Lingcod

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Ophiodon elongatus
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Offshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:	36-54°F (2-12°C)
Technique:	Bottom Fishing, Jigging
Lure Type:	Bottom Rig, Jigs
World Record:	37.45 kg (82 lb 9 oz) Gulf of Alaska, Homer, Alaska, USA
Other Names:	Cultus cod, lingcod, ling cod, ling-cod, blue cod, green cod, buffalo cod, white cod

Ophiodon elongatus is native to the west coast of North America, from the Shumagin Islands in the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Highest densities are found off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.

They are found on the bottom, with most individuals occupying rocky areas at depths of 10 to 100 m (32 to 328 feet). Starting in October, lingcod migrate to nearshore spawning grounds. The males migrate first, and establish nest sites in strong current areas in rock crevices or on ledges. Spawning takes place between December and March, and females leave the nest site immediately after depositing eggs. Males actively defend the nest from predators until the eggs hatch in early March through late April.

Lingcod are voracious predators, feeding on nearly anything they can fit in their mouths, including invertebrates and many species of fish, such as herring, Clupea harengus, salmon and Pacific hake, Merluccius productus. One of their favorite foods are smaller octopuses, and they will also readily devour large rockfish.

The lingcod is a popular eating fish, and is thus prized by anglers. Though not closely related to either ling or cod, the name "lingcod" originated because it somewhat resembles those fish. The lingcod's flesh is sometimes blue-green prior to cooking.

Latest Lingcod Fishing Reports and Spots

October 11 - 11/11/2023 7:59:11 PM

Out to the deep for lings and things today. Got our bait then tried for lingcod but they weren’t biting. Ran up the coast for rockcod and did o (View)

October 28 - 10/28/2023 7:58:48 PM

Ran out for lingcod today and made bait but the mackerel were thick! Turns out the lings already had their meal for the day so we headed up the (View)

October 29 - 10/30/2023 11:58:50 AM

Out to the deep again for lingcod and rockcod. Water wasn’t very nice so it was a bumpy day. Got to the lingcod grounds and the mackerel have t (View)

October 22 - 10/23/2023 6:58:49 AM

Out to the deep lingcod part of Jurassic Park today. After making bait we drop in our lines and picked away at the lings. Water and wind were u (View)

October 13 - 10/13/2023 6:58:48 PM

Out to the deep again and we got into the fish right away. Variety of rockfish and a 17 pound lingcod. The post October 13 appeared first on Mo (View)

October 12 - 10/12/2023 4:58:43 PM

Lingcod gear testing in the deep today. The lingcod were big too with an average of 15 pounds and the biggest went 18 pounds. The post October (View)

Wed 20 Sep 2023 22:32:27 +0000 - 9/20/2023 6:32:27 PM

Stopped on our ride up this morning and made several drifts for plenty of assorted rockfish and lingcod! Once we finished fishing we continued r (View)

Tillamook Bay Fishing Charter (Experienced Salmon Guide) - 9/11/2023 11:35:08 PM

Tillamook Bay and the nearby Pacific Ocean offer a variety of fishing including bottom fish such as lingcod halibut perch and sea bass. But Til (View)

S F Fishing report 8/28/23 - 8/28/2023 2:47:50 PM

Hey Fishermen. Flash 1 went outside and did excellent! They returned to the harbor early with limits of rockfish lingcod and a few halibut. Fla (View)

August 27 - 8/27/2023 7:28:49 PM

The weather report indicated poor weather offshore so we stayed closer to Santa Cruz for a local rockcod trip. Nailed six limits of blues olive (View)