Pollachius virens , also known as Saithe, Coalfish, Coley, Green cod, Boston bluefish. U.S. wild-caught Atlantic pollock is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 06/26/2026). Ocean City charter and Maryland
record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and
bag limits before you fish—rules change.
Maryland’s Atlantic recreational seasons/sizes/creel summary does not publish a dedicated line for Atlantic Pollock. Verify COMAR, DNR public notices, and federal rules for your exact waters before you keep fish.
Rule
Maryland / applicable detail
Maryland minimum size
Not listed — no dedicated Atlantic Pollock line on the MD Atlantic recreational table
Maryland daily creel (bag)
Not listed — no MD species-specific bag for Atlantic Pollock
Maryland open season
Not listed on the MD Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays summary table
Verify
Check DNR eRegulations, COMAR, and NOAA for your date and coordinates before you keep fish.
Atlantic pollock are brownish-green on the back and slightly pale on the belly. They have a small chin barbel, like the whiskers on a catfish. They are a member of the cod family but can be distinguished by their greenish hue and darker flesh. Biology Atlantic pollock grow fast at first until they sexually mature between the ages of 3 and 6. They grow to more than 3 ½ feet long and 35 pounds and can live a long time, up to 23 years. Atlantic pollock spawn from November through February over hard, stony, or rocky ocean bottoms in areas throughout the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. They spawn multiple times per season. Pollock eggs rise into the water column after they are released and fertilized. Smaller pollock in inshore waters feed on small crustaceans and small fish. Larger pollock mainly prey on fish. A variety of fish eat juvenile pollock. Spiny dogfish, monkfish, and other pollock prey on adults. Where They Live Range Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds. Adults live offshore near the ocean floor over a wide variety of ocean bottom habitats including sand, mud, rocks, and vegetation. Atlantic pollock swim in schools and are believed to travel extensively between the Scotian Shelf and Georges Bank and, to a lesser extent, between the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels. Time/Area Closures to protect spawning fish and habitat. Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish. Annual catch limits, based on best available science. An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish. Harvest Commercial fishery:
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational fishery: Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round. Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Gadidae Genus Pollachius Species virens Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Appearance
Atlantic pollock grow fast at first until they sexually mature between the ages of 3 and 6. They grow to more than 3 ½ feet long and 35 pounds and can live a long time, up to 23 years. Atlantic pollock spawn from November through February over hard, stony, or rocky ocean bottoms in areas throughout the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. They spawn multiple times per season. Pollock eggs rise into the water column after they are released and fertilized. Smaller pollock in inshore waters feed on small crustaceans and small fish. Larger pollock mainly prey on fish. A variety of fish eat juvenile pollock. Spiny dogfish, monkfish, and other pollock prey on adults. Where They Live Range Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds. Adults live offshore near the ocean floor over a wide variety of ocean bottom habitats including sand, mud, rocks, and vegetation. Atlantic pollock swim in schools and are believed to travel extensively between the Scotian Shelf and Georges Bank and, to a lesser extent, between the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels. Time/Area Closures to protect spawning fish and habitat. Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish. Annual catch limits, based on best available science. An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish. Harvest Commercial fishery:
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational fishery: Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round. Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Gadidae Genus Pollachius Species virens Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Biology
Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds. Adults live offshore near the ocean floor over a wide variety of ocean bottom habitats including sand, mud, rocks, and vegetation. Atlantic pollock swim in schools and are believed to travel extensively between the Scotian Shelf and Georges Bank and, to a lesser extent, between the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels. Time/Area Closures to protect spawning fish and habitat. Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish. Annual catch limits, based on best available science. An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish. Harvest Commercial fishery:
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational fishery: Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round. Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Gadidae Genus Pollachius Species virens Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Where they live
Range
Atlantic pollock are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and are most common on the western Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Pollock eggs and larvae are found in the water column. Juveniles are found inshore and move offshore as they grow older. When in inshore waters, juvenile pollock school in the open water at low tide, then scatter at high tide and hide in intertidal seaweed beds. Adults live offshore near the ocean floor over a wide variety of ocean bottom habitats including sand, mud, rocks, and vegetation. Atlantic pollock swim in schools and are believed to travel extensively between the Scotian Shelf and Georges Bank and, to a lesser extent, between the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels. Time/Area Closures to protect spawning fish and habitat. Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish. Annual catch limits, based on best available science. An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish. Harvest Commercial fishery:
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Habitat
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Pollock, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels. Time/Area Closures to protect spawning fish and habitat. Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish. Annual catch limits, based on best available science. An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish. Harvest Commercial fishery:
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational fishery: Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round. Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Gadidae Genus Pollachius Species virens Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context
From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Atlantic Pollock profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.
Always verify current Maryland and federal size, season, and bag rules for your exact date and coordinates before you keep any catch.
Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Atlantic Pollock.
What charter to book from Ocean City
Atlantic Pollock may appear on Ocean City trips depending on season and habitat—use the NOAA biology below and book the charter archetype that matches how you will actually fish.
Possible / related
Bay guide — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Inshore charter — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic pollock totaled approximately 6 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
Pollock are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest pollock have little to no impact on habitat. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures to designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational fishery: Pollock is growing in popularity with anglers that have traditionally targeted other groundfish like cod and haddock. Anglers target pollock from boats and shore using both lures and bait. Successful anglers find that the fish puts up a spirited fight. Fishing occurs year-round. Regulations are limited to a minimum fish size in federal waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Gadidae Genus Pollachius Species virens Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Harvest
See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.
Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Atlantic Pollock is actually fished—see the
NOAA species profile
.
Seafood facts
Fact
Detail
Sustainability
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic pollock is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Availability
Year-round. Peak landings are from November through January.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to Virginia.
Taste
Sweet and delicate.
Texture
Firm.
Color
White.
Health
Atlantic pollock is very low in saturated fat and is a very good source of protein, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
After a real OC boat day or market stop for Atlantic Pollock, Seafood after boat days covers
dock buffer and cook-your-catch pacing.
