lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
Rocky-bottom fish of the northeast Pacific, much sought after by sport and commercial fishing. It has sharp teeth, which call for care when handling.
Also called: bacalhau-longo, bacalao largo, molva, lingcod
- maximum
- 152 cm
- record/max.
- 59.1 kg
- depth
- 0–475 m
who is the lingcod
The lingcod belongs to the family Hexagrammidae. It reaches 152 cm and weighs up to 59.1 kg. It lives in the northeast Pacific, from the Gulf of Alaska to Ensenada, Mexico, from the intertidal zone down to 475 m. Adults stay near rocks, along the coast and down to 427 m, and juveniles live on sand or mud in bays. It feeds mainly on other fish, as well as crustaceans, octopus and squid. It is a very important species for sport and commercial fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the lingcod.
fun facts
- The liver is rich in vitamin A.
- Males guard the eggs until they hatch, hidden in crevices or under stones.
identification
Elongated body, without scales on the head, with a fleshy appendage called a cirrus above each eye. The mouth is large, and the jaw reaches almost to the vertical line of the rear edge of the eye. The jaws have small, pointed teeth mixed with large fang-like teeth, another mark for identification. The back varies from dark gray, blue and brown to green, sometimes with copper-colored spots, and the belly is paler.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs in the northeast Pacific, from the Gulf of Alaska to Ensenada, Mexico, in coastal and shelf waters.
Habitat: From the intertidal zone down to 475 m, on rocky bottoms and near reefs. Juveniles live on sand and mud in bays.
rules for the lingcod
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
The teeth are sharp and the gill rakers cut fingers, so hold it with a cloth or glove. Because it comes from the bottom, the pressure change can cause barotrauma, so release it carefully.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh and frozen; can be boiled, fried, grilled or baked.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00389, b = 3.12; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Ophiodon elongatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Ophiodon elongatusNames by country and language.