How Long Does Fish Last?
Storage method
* freezer times are best-quality windows
Fish — hot smoked, air pack — refrigerator, from date of purchase
14 to 45 days in the refrigerator
- Refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C)
- Applies from date of purchase · hot smoked, air pack
Pick a valid date to calculate the recommended use-by window.
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) · About this data · Report an issue
FoodStorageCheck — official USDA FoodKeeper guidance · foodstoragecheck.com
All official guidance for fish
Every storage entry the USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists for this food, exactly as published (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24). “No official duration listed” means the source does not provide a number for that combination — not that the food lasts forever.
Fish — hot smoked, air pack
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 14 to 45 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
Fish — hot smoked, vacuum pack
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 14 to 45 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 6 to 12 months (best quality) |
Fish — cold smoked, air pack
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 14 to 30 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
Fish — cold smoked, vacuum pack
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 21 to 30 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
Fish — breaded
| Where | Condition | Official time | Notes from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | general guideline | Not recommended | Not recommended to refrigerate after cooking due to decreased quality. |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 18 months (best quality) | Keep frozen. For safety, cook as directed. |
Fish — raw but headed and gutted
| Where | Condition | Official time | Notes from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | general guideline | 3 to 4 days | Recommendation is for storage after cooking. |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) | Keep frozen. For safety, cook as directed. |
Common questions about fish
- How long does fish last in the refrigerator?
- 14 to 45 days in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).
- Can you freeze fish?
- Yes. 9 to 12 months in the freezer, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. This is a best-quality window — food kept constantly frozen at 0 °F (−18 °C) stays safe indefinitely.
Two reminders that apply here
Keep the fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or below.Refrigerator times in this dataset assume a refrigerator held at or below 40 °F. An appliance thermometer is the reliable way to check.
The two-hour rule.Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C) should be discarded, per FoodSafety.gov. Storage windows assume food was refrigerated promptly.