HADDOCK
Common name: Haddock
Description: Haddock are dark gray with silver sides and a white belly. They have a black lateral line and no spots. A highly visible black spot, referred to as "the devil's thumbprint," is located just behind their head. With haddock, the first dorsal fin is visibly pointed. A small chin barbel can be found on their lower jaw and they have a slightly forked tail.
Where found: offshore
Similar species: pollock, cod
Remarks: Haddock are bottom feeders that that can be found in water depths ranging from 100 to 500 feet. Haddock avoid rocky bottoms and prefer a bottom of clay, mud, smooth hard sand or fragmented shells. Haddock are known to bite as freely as cod and when hooked are considerably more active. The fishing tackle and baits used for cod also work for haddock. Haddock is a great tasting fish, making it a a favorite of fishermen.