Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
FR Morue-lingue · ES Bacalao ling · PT Lingcod
Also known as: Cultus CodBuffalo CodBlue CodBacalao LargoBacalao lingMorue-lingue
BenthicBoat
GamefishReef
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Depth
20–120m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jan–DecGood Apr–Oct
Depth range
20–120mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Vertical / shore jigging60%
Preferred seabed
Rock
Findr bio
Toothy reef troll – I own the edges of rocks and ledges, smashing jigs and unlucky fish that stray too close to my lair.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterRocky shoreWreck reef
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquidSoft plastics
Diet
HerringSand eelJuvenile fishOctopusShrimp
Effective techniques
JiggingBottom FishingSpinning
Gear
Best times
DawnDayDuskMid flood
Lingcod can show wild colour morphs, including blue-green flesh in some individuals – it turns white when cooked but looks surreal in the ice box.
Field notes
Where to find them
Pacific NW/Alaska rocky structure, reef edges
Where they hang out
Rock piles and reef edges, 10–50 m
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Tide game
Moderate; tide movement improves bite over structure
What they're into
Jigs, cut/live bait fished on bottom
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species, prefers 5–15°C
Fave weather
Calm seas needed to hold position over structure
Fun fact about me
Sometimes my flesh is blue-green (biliverdin) and still delicious—ocean oddity.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits common — check state rulesState fisheries agency (e.g. WDFW, ODFW)
Looking after them
Least Concern
Other regions where you can target Lingcod