What’s wrong with out-of-season fish? (Plus: When are fish in season in Maine?) - Pine Tree Seafood

What’s wrong with out-of-season fish? (Plus: When are fish in season in Maine?)

What’s wrong with out-of-season fish? (Plus: When are fish in season in Maine?)

When the seasons change here in Maine, we add or lose clothing layers, turn on the furnace or open up the windows and doors, or make other changes to get more comfortable. Fish don’t have these luxuries, so they migrate to different waters depending on the season.

Based on a variety of factors — including water temperature, moon phase, currents, and water depth — fish will move their location. Every species is different, so it’s good to know which type of fish is best for each season to get the freshest catch possible.

One of the first questions you may be asking is this: what’s wrong with buying fish out of season if it’s available at the store? 

Out-of-season fish isn’t as fresh.

If you’re buying out-of-season fish, one major issue is: it’s just not as fresh.

Since fishermen in the U.S. need to follow fishing regulations, they can only catch certain species during specific seasons. Between that and availability due to migration, that means off-season fish in the U.S. is being shipped in from other parts of the world. 

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but it does make for less fresh options. Fish shipped from around the world is going to take several days to reach your local grocery store and it’s not going to last as long or taste as fresh.

Out-of-season fish is more expensive.

To make up for the cost of shipping for out-of-season fish, not only will it be less fresh, it will also be more expensive.

Whether you’re looking for a particular catch or not paying attention to what’s in-season, you’re sure to pay more for out-of-season fish.

Fresh seafood selection at Pine Tree Seafood, Scarborough, Maine
Fresh seafood selection at Pine Tree Seafood in Scarborough, Maine

When are fish in peak season in Maine?

So what’s the best fish for each season? Below you’ll find the best fish for each month in Maine.

The following data is from CEI Maine’s Seafood Study.

January/February

  • Cod
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Smelt

March

  • Cod
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Squid
  • Smelt

April

  • Alewife
  • Blueback Herring
  • Cod
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Squid
  • Smelt

May

  • Alewife
  • Blueback Herring
  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Halibut
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Shad
  • Skate
  • Smelt

June

  • Alewife
  • Blueback Herring
  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Shad
  • Shark
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Striped bass (recreational)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna

July

  • Black Sea Bass (recreational)
  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Haddock
  • Hake
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Shad
  • Shark
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Striped bass (recreational)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna

August

  • Black Sea Bass (recreational)
  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Haddock
  • Hake
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Mussels
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Shark
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Striped bass (recreational)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna

September

  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Haddock
  • Hake
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Shark
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Striped bass (recreational)
  • Tuna

October 

  • Cod
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Haddock
  • Hake
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Tuna
Fresh bluefin tuna from Pine Tree Seafood
Fresh bluefin tuna from Pine Tree Seafood

November

  • Cod
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, winter
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Smelt

December

  • Cod
  • Flounder, plaice
  • Flounder, witch
  • Flounder, yellowtail
  • Hake
  • Haddock
  • Halibut
  • Herring
  • Monkfish
  • Pollock
  • Redfish
  • Salmon (farm raised)
  • Skate
  • Smelt

—

In-season fish is always going to make a fresher, less expensive option for you and your family. Stick to this guide to determine which fish is the best catch for each month!
Ready to enjoy a fresh catch? Order today or come into our Scarborough, Maine location to purchase fresh Maine fish.

SCARBOROUGH’S LOCAL, FRESH SEAFOOD AND PRODUCE MARKET SERVING SOUTHERN MAINE AND AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE ORDERING

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