Species
Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus · family Hexagrammidae
Live · updated
A toothy, aggressive ambush predator of Pacific rocky reefs and kelp — hammers jigs and live bait fished near the bottom. Often caught while rockfishing; big “lings” are a prize from jetties and nearshore reefs.
Preferred conditions
- Water temp
- 45–58°F (ideal 52°F)
- Tide
- either
- Moon
- either
- Depth
- 20–300 ft
- Active months
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Best lingcod conditions today
Yachats State Recreation Area
Gold Beach (South Beach Park)
Homer / Kachemak Bay
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
First Beach (La Push)
Puget Sound (Seattle)
Nehalem Bay State Park
Pacific City Beach (Cape Kiwanda)
Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Ocean Shores
Westport Light State Park
Twin Harbors State Park
Pacific Beach State Park
Oceanside Beach
Doheny State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach
Zuma Beach
Redondo Beach
Sitka
Imperial Beach
Newport Beach
Seal Beach
Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)
Avila Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Cayucos State Beach
Pacific Beach
San Clemente State Beach
Ocean Beach (San Diego)
San Onofre State Beach
Pismo Beach
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
CA
Stale: last verified 103 days ago.
pacific
- Min size
- 22"
- Creel
- 2
22" total length minimum, 2/person/day. Season tracks the groundfish complex (typically Apr 1–Dec 31 for boats; shore open year-round).
Source · verified 2026-05-29
OR
Stale: last verified 103 days ago.
pacific
- Min size
- 22"
- Creel
- 3
22" minimum, 3/day.
Source · verified 2026-05-29
WA
Stale: last verified 103 days ago.
pacific
- Creel
- 2
No minimum size, 2/day. Coastal season mid-Mar–mid-Oct.
Source · verified 2026-05-29
AK
Stale: last verified 98 days ago.
pacific
- Creel
- no daily limit
Southeast: lingcod carry season and annual/size limits (nonresidents commonly 1–2/year within a size slot, open ~mid-May–Nov). Confirm the current area rule.
Source · verified 2026-06-03