Pollachius pollachiusSourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
Pollack resembles saithe, but has an underbite and a dark lateral line that curves downwards.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Southern and Eastern Norway: present.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Western Norway: present.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Central Norway: present.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Northern Norway: rare. Rare north of Helgeland.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Found in
Open water and bottom
Best season
Apr–Oct
Methods
Pilk and rubber worms from a boat, Jigs and herring lures, Trolling
Rules checked
29 September 2026
Getting started
Your first try for pollack
One recommended starting point: jigs and herring lures from shore or from a boat. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.
2Leader. 1–2 metres of monofilament or fluorocarbon between the main line and the lure. It withstands abrasion against rock and is less visible.SourcesTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvann7ExperienceHooked.noTorskefiske fra land i vinterhalvåretAll sources on this page
SurfaceOpen waterBottom0 m10 m20 m30 m40 m50 m60 m
Big pollack are rarely fished deeper than 50–60 metres, and not shallower than two metres. The Institute of Marine Research and Store norske leksikon give 40–100 metres as the usual depth. In winter pollack can stay down towards 200 metres.SourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyr3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for lyr (tips og triks for å lykkes)4ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertips: Bli en lyrendreierAll sources on this page Highlighted: open water and bottomSourcesFishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyr3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for lyr (tips og triks for å lykkes)4ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertips: Bli en lyrendreierAll sources on this page.
Østfold to Agder (the Skagerrak coast)SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Western NorwayPresent
Rogaland and Vestland, south of StadSourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Central NorwayPresent
Møre og Romsdal and TrøndelagSourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Northern NorwayRare
Rare north of Helgeland.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Up to 400 g with 8–10/0 rubber worms when the pollack are deep and the current is strong. Considerably lighter pilks and smaller rubber worms when they are shallower or close to land.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for lyr (tips og triks for å lykkes)All sources on this page
→In deep water black, dark green and brown are good colours, and in shallow water light green, fluorescent red and blue.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for lyr (tips og triks for å lykkes)All sources on this page
→Green and blue are considered good herring colours on lures for saithe and pollack.SourceTackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceSølvkrokenSlik fisker du sei og lyrAll sources on this page
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.
→Pollack spawn in March–April. The eggs are spawned in open water.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll 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).
→The Directorate of Fisheries states that there is no minimum size for pollack.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions12AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetMinstemål i fritidsfiskeAll sources on this page
→Pollack is not on the Directorate of Fisheries’ overview of protected and partially protected species.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions13AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetFreda og delvis freda artarAll sources on this page
→It is prohibited to fish closer than 100 metres to fish farms.SourceRule from the authorities · Applies to all regions18AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle 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 regions18AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle 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 Norway18AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetGenerelle 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.
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.
→Underbite, and a dark lateral line that curves downwards.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
→The back and sides have yellowish markings. The lateral line is curved, and the lower jaw protrudes more than in saithe.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Size
→Usually grows to 80 cm and rarely exceeds 1 metre. Can reach 130 cm.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
→Can reach up to 130 cm and 10 kg.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
→Becomes sexually mature at about 40 cm.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Diet
→Fish, especially pelagic fish such as herring and sand eel. Also takes crustaceans such as krill and shrimp.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
Life history
→Pollack most often stay at 40–100 metres depth.SourcesFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyr2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
→Pollack are regarded as benthopelagic, which means they live both in open water and near the bottom.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
→The lifespan is given as 13 years.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
The stock
→Knowledge about the state of the pollack stock is inadequate. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) therefore concludes that harvesting must be cautious.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonlyrAll sources on this page
→The Norwegian pollack fishery is not quota-regulated. Pollack is mainly caught as bycatch in commercial gillnet and trawl fisheries.SourceFact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetLyrAll sources on this page
Experiences
Tips from people who have fished for pollack
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 pollack? 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.
