cod
Common look-alikes
- Atlantic Cod: essentially a geographic counterpart separated by ocean basin, with Pacific cod tending to show heavier mottling and a proportionally larger head
- Walleye/Alaska Pollock: lacks a prominent barbel and has a more pointed, slightly upturned lower jaw
- Pacific Hake: has a slimmer body, no barbel, and a single continuous second dorsal fin rather than three separate dorsal fins
Where you'll see one
Cold continental shelf and slope waters of the North Pacific, from the Bering Sea to California, usually near the seafloor over sand or mud, occasionally moving into shallower bays.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell Pacific cod from Alaska pollock?
Pacific cod has a prominent chin barbel and heavier body mottling, while Alaska pollock has little to no barbel and a sleeker, less mottled body.
What distinguishes Pacific cod from Atlantic cod?
They're separated mainly by range - Pacific versus Atlantic basins - though Pacific cod also tends to show a proportionally larger head and heavier mottled patterning.
Pacific Cod identified by the community
Recent Pacific Cod catches identified with Fish Identifier.
