Maine Seafood Guide – Hake

Hake

FMIB 50910 Silver Hake or New England Whiting
Silver Hake or New England Whiting (Merlucius bilinearis) Photo credit: Goode, George Brown (1884) Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States: Section I, Natural History of Useful Aquatic Animals, Plates, Washington, DC: Government Printing Office

Species Description

Red hake Urophycis chuss
Silver hake (whiting) Merluccius bilinearis
White hake Urophycis tenuis

Wild.

All hake are deep-water, East Coast fish that migrate inshore in warmer months. Red and white hake are “true” hakes while silver hake (also called whiting) is part of a different family. Red hake resemble white hake but are smaller, and red hake have an extra- long fin ray on the first dorsal fin. Silver hake or whiting is a long slender fish without a chin barbel or long feeler fin.  

Season

Unlawful to harvest silver hake in Maine waters from December 1 through June 30.

Status

Red hake and silver hake in the Gulf of Maine are not overfished nor is overfishing occurring.

The population of white hake in the Gulf of Maine is rebuilding and overfishing is not occurring.

The population of white hake in the Gulf of Maine is rebuilding and overfishing is not occurring.

Regulatory Authority

New England Fishery Management Council Northeast Multispecies (groundfish) Plan.

Harvest Method

Otter trawl, gillnet, some hook and line. See the vessel and gear guide for more information.

Recreational Harvest

Minimum size: none
Bag limit: none

Health Benefits & Risks

Hake is lower in omega-3 fatty acids than other seafood choices. Hake is low in mercury.

View the 2021 US Food and Drug Administration’s fish consumption guidelines.

Buying & Preparing

Hake is a soft, flaky white fish with a more delicate texture than haddock or pollock. It has a mild flavor and is well-suited to gentle cooking methods.

Look for fresh, local hake, as both red and white hake do not freeze well—they tend to become spongy when thawed. Ask your fishmonger if the fish is freshly landed, especially during peak seasons.

Because of its tenderness, hake is ideal for poaching, steaming, baking, or lightly frying. It’s also excellent in fish stews or simply sautéed with lemon and herbs.

Certifications & Verifications

Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested (silver hake)

Links