Pollack Identification Guide
Spot a pollack by its bronze-green back, curved lateral line, protruding lower jaw, and barbel-less chin.
Read the full Pollack encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Greenish-brown to bronze back fading to silvery-white sides and belly
- Distinctly curved (bent) lateral line, more pronounced than in related gadoids
- Prominent underbite, with the lower jaw projecting noticeably beyond the upper jaw
- No chin barbel
- Three dorsal fins and two anal fins, with a forked tail
- Streamlined, moderately deep body; adults commonly 20-30 inches
- Fine, tightly attached scales giving the flanks a smooth, faintly iridescent sheen
Common look-alikes
- Coalfish (saithe): has a small chin barbel, a straighter lateral line, and a duskier, less bronze coloration
- Atlantic cod: carries an obvious chin barbel, a straighter lateral line, and a more mottled, spotted body
- Whiting: smaller, more silvery overall, with a straight lateral line and no protruding jaw
Where you'll see one
Pollack range throughout the northeastern Atlantic, from rocky reefs and wrecks in shallow inshore water to open water over deeper offshore structure. They often form loose schools around kelp forests, pier pilings, and rocky pinnacles, feeding actively in midwater rather than hugging the bottom like most other gadoids.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell pollack from coalfish (saithe) since both lack strong markings?
Check the chin and lateral line - pollack has no barbel and a strongly curved lateral line, while coalfish has a small barbel and a straighter lateral line.
What jaw feature helps confirm a pollack over a cod?
Pollack's lower jaw juts out past the upper jaw giving an underbite look, while cod's jaws are more even and it also has a fleshy chin barbel pollack lacks.