Urophycis tenuis , also known as Mud hake, Boston hake. White hake, also known as mud hake, are a species of groundfish that live in the deeper northwestern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. They are often compared to Atlantic cod and haddoc
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.
Illustration/photo: NOAA Fisheries — White Hake (Urophycis tenuis).
Quick facts
Length: Up to 53 inches
Lifespan: Up to 10 years
Region: New England/Mid-Atlantic
Category: Fish · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland likelihood: 2★ out of 5
About the species
White hake, also known as mud hake, are a species of groundfish that live in the deeper northwestern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. They are often compared to Atlantic cod and haddock in their physical appearance and taste.
Maryland record catch
Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for White Hake on the current sport-fish record board.
Maryland’s Atlantic recreational seasons/sizes/creel summary does not publish a dedicated line for White Hake. 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 White Hake line on the MD Atlantic recreational table
Maryland daily creel (bag)
Not listed — no MD species-specific bag for White Hake
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.
White hake have a large mouth that extends back below their eyes.
White hake have one anal fin and two dorsal fins.
The first dorsal fin is tall and triangular, and the second is lower, rounded, and extends almost to the fish’s tail.
The third fin ray on the first (triangular) dorsal fin is elongated and extends much higher than the rest of the fin.
White hake are a member of the cod order and have a barbel (whisker) on their chin.
White hake vary in color; most adults range from purplish-brown to golden-brown on their back and sides, and they have a yellowish-white belly speckled with small black spots.
Appearance
White hake can grow up to 53 inches and weigh up to 49 pounds.
White hake eggs are buoyant, and larval and early juvenile fish live higher in the water column than adult fish.
White hake settle to the bottom when they are about 2 months old.
Adult white hake typically prefer deeper water than juveniles.
White hake move inshore to shallower waters in the summer and move offshore to deeper waters during the winter.
Male white hake are usually smaller than females.
Adult white hake primarily prey on other bottom-dwelling organisms, such as squid, crustaceans, and small bony fish.
Where They Live Range White hake are found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to southern New England.
Habitat White hake are groundfish, meaning they live near the ocean bottom.
White hake prefer areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
White hake live in relatively deep waters, typically at least 80 meters below sea level.
Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the white hake fishery.
White hake is managed as a single stock in U.S. waters.
White hake, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is 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 Annual catch limits based on best available science A rebuilding plan to rebuild the stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2031.
An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for white hake 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 white hake totaled 3.6 million pounds and were valued at over $5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: White hake are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest white hake have little to no impact on habitat.
Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonsal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
Recreational fishery: White hake are encountered by recreational fishermen fishing with hook-and-line.
There is no minimum fish size limit for white hake, and the recreational bag limit is unlimited.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Phycidae Genus Urophycis Species tenuis Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Biology
White hake are found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to southern New England.
Habitat White hake are groundfish, meaning they live near the ocean bottom.
White hake prefer areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
White hake live in relatively deep waters, typically at least 80 meters below sea level.
Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the white hake fishery.
White hake is managed as a single stock in U.S. waters.
White hake, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is 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 Annual catch limits based on best available science A rebuilding plan to rebuild the stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2031.
An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for white hake 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 white hake totaled 3.6 million pounds and were valued at over $5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: White hake are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest white hake have little to no impact on habitat.
Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonsal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
Recreational fishery: White hake are encountered by recreational fishermen fishing with hook-and-line.
There is no minimum fish size limit for white hake, and the recreational bag limit is unlimited.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Phycidae Genus Urophycis Species tenuis Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Where they live
Range
White hake are found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to southern New England.
Habitat White hake are groundfish, meaning they live near the ocean bottom.
Habitat
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the white hake fishery.
White hake is managed as a single stock in U.S. waters.
White hake, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is 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 Annual catch limits based on best available science A rebuilding plan to rebuild the stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2031.
An optional sector ( catch share ) program can be used for white hake 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 white hake totaled 3.6 million pounds and were valued at over $5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: White hake are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest white hake have little to no impact on habitat.
Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonsal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
Recreational fishery: White hake are encountered by recreational fishermen fishing with hook-and-line.
There is no minimum fish size limit for white hake, and the recreational bag limit is unlimited.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Phycidae Genus Urophycis Species tenuis Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/26/2026
Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context
From Ocean City, Maryland, use this White Hake 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 White Hake.
What charter to book from Ocean City
White Hake 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.
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of white hake totaled 3.6 million pounds and were valued at over $5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: White hake are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest white hake have little to no impact on habitat.
Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonsal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
Recreational fishery: White hake are encountered by recreational fishermen fishing with hook-and-line.
There is no minimum fish size limit for white hake, and the recreational bag limit is unlimited.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Gadiformes Family Phycidae Genus Urophycis Species tenuis 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 White Hake is actually fished—see the
NOAA species profile
.
Seafood facts
Fact
Detail
Sustainability
Although populations are below target levels, U.S. wild-caught white hake is still a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a rebuilding plan that allows limited harvest under U.S. regulations.
Availability
Year-round.
Source
White hake is wild-caught from Maine to southern New England.
Taste
White hake has a mild, almost sweettaste.
Texture
White hake has a soft, delicate texture that does not stand up well to freezing.
Health
White hake is a lean source of protein.
After a real OC boat day or market stop for White Hake, Seafood after boat days covers
dock buffer and cook-your-catch pacing.
