The Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a groundfish of the coastal North Pacific that supports the second-largest commercial groundfish catch off Alaska. The 2024 harvest was about 375 million pounds, worth $106 million.[1]
| Scientific name | Gadus macrocephalus |
|---|---|
| Maximum length | Up to 6 ft |
| Lifespan | 20 years or less |
| Spawning | January to May |
| Female maturity | Age 4 or 5 |
| 2024 Alaska harvest | About 375 million lb; $106 million |
Biology
Pacific cod grow up to six feet long and live 20 years or less. They eat clams, worms, crabs, shrimp and juvenile fish. Large juveniles and adults live near the ocean floor, preferring mud, sand and clay, wintering at 300 to more than 800 feet along the continental shelf edge and upper slope and moving to waters of 300 feet or less in summer.[1]
Range and spawning
The species ranges across the coastal North Pacific from the Bering Sea to Southern California in the east and the Sea of Japan in the west. Spawning takes place from January to May at the shelf edge and upper slope in 330 to 820 feet of water, females reach reproductive age at four or five years and 1.6 to 1.9 feet long, and a female can produce more than a million eggs per spawning.[1]
Alaska fishery
NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the fishery. Gear includes longline, bottom trawl, pots and jig gear, with pots dominating in the Gulf of Alaska, trawl in the Aleutian Islands and longline in the Bering Sea. Fishermen need limited-entry permits and must retain all Pacific cod they catch, and 10.7 percent of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands allowable catch goes to the community development quota programme.[1]
Stock status
NOAA reports that the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska stocks are not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Recreational fishing is minor and mostly occurs in state waters within three miles of shore.[1]
FAQs
How big do Pacific cod get? Up to six feet long.
When do they spawn? January to May.
Is the Alaska stock overfished? NOAA reports it is not.
Sources
Key facts
- Worth $106 million in 2024
- Spawns January to May
Quick checkHow much Pacific cod did Alaska harvest in 2024?Show answer
About 375 million pounds
Sources
- NOAA Fisheries. Pacific cod. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue