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
Nehalem Bay State Park
Tillamook Co., OR
75/100
Sitka
Sitka Borough Co., AK
68/100
Avila Beach
San Luis Obispo Co., CA
66/100
Cayucos State Beach
San Luis Obispo Co., CA
66/100
Ocean Shores
Grays Harbor Co., WA
63/100
Westport Light State Park
Grays Harbor Co., WA
63/100
Twin Harbors State Park
Grays Harbor Co., WA
63/100
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Santa Cruz Co., CA
61/100
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
Lane Co., OR
60/100
Yachats State Recreation Area
Lincoln Co., OR
60/100
Gold Beach (South Beach Park)
Curry Co., OR
60/100
Pacific City Beach (Cape Kiwanda)
Tillamook Co., OR
50/100
Newport Beach
Orange Co., CA
42/100
Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)
Orange Co., CA
42/100
Seal Beach
Orange Co., CA
42/100
Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)
San Luis Obispo Co., CA
41/100
Half Moon Bay State Beach
San Mateo Co., CA
41/100
Homer / Kachemak Bay
Kenai Peninsula Borough Co., AK
37/100
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo Co., CA
31/100
Pacific Beach
San Diego Co., CA
30/100
Oceanside Beach
San Diego Co., CA
30/100
San Clemente State Beach
Orange Co., CA
30/100
Doheny State Beach
Orange Co., CA
30/100
Santa Monica State Beach
Los Angeles Co., CA
30/100
Zuma Beach
Los Angeles Co., CA
30/100
Ocean Beach (San Diego)
San Diego Co., CA
30/100
San Onofre State Beach
San Diego Co., CA
30/100
Redondo Beach
Los Angeles Co., CA
30/100
First Beach (La Push)
Clallam Co., WA
23/100
Puget Sound (Seattle)
King Co., WA
23/100
Pacific Beach State Park
Grays Harbor Co., WA
21/100
Imperial Beach
San Diego Co., CA
20/100
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
CA
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
WA
AK
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