Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus
1 of 15worth the trip today
Best right now at Sitka, Alaska. Water is inside the 45–58° range lingcod like at 9 of the 13 spots with a live reading.
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About lingcod
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.
Ophiodon elongatus, family Hexagrammidae.
Lingcod, spot by spot
All 12 spots with lingcod in season, scored for lingcod, best first.
68° water · 10 mph wind
67° water · 6 mph wind · incoming tide
55° water · 23 mph wind · incoming tide
47° water · 5 mph wind · incoming tide
54° water · 25 mph wind · incoming tide
68° water · 10 mph wind
Not scored today
3 other spots where people fish for lingcod: 3 closed to lingcod or out of season today.
The water they want
Lingcod feed from about 45° to 58°F and best near 52°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 9 of 13 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water45–58°F, best near 52°
- TideEither, as long as it moves
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 20–300 ft
- Active monthsApr–Dec
Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works
Keep or release
- Alaska35" minimum · 1 a dayCook Inlet and Kachemak Bay: July 1–December 31, 1 lingcod a day, 2 in possession, at least 35" long with the head on (or 28" from tail tip to the front of the dorsal fin with the head off).Pacific waters · verified Oct 18, 2026 · source · 20 days since checked
- California22" minimum · 2 a day22" total length minimum, 2/person/day; fillets at least 14" with all skin attached. Boat season follows the groundfish complex (closed Jan 1–Mar 31). Shore anglers and spear divers are exempt from the season and depth rules.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source · 17 days since checked
- Oregon22" minimum · 3 a day22" minimum, 3/day, separate from the general marine bag. Open at all depths year-round.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source · 17 days since checked
- Washington2 a dayNo minimum size, 2/day. Coastal season mid-Mar–mid-Oct.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source · 17 days since checked
Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. Lingcod are fished at spots in 4 states: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington.
Waters with their own rules
These waters set limits for lingcod that differ from the rest of their state.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as lingcod, and how they’re doing today.
RockfishSebastes spp.1 of 18 spots worth the trip
Best now at Sitka, AK88
Bites in 45–58° water
Redtail surfperchAmphistichus rhodoterus0 of 11 spots worth the trip
Best now at Gold Beach, OR58
Bites in 48–62° water
Coho salmonOncorhynchus kisutch10 of 35 spots worth the trip
Best now at Marquette Park Beach, IN100
Bites in 44–58° water
Barred surfperchAmphistichus argenteus5 of 19 spots worth the trip
Best now at Santa Cruz Main Beach, CA94
Bites in 50–68° water