How to fish for haddock

Getting started

Your first try for haddock

One recommended starting point: bait near the bottom from a boat. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.

1. Place and time
- Haddock stay over soft bottom, preferably mud.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 52All sources on this page
- Best in Jan–Dec.
2. Tackle
See the tackle under “How to fish”.
3. Rig up: bait rig with a sinker at the bottom
1. 1Main line. Line from the reel.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
2. 2Droppers with bait. Short side leaders with hook and bait above the sinker.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
3. 3Sinker. At the bottom, keeps the bait down near the seabed.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
How to assemble it
- The sinker hangs at the bottom and the hooks with bait on short droppers just above, so the bait lies on or just above the bottom.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
- Attach the sinker with a slightly thinner line. If it gets stuck, only the sinker breaks off, and you save the rest of the rig.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
4. How to do it
- Fish near the bottom, where the haddock live.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 525ExperienceHooked.noMed bom, slep og agn langs bunnenAll sources on this page

Where

Where to find haddock

Haddock like 50–100 metres and mud bottom. Store norske leksikon gives 50–300 metres as its habitat.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 52All sources on this page Highlighted: bottomSourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 52All sources on this page.

How to find it

Haddock stay over soft bottom, preferably mud.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 52All sources on this page

Along the coast

Southern and Eastern NorwayPresent
Østfold to Agder (the Skagerrak coast)SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Western NorwayPresent
Rogaland and Vestland, south of StadSourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Central NorwayPresent
Important spawning grounds off Møre and Trøndelag.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Northern NorwayPresent
Nordland, Troms and FinnmarkSourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page

Technique and tackle

How to fish for haddock

From boat

Bait near the bottom

Fish near the bottom, where the haddock live.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyse3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 525ExperienceHooked.noMed bom, slep og agn langs bunnenAll sources on this page

Bait

Haddock take bait, for example shrimp or pieces of fish.SourcesFishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceHooked.noHvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 525ExperienceHooked.noMed bom, slep og agn langs bunnen6OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvann7ExperienceFiske365Hvordan fiske med agn – naturlig agn fiske fra båt og landAll sources on this page

When

Season and time of day

Month by month

JanJanuary: Possible
FebFebruary: Possible
MarMarch: Possible, spawning
AprApril: Possible, spawning
MayMay: Possible, spawning
JunJune: Possible
JulJuly: Possible
AugAugust: Possible
SepSeptember: Possible
OctOctober: Possible
NovNovember: Possible
DecDecember: Possible

BestGoodPossibleRarely worthwhileSpawningSeason

The assessment covers the coast as a whole. The season can vary locally, and closed seasons may stop the fishing. See the rules further down.

Time of day

The time of day is not documented well enough to give advice.

Haddock spawn in spring. Northeast Arctic haddock spawn from March to June, haddock in the North Sea from March to May.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyseAll sources on this page

Rules

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

Show rules for

Showing rules for the whole coast. Rules that apply to only part of the coast are labelled.Showing rules for Southern and Eastern Norway (Østfold to Agder (the Skagerrak coast)).Showing rules for Western Norway (Rogaland and Vestland, south of Stad).Showing rules for Central Norway (Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag).Showing rules for Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark).

South of StadMinimum size south of 62°N (Stad): 32 cm.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to: South of Stad8AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetMinstemål i fritidsfiskeAll sources on this page
North of StadMinimum size north of 62°N (Stad): 40 cm.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to: North of Stad8AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetMinstemål i fritidsfiskeAll sources on this page
Haddock is not on the Directorate of Fisheries’ overview of protected and partially protected species.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions9AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetFreda og delvis freda artarAll sources on this page
If you catch a fish under the minimum size, wet your hands, release the fish carefully and let it go. If the fish is dead or not viable, you may keep it.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions8AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetMinstemål i fritidsfiskeAll sources on this page
ImportantSouthern and Eastern NorwayIn three no-fishing zones in the Oslofjord (Indre Oslofjord, Færder and Ytre Hvaler), all fishing is prohibited all year round. The ban also applies to fishing for sea trout and salmon, and to fishing while diving.SourcesRule from the authorities · Applies to: Southern and Eastern Norway10AuthorityLovdataForskrift om regulering av fiske i Oslofjorden (FOR-2025-12-19-2889)11AuthorityLovdataForskrift om fiske etter anadrome laksefisk i sjøen (FOR-2021-03-15-797)12AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetOslofjorden: tiltak for fritidsfiskereAll sources on this page Map of the areas from the Directorate of Fisheries ↗
ImportantSouthern and Eastern NorwayFrom 1 January to 30 April inclusive, all fishing is prohibited in spawning grounds for cod from Lindesnes along the Skagerrak coast to the Swedish border. Fishing for salmon and sea trout is exempt. Outside the Oslofjord, underwater spearfishing for species other than cod is permitted, but in the Oslofjord the ban also applies when diving.SourcesRule from the authorities · Applies to: Southern and Eastern Norway9AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetFreda og delvis freda artar10AuthorityLovdataForskrift om regulering av fiske i Oslofjorden (FOR-2025-12-19-2889)12AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetOslofjorden: tiltak for fritidsfiskere13AuthorityLovdataForskrift om forbud mot fiske i gytefelt for torsk (FOR-2019-03-25-321)All sources on this page Map of the areas from the Directorate of Fisheries ↗
Southern and Eastern NorwayIn the Oslofjord, from Telemark to the Swedish border inside the baseline, only hand lines, fishing rods and similar hand-held gear may be used.SourcesRule from the authorities · Applies to: Southern and Eastern Norway10AuthorityLovdataForskrift om regulering av fiske i Oslofjorden (FOR-2025-12-19-2889)12AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetOslofjorden: tiltak for fritidsfiskereAll sources on this page
It is prohibited to fish closer than 100 metres to fish farms.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions14AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle reglarAll sources on this page
It is not permitted to use live fish or other live animals as bait.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions14AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle reglarAll sources on this page
Northern NorwaySeparate local restrictions may apply, for example for the cod fishery in Lofoten.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to: Northern Norway14AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle reglarAll sources on this page

The rules are translated from Norwegian. Only the Norwegian text and the authorities’ own pages (in Norwegian) are authoritative. Check them before your trip.

Checked 29 September 2026 against Fiskeridirektoratet: Minstemål i fritidsfiske, Fiskeridirektoratet: Freda og delvis freda artar, Fiskeridirektoratet: Generelle reglar, Fiskeridirektoratet: Oslofjorden: tiltak for fritidsfiskere, Lovdata: Forskrift om regulering av fiske i Oslofjorden (FOR-2025-12-19-2889) and Lovdata: Forskrift om forbud mot fiske i gytefelt for torsk (FOR-2019-03-25-321).

Not checked: rules in national parks and other protected areas at sea and local rules adopted by the municipality. The regulations may change, so always check the current rules before your trip.

About the fish

Identification and life history

A haddock underwater, seen from the side, with the black spot on the side of the body — Photo: Vsevolod Rudyi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Identification

Has a large black spot on each side, under the first dorsal fin.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
The back is dark to greyish violet, the sides are lighter silver-grey and the belly is white. Overbite, with a barbel and a dark, slightly curved lateral line.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page

Size

Can reach up to 110 cm.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Northeast Arctic haddock grow up to 14 kg. Haddock in the North Sea are smaller, up to about 60 cm and 4 kg.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyseAll sources on this page

Diet

Bottom-dwelling animals. Larger haddock also take herring, capelin and other small fish.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page

Life history

Lives in relatively deep water, 50–300 metres, over soft bottom.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Grows fast and can live up to 20 years.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
Spawns in spring in open water. Eggs and fry drift with the water masses, and when the young haddock is about 10 cm it heads for the bottom.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page
The haddock is managed as two stocks: Northeast Arctic haddock and one stock shared by the North Sea, Skagerrak and west of Scotland.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page

The stock

The haddock is managed as two stock units: Northeast Arctic haddock and one stock shared by the North Sea, Skagerrak and west of Scotland.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetHyse2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonhyseAll sources on this page

Experiences

Tips from people who have fished for haddock

From other anglers

Loading tips …

Experiences from readers. They have been read through, but not checked against sources, and do not count towards the source requirement. You will find rules only in the rules section. Tips are shown in the language they were written in, usually Norwegian.

Share an experience

Have you caught haddock? Tell us what worked for you.

Sources

What this page is based on

The numbers in the text refer to the sources below. Fishing tips must be confirmed by at least three independent sources. Read about our source requirements.

1
ResearchHavforskningsinstituttet
Hyse
Published 18 December 2018 · Read 29 September 2026
2
EncyclopediaStore norske leksikon
hyse
Per Pethon · Read 29 September 2026
3
ExperienceHooked.no
Hvordan fiske hyse – art nummer 3 / 52
Published 13 September 2011 · Read 29 September 2026
4
Experienceasgeiralvestad.no
Slik fisker du torsk, tips og triks
Asgeir Alvestad · Read 29 September 2026
5
ExperienceHooked.no
Med bom, slep og agn langs bunnen
Published 6 August 2016 · Read 29 September 2026
6
OrganisationNorges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund
Slik får du fisk i saltvann
Read 29 September 2026
7
ExperienceFiske365
Hvordan fiske med agn – naturlig agn fiske fra båt og land
Casper · Published 15 November 2020 · Read 29 September 2026
8
AuthorityFiskeridirektoratet
Minstemål i fritidsfiske
Read 29 September 2026
9
AuthorityFiskeridirektoratet
Freda og delvis freda artar
Read 29 September 2026
10
AuthorityLovdata
Forskrift om regulering av fiske i Oslofjorden (FOR-2025-12-19-2889)
Read 29 September 2026
11
AuthorityLovdata
Forskrift om fiske etter anadrome laksefisk i sjøen (FOR-2021-03-15-797)
Read 29 September 2026
12
AuthorityFiskeridirektoratet
Oslofjorden: tiltak for fritidsfiskere
Read 29 September 2026
13
AuthorityLovdata
Forskrift om forbud mot fiske i gytefelt for torsk (FOR-2019-03-25-321)
Read 29 September 2026
14
AuthorityFiskeridirektoratet
Generelle reglar
Read 29 September 2026

Left out

We looked into these, but did not find good enough documentation. That is why they are not on the page.

Best season. We found no source that says when in the year haddock bite best. The calendar therefore shows only “possible” all year.
Time of day. Only one source, and it says that tide and current matter more than the time of day.
Haddock on hekle, rubber worms and pilk. We found only two independent sources.
That haddock stand in schools up to 30 metres above the bottom, and that they sit loosely on the hook. We found only one source.
Hook size, rod and line. We found no source with figures that suit haddock.
The status of the stock in coastal areas. Store norske leksikon and the Institute of Marine Research give figures for the North Sea and the Barents Sea, not for the coast.
Fishing from shore. We found no source.

Haddock

Your first try for haddock

1. Place and time

2. Tackle

3. Rig up: bait rig with a sinker at the bottom

How to assemble it

4. How to do it

Where to find haddock

How to find it

Along the coast

How to fish for haddock

Bait near the bottom

Bait

Season and time of day

Month by month

Time of day

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

Identification and life history

Identification

Size

Diet

Life history

The stock

Tips from people who have fished for haddock

From other anglers

Share an experience

What this page is based on