Species guide
How to catch Capelin
Mallotus villosus
Capelin is a small, elongated schooling fish found across the northern oceans. It plays a key role in the food web as prey for larger fish, birds, and marine mammals. Though not a game fish, it is important ecologically and often found near the ocean surface or deeper waters.
Where they live
Capelin inhabit ocean waters in the Atlantic and Pacific, including coastal and offshore zones from shallow to depths around 700 meters. They form large schools in cold northern regions across North America and Asia.
Typical size
Up to about 20 cm
What they eat
- tiny fish
- small crustaceans
- selective plankton
Best baits
- small fish pieces
- shrimp
- plankton-like bait
Best lures
- small shiny spoons
- tiny soft plastics
- small jigs
How to fish for them
- light spinning
- jigging
- casting small lures near schools
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