It’s hard to find a fish as engrained in local history as the state fish of Massachusetts. For over 200 years, Atlantic Cod has served as the backbone of the Bay State’s fishery, providing food as well as a valuable trade commodity. If you’ve ever wondered about that fish hanging in the State House – this is it.
But there’s a lot more to Cod than old symbols and history. Cod happens to be one of the most popular catches in Massachusetts, attracting anglers from all over the nation to its waters. We’ll get to catching the state fish of Massachusetts in a minute. First, let’s see what makes this fish so special.
The Fish That Made New England
Ask anyone that’s ever tried it, Cod is one of the tastiest fish in the ocean. With its mild flavor and flaky texture, this guy is a staple food far beyond the US. Heck, even the Vikings used to rely on it for their long voyages.
But when we say that Cod is a living part of Massachusetts’ history, we mean it. In fact, fishing for Cod was the first industry Europeans developed when they settled these parts. According to some accounts, the very first shipment from the colony was a cargo of fish.
Fast forward a couple of centuries, and Cod fishing in the Bay State was still running strong. A little too strong, you might say. Cod was so popular among commercial and recreational fishermen that its population nearly collapsed. The species hit a low point during the 90s, and has been slowly recovering ever since.
Recognizing Atlantic Cod
Codfish are typically grey-green or red-brown, with dark spots fading to the sides. Their otherwise understated appearance is only broken up by their distinctive lower lip whisker.
You’ll find these bottom feeders both inshore and offshore, but there’s a big difference between the two. Inshore Cod tend to average 27-34 inches in length and weigh between 6 and 12 pounds. Offshore Cod are a lot larger, reaching 42 inches and 25 pounds!
Sounds impressive, right? It is, but the largest Cod ever caught in Massachusetts was way bigger than that.
Landed in 1987, the Massachusetts state record Cod was a 92 lb monster! The record was set at Jeffreys Ledge, an offshore fishing hotspot that’s something of a legend among local anglers.
Finding Cod in Massachusetts
Cod is a big deal in Massachusetts, so it makes sense that you can find it almost anywhere in the state. However, if you want to get your hands on the freshest Cod possible and do it in an environmentally-friendly way, we say go out and catch your own!
And if you’ve never fished for Cod before, don’t worry. From Gloucester to the Cape, there are plenty of fishing guides that will show you how to do it.
Going out on a boat isn’t always possible, we know. If you’re buying Cod at a store, we always recommend you trying to make the most sustainable seafood choice.
Living Up to Its Name
As any Bay State angler will tell you, Massachusetts has no shortage of hard-fighting gamefish. Between Mako Sharks and Striped Bass, local fishers have their work cut out for them. Thing is, they don’t call this place “The Mako State.” Massachusetts is the Codfish State, and now you know why.
So there you have it. What’s your favorite thing about the state fish of Massachusetts? Have you ever fished for Cod before? Let us know in the comments below!
