Norwegian record Whiting: 3.12 kg

About Whiting

The whiting (Merlangius merlangus) is a cod-family fish named for its white flesh. It lives in the eastern North Atlantic from Gibraltar to Iceland and the southern Barents Sea, and is common in the North Sea. It occurs along the whole Norwegian coast but is most plentiful south of Stad. Whiting keep close to the bottom at roughly 10 to 200 metres. The back is greenish to dark, the flanks silvery grey and the belly white, and a dark mark where the pectoral fin joins the body is a handy clue; adults usually lack a chin barbel. Most fish are 25 to 40 cm, with a maximum of around 70 cm. It is an active predator on sandeels, Norway pout, herring and young cod and haddock. Spawning runs from winter into summer, and juveniles often shelter among jellyfish tentacles. Anglers take it on small jigs and bait over sandy ground. Norwegian Red List: Least Concern.

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Havforskningsinstituttet, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Januar

See the species guide

Biggest Whiting in FishComp

1.75 kg (56 % of the record) by Dag Rune Kvittem. See the catch

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.