Not a true cod. A toothy, green- or brown-mottled ambush fish that can eat a rockfish on the way up.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Rocky reefs with current, often mixed with rockfish on the same boat drop.
Two fish, 22-inch total length, counted separately from the 10 RCG. Boat fillets 14 inches with skin. A big grub on the same reef as vermilion is the SoCal picture. They are less common than rockfish on an LA half-day.
Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) are long, big-mouthed greenlings with large teeth and mottled grey, brown or green skin. Some have blue-green flesh, which turns white when cooked.
Lingcod live on rocky reefs, from shallow kelp to deep shelf. Near LA they are mostly caught from boats on deep reefs off Palos Verdes and in the San Pedro Channel.
CDFW's 2026 Southern Management Area table for boat-based anglers: closed January through March; open at all depths April through June; open only shoreward of 50 fathoms July through September; and from October 1 through December 31, nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings are closed while shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod may be taken only seaward of 50 fathoms. Shore-based anglers and divers are not bound by these seasons and depth limits.
Lingcod fall with shelf species in the October–December period, so boat anglers can keep them only seaward of 50 fathoms.
Lingcod are prized table fare. OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory lists lingcod at 1 serving a week for women 18–49 and children and 2 for others.
Daily bag is 2 lingcod, separate from the 10-fish RCG bag. Minimum size is 22 inches total length; fillets must be at least 14 inches.
Lingcod are not true cod; they are greenlings. Their long body, big head and large teeth separate them from rockfish. Cabezon also have big heads but are scaleless sculpins with fleshy flaps above the eyes.
Lingcod teeth are sharp, and gill rakers can cut hands. Use a lip gripper or net, and keep fingers out of the mouth. When releasing, return fish quickly; lingcod lack a swim bladder and often release well.
Lingcod follow the groundfish table with shelf species. In October–December 2026 boats may only take them seaward of 50 fathoms, while shore anglers and divers are exempt from season and depth restrictions.
Descending device required on boats. Fillets 14 inches with entire skin.
CDFW groundfish summary — lingcod →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
22 inches total length, with a 2-fish daily bag.
From a boat, only seaward of 50 fathoms through December 31.
No. Lingcod have their own 2-fish bag.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
