* Geographic Range: They range from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands in the north, down the west coast of North America to southern California. They are also found in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
* Depth: They are a demersal fish, meaning they live on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. They are found in depths from the intertidal zone down to over 2,000 meters.
* Specific Habitats:
* Continental Shelf: They are most common on the continental shelf, where the ocean floor slopes gently.
* Subtidal Zone: They are found in areas where the water is always submerged.
* Seabed with a mix of sand, gravel, and mud: Pacific cod prefer areas with a diverse bottom structure.
* Areas with currents: These currents bring them food and oxygen.
Factors affecting their distribution:
* Water temperature: They prefer colder waters, typically between 0 and 15 degrees Celsius (32 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
* Salinity: They tolerate a wide range of salinity levels.
* Food availability: Their distribution is heavily influenced by the presence of their prey, such as squid, herring, and other smaller fish.
While Pacific cod are found throughout their vast range, their abundance and population density can vary greatly depending on these factors.