Calanus finmarchicus is an important, extensively studied zooplankton species in the North Atlantic. Many studies have explored its abundance and life cycle, but basin-wide relationships between its vertical distribution and environment during the feeding season remain poorly known. We conducted a meta-analysis of stage-specific vertical distribution and its relationships with environmental variables (temperature, salinity, irradiance, chlorophyll-<i>a</i>) in the epipelagic layer (0-200 m) of the North Atlantic during spring and summer (21 March to 21 September). Fitting a GAM model, we analyzed data from 47 years (1971-2018) with the aim to discern common, stage-specific responses to environment across the area. Highest abundances were observed in the upper 50 m in spring (at 5°C) and summer (at 7.5°C). The timing of the phytoplankton bloom emerged as a key driver determining vertical distribution, with all stages found shallower during the seasonal surface Chl.-<i>a</i> maximum. Contrary to reports of mismatch with global warming, the data indicated a region-wide match of spring bloom and <i>Calanus</i>. In the coldest areas of its habitat (&lt; 1°C), the copepods stayed closer to surface, potentially to fulfill development, while in warmest areas (&gt;10°C), early stages stayed deeper likely to avoid warm surface waters.