SUSTAINABILITY: Great choice if you are looking for a fish to eat- not as slow growing as rockfish, don’t have a swim bladder, so undersized respond well to release= sustainable. Lingcod stock was overfished in the late ‘90s, but because Lings are fast-growing and relatively short-lived they respond well to management and rebuilding plans- their population in California is now doing great. Catch them yourself, buy from a small-scale hook and line commercial fisherman or buy from a CSF. Large drag boats that can catch these damage ocean bottom habitat.

Range: They are found only off the west coast of North America from the Gulf of Alaska down to Baja California- common off the California coast

Habitat: Found in rocky reef and kelp forest habitat from 10 -300 ft depths

Diet: Lingcod are voracious ambush predators, eating rockfish, squid, baitfish, crustaceans and even smaller lings

Age: Females mature at 3yrs old/30”, males at 2yrs/20”- these fish can live to around 20 yrs old

Description/Natural History: elongated body, huge head with 18 very sharp large teeth, base color is either tanish/white/brown or bright electric blue with copper bronze mottling along back, large pectoral (side) fins they use for sitting on/near the ocean floor waiting to ambush prey. Solitary and stay within a small home zone unless spawning. Spawn in winter- females lay eggs in crevices in shallow rocky areas; males guard the eggs for 8-10 weeks. Hexagrammidae family- close relatives are the greenlings

California Recreational Fishing Regs: 3 fish 22” or more in length. The 22” length restriction protects immature fish and allows fish to spawn at least once before getting caught. A winter fishing closure protects these fish while coming close to shore to spawn and nest

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return an item in its original new condition (unworn) within 2 weeks of purchase date.You will be refunded the purchase price minus shipping.