Species guide · Maine

Atlantic cod fishing in Maine

Gadus morhua, a bottom species also called cod, codfish and scrod. Listed for the New England region. Peak season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Casco Bay at 75, one of 3 Maine bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak season

Where it's scoring now All Maine waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

New England

Peak season, about 6 more weeks

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Off season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Peak season
Jun: Peak season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Peak season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Shoulder season
Dec: Off season

Peak: May to Jun, Sep to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.

Research notes, New England region

Western Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank are the core; party and charter boats fish Jeffreys Ledge, Stellwagen Bank and offshore Maine ledges, with spring and fall the most productive. Retention is tight: in fishing year 2026 Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod are 1 fish at 23 inches from September 1 to October 31 only, and Southern New England cod are no-retention. Outside that window cod are mostly released while fishing for haddock and pollock.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 3

Maine bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic cod score this hour.

75Great

Casco Bay

Best window today 8-9 PM (75) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (80) · 715 named spots

75Great

Penobscot Bay

Best window today 8-9 PM (75) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (79) · 514 named spots

74Great

Intra Coastal Waters from Schoodic Point, ME to Stonington, ME

Best window today 8-9 PM (74) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (80) · 825 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 34°F to 58°F, best between 38°F and 50°F.
Water depth: 60 to 400 ft of water.
Structure: Ledge, bank, pinnacle, reef, wreck and shoal, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers moving water, with light current.Boats drift ledges and banks, and heavy current or wind against tide makes it hard to keep jigs on the bottom in 150 to 300 feet. Neap tides and the hours near slack are easier to fish.
Light: Little tied to dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Cod hold near coarse, rocky bottom on ledges, banks and wrecks, commonly from 80 to 300 feet in the Gulf of Maine. Drift over the structure with a diamond or cod jig and a teaser fly above it, keeping the jig within a few feet of bottom, or fish clams on a high-low rig. Check the stock area and season before keeping one, because most of the year cod must be released.

Methods: jigging, bait fishing, drift fishing
Lures: diamond jigs, Norwegian cod jigs, teaser flies, large soft plastic shads
Bait: sea clams, skimmer clams, herring, squid

Regulations

Maine DMR saltwater regulations Buy a Maine fishing license License types

Maine Department of Marine Resources. Synced with Maine DMR Sep 16, 2026.

No reviewed atlantic cod rule for Maine is on file yet. Check with Maine DMR before you keep one.