Lingcod

Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) belong to the family Hexagrammids. Contrary to their name, they are not true cods, but are greenlings. Lingcod are voracious predators and can grow to weigh over 80 pounds (35 kg) and measure 60 inches (150 cm) in length. They are characterized by a large mouth with 18 sharp teeth. Their color is variable, usually with dark brown or copper blotches arranged in clusters.

About:

• Size
  Length to 60 inches, weight to 85 pounds
• Lifespan
  25 years
• Distribution
  Only found on west coast of North America
• Other Names
  Cultus cod, blue cod, bluefish, green cod, buffalo cod, greenling, white cod
• Remarks
  Aggressive feeders

Source: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=lingcod.main

A Note from Captain Steve on Lingcod…

Lingcod and Rockfish are done together. We use long, light rods with 65 pound Spectra and a 16 ounce leadheads with 10 1/2 inch Kalin Grubs bouncing the bottom as we drift over pinnacles. The average depths are 30 to 150 feet. The lingcod limit here is a minimum size of 35 inches with lo slot limit, that means we can keep the large ones! The season starts July 1 – December 31 with a daily bag limit of two. Our average size is 30 to 55 pounds with many many over 60 and 70 pounds very regularly! Some people think the smaller ones are better eating but we disagree, these fish gorge themselves on molting crabs and lots of salmon, so they have tons of flavor! The salmon come through in huge schools with the currents and when they all get jammed up, the feeding frenzy for the Lingcod is on! Our Lodge Record happens to be the current I.G.F.A. All Tackle World Record of 82 pounds and 10 Ounces! We have seen two that were quite a bit larger than that one but we failed on hooking them, but there were definitely bigger ones out there!

Yelloweye Rockfish are caught the same way as the Lingcod. The daily limit is one and the size average here is 15 to 30 pounds. They are excellent eating fish that are 40 to 60 years old on average. I tell my clients they are like fine wine, the taste gets better with age!

Season: May 16 – November 30

Limits: Alaska residents—1 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit; For nonresidents—1 daily, 1 in possession, size limit: 30-inch minimum to 35-inches in length, or 55-inches or greater in length. Nonresident annual limit of 2 fish, one of which is 30-35 inches in length, and one that is 55-inches or greater in length, harvest record required

Licensing:  You can fill out the Pre-Arrival Packet and your license will be taken care of for you, or you can go directly to the Fish and Game website to buy one and print it out yourself. If you intend to fish for King Salmon you will need to have a King Salmon Stamp, which you can get through the Fish and Game website.

Gear Required: Supplied by Captain Steve’s Fishing Lodge

Recipes: The Fish Alaska magazine has great Lingcod recipes like these Alaska Cod Molé Tacos

Joe Johnson and a big Lingcod. (That's Joe on the left)