| Pacific Hake (Pacific Whiting) | |
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Family: |
Merlucciidae* (Hakes) |
Genus and Species: |
Merluccius productus * Gadidae (American Fisheries Society) |
Description: |
The body of the Pacific hake is elongate, slender, and moderately compressed. The head is elongate and the mouth large. The color is gray to dusky brown, with brassy overtones and black speckles on the back. The elongated shape, notched second dorsal and anal fin, and the coloration separate Pacific hake from other fish in this group. |
Range: |
The Pacific hake occurs in the Gulf of California (isolated population) and from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to Alaska and along the Asiatic coast. It is found to depths exceeding 2,900 feet. |
Natural History: |
The diet of this species includes small fishes, shrimp and squid. Pacific hake spawn in the winter, beginning at 3-4 years of age, off southern California and Baja California, Mexico. After spawning the adults migrate northward to Oregon, Washington and Canada and return to their spawning areas in the fall. |
Fishing Information: |
Pacific hake are most commonly caught incidentally by anglers seeking salmon or bottomfish. Pacific hake support one of the larger commercial fisheries off the Pacific Coast. Considered a nuisance by many anglers, they are generally discarded if caught. If kept chilled immediately after capture, Pacific hake have good food qualities. However, the flesh becomes soft and undesirable if not cared for properly. Pacific hake may be caught with salmon or groundfish baits such as squid, herring or anchovy. |
Other Common Names: |
Pacific whiting, whitefish, haddock, butterfish, California hake, popeye, silver hake, ocean whitefish |
Largest Recorded: |
3 feet; no weight recorded. |
Habitat: |
Deep Sandy Environment |
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