Overview
Large North Pacific predator, aggressive and territorial.
Identification
Sharp teethRobust bodyDouble dorsal finsWide mouthLack of scales on sidesVariable colorationLarge headNo swim bladder
- Body
- Stout and elongated body with a large head and wide mouth.
- Colouration
- Colors range from brown to gray with blue-green marbling; often with irregular spots on the back.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not evident
- Growth
- Medium, grows rapidly in the early years and slows later.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Hexagrammidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Hexagrammos decagrammusPleurogrammus monopterygiusHexagrammos stelleriHexagrammos lagocephalusOxylebius pictus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the coastal waters of the northeastern Pacific, from southeastern Alaska to Baja California.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and reefs to hunt; prefers rocky bottom areas.
Prefers temperate waters and areas with abundant cover and complex structures.
Presence by sea area
Na Pacifico NwPeak
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Na Costa Ovest SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, octopuses, squid
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, crabs, krill
- Occasional prey
- fish eggs, sea stars
- Feeding behaviour
- An ambush predator, waits hidden among rocks to attack by surprise. Primarily hunts during daylight hours.
- Natural predators
- sea lions, seals, sharks, seabirds
Diverse prey makes the lingcod a highly adaptable predator to environmental changes.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- Non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves closer to shore during the breeding season. Feeding activity may increase in warmer months.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to stay in more sheltered and nearshore waters.
- Adults
- Adults are territorial and may occupy fixed hunting areas.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- December, January, February
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Eggs are benthic, laid in clusters under rocks, measuring about 2-3 mm in diameter.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and drift with currents before settling on the bottom.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Lingcod
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, mattina, tramonto
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Aggressive, attacks large lures.
Medium
Active near the bottom.
High
Stationary near dens.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky reefskelp areasshallow rocky bottomssubmerged escarpments
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
drift fishingspearfishingbottom fishingtrolling
Other applicable
Vertical JiggingSlow JiggingBolentinoBolentino MedioBolentino ProfondoDeep DroppingKabura Tai RubberLight Rock FishingPesca A FondoRock Fishing
Recommended baits
live baitfishsquid baitsoctopusartificial lures
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig medio (40-100g)Metal jig pesante (100-300g)Paddle tail softbaitSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)Shad softbaitSlow pitch jig
Medium
Aringa interaAringa vivaPezzo di pesceTrancio/Filetto di aringaCalamaro interoEsca viva (generica)Polpo morto
High
Aringa interaAringa vivaJig head + softbait
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Shows endurance and strength, providing a significant fight when hooked.
- Handling
- Use gloves to avoid sharp teeth and handle carefully to minimize stress.
- Release
- Ensure rapid and gentle release to ensure survival.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The all-tackle world record catch for lingcod was made in 1992 with a specimen of 37.64 kg at Kodiak Island, Alaska. In scientific literature, lingcod can grow up to 152 cm in length and weigh over 130 lbs.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued for its flavorful meat, often grilled or fried.
- Cultural notes
- Popular in the maritime culture of the northwest Pacific, often mentioned in fishing tales.
- Historical notes
- An important species for native coastal communities for both food and traditional fishing.
