Silver Hake (Atlantic Whiting)
Merluccius bilinearis
FR Merlu argenté · ES Merluza plateada · PT Pescada-prateada
Also known as: HakeMerluza plateadaMerlu argentéPescada-prateada
BenthicBoat
Deepwater
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; night or low light for quality fish
Depth
50–500m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Mar–NovGood Jan–Jun
Depth range
50–500mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Night-shift micro-hunter—midwater over cold mud and gentle banks.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterOpen seaWreck reef
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquidPrawns
Diet
HerringSmall fishSquidKrillMackerel
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingSabiki / Bait CatchingJigging
Gear
Best times
DawnDuskNightMid flood
Night stalker that rises off bottom—humble fish with a big fishery.
Field notes
Where to find them
NW Atlantic bank edges and muddy slopes
Where they hang out
Bank edges and slopes, moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; night or low light for quality fish
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Small fish/squid strips fished just off bottom
Temperature vibe
Prefers 6–12°C
Fave weather
Calm seas aid light-rig presentations
Fun fact about me
Night stalker that rises off bottom—humble fish with a big fishery.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Check regional groundfish rulesNOAA Fisheries / state fisheries agency
Looking after them
Least Concern