Species

Atlantic cod

An important predator of the North Sea and Baltic Sea with a chin barbel; in German it is called Dorsch in the Baltic and usually Kabeljau in the North Sea.

Gadus morhua

Photo: Wilhelm Thomas Fiege, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: Eastern Baltic (Bornholm Basin) April to May, North Sea December to May (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: not threatened
Typical method: Pirk fishing from a charter boat or small boat
Top bait: Pirk

Plan a day fishing for Atlantic cod

How to recognise it

Three dorsal fins and two anal fins
Strong barbel on the lower jaw, protruding upper jaw
Pale lateral line that curves above the pectoral fin

Easily confused with: Looks like other members of the cod family such as the pollack; look for the strong chin barbel and the pale, curved lateral line.

How to catch it

Methods: Pirk fishing from a charter boat or small boat, Surf casting, Natural bait fishing from a boat

Baits: Pirk, Soft plastic shad on a jig head, Lugworm, Ragworm

In the cooler season from autumn to spring, during the day from a boat, in the surf more in the evening and at night.

Habitat and food

Near the seabed, from the coast down to great depths, usually 150 to 200 m, young fish more in shallow water. Also in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea.

Crustaceans, worms, mussels and small fish; large cod mainly hunt herring and other fish.

Size and age

Reaches 1 to 1.5 m; heaviest documented cod according to Wikipedia 47 kg at 1.5 m (Norway, 2013). FishBase gives a maximum of 200 cm and 96 kg and a maximum age of 25 years.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (marine fish 2025): not threatened. IUCN: vulnerable (Vulnerable, assessment from 1996). In the Baltic Sea, recreational fishing for cod is banned all year in 2026 (VO (EU) 2025/2454); release any bycatch immediately and gently.

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state (and by each country abroad) and can be stricter on individual waters. We are building an overview with sources and check dates. Until then, check the local fishing regulations and the rules of the club or permit for your water.

In the kitchen

Lean, firm, white flesh with large bones that are easy to remove; versatile for pan-frying, steaming or baking.

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-10. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

Know more?

Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.

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