Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Gadidae
- Genus
- Melanogrammus
- Species
- aeglefinus
Habitat
Haddock primarily inhabit the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, from the Barents Sea to the coasts of North America, favoring continental shelves at depths of 80 to 200 meters over sandy or rocky bottoms. They prefer temperatures between 4-10°C and are often found in large schools near the seafloor. This species avoids shallow coastal areas and thrives in open marine environments with moderate currents.
Diet
Haddock feed mainly on small fish like sand eels and herring, as well as crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, and polychaete worms. They are bottom feeders that use their barbels to locate prey on the seafloor, typically foraging during daylight hours. Feeding activity increases in the morning and evening when prey is more abundant.
Behavior
Haddock are highly schooling fish that form large groups for protection and feeding, often swimming close to the ocean floor. They are diurnal, active during the day for foraging and resting at night, and exhibit seasonal migrations to deeper waters for spawning. These fish are generally non-territorial but can show avoidance behaviors when threatened by predators.
Fishing
Haddock is a prized sport and food fish in the North Atlantic, supporting conservation through angler-funded programs that protect marine habitats and ensure sustainable populations; target them using bottom fishing techniques like drifting with baited hooks or jigging to mimic their seafloor prey, as these methods effectively hook into their schooling behavior. Use medium-heavy rod and reel setups with 20-30 pound test line, sturdy sinkers to reach depths of 80-200 meters, and strong hooks to handle their powerful runs. Opt for bait such as shrimp, worms, or small fish like sand eels, or lures including metal jigs and soft plastics that imitate crustaceans for reliable strikes. The best season runs from late spring through early fall when waters are between 4-10°C, with peak fishing in summer mornings and evenings when haddock are most active foraging on the bottom. Focus on continental shelves in areas like the Gulf of Maine, George's Bank, or Norway's coasts, seeking sandy or rocky bottoms where large schools congregate. The IGFA all-tackle record stands at 19 pounds 3 ounces, caught off Norway in 2000, though typical catches range up to 14 pounds 15 ounces and 1 meter in length. Conservation efforts, including slot limits and catch quotas as effective management tools, help maintain healthy haddock populations, with angler license fees funding habitat restoration and monitoring programs to combat their Vulnerable IUCN status from overfishing.
Conservation Status
Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.