The aim of the study was to establish the optimum conditions for recovering non-collagen proteins from the backbones of cods by solvent extraction. The proteins were extracted in three different ways: twice in 24 h with 5% sodium chloride or 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution, or firstly using 5% sodium chloride solution over 24 h, and then 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution in 24 h. Different ratios of backbone to solution were tested, 1 : 2; 1 : 4; 1 : 6; 1 : 8; 1 : 10; 1 : 12. All procedures were performed at 4°C. 0.1 M solution of sodium hydroxide was more effective in extracting protein than 5% solution of sodium chloride. A 100% yield of non-collagen protein was recovered from fresh backbone by double 24 h extraction with sodium hydroxide solution, while this was 70%with sodium chloride solution. About 80% of the protein was soluble when extraction was conducted in the first stage with sodium chloride solution and then with sodium hydroxide solution. After 5 months of storing the backbone at -18°C, protein recovery decreased by about 40% for sodium chloride solution and about 20% for sodium hydroxide solution, and about 30% for mixed extraction. The extraction yield had no influence on the ratio of extracted material to solution. Collagen losses during extraction did not exceed 0,4%.