Top American Angler Fishing Countries

The American Angler, also known as the monkfish (*Lophius americanus*), is a bottom-dwelling fish prized for its firm, mild-tasting flesh, often marketed as "poor man's lobster." This species is primarily found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Newfoundland down to North Carolina. The United States, particularly the Northeast (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey), is the leading harvester of monkfish, with a well-established commercial fishery that began expanding in the late 20th century as demand for monkfish tails and livers grew in both domestic and international markets. Canada also participates in the monkfish fishery, though on a smaller scale compared to the U.S. Strict management measures, including quotas and gear restrictions, are in place to ensure the sustainability of monkfish stocks in these countries, making the American Angler an important species for both the fishing industry and coastal economies of the North Atlantic.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.