Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
Also known as Cultus cod, Blue cod, Bluefish, Green cod, Buffalo cod, Greenling, White cod
Culinary Profile
A mild-tasting fish.
A tender fish with large flakes.
Lingcod is a good source of low-fat protein and is high in vitamin B12 and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Lingcod are dark gray, brown, or greenish on the back with some copper-colored mottling or spotting along the upper back. Nicknamed “buckethead,” the lingcod has a large head and mouth, and 18 large, sharp teeth. Lingcod have long bodies that narrow toward the tail.
Biology
Lingcod grow quickly, up to 5 feet and 80 pounds, and can live more than 20 years. Males sexually mature when they are about 2 years old and almost 20 inches long. Females are able to reproduce when they are 3 years old and 30 inches long. In late fall, male lingcod gather and become territorial over areas suitable for spawning, usually shallow, rocky habitats.
Where They Live
Range Lingcod are found from Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska down to Baja California, but they’re most abundant near British Columbia and Washington. Habitat Larvae live near the surface of the ocean. Juveniles settle on nearshore sandy ocean bottoms near eelgrass or kelp beds. Young adults and adults move to rocky habitats or seaweed, kelp, and eelgrass beds, where food is abundant.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Alaska to California.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of lingcod totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $2.4 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: On the West Coast, lingcod are typically harvested with other groundfish in the trawl fishery. Lingcod are also harvested incidentally in bottom longline and salmon troll fisheries. Trawls that are used to harvest lingcod can contact the ocean floor and impact habitats, depending on the makeup of the ocean bottom and the size of the gear. Trawls cause minimal damage when targeting lingcod over soft, sandy, or muddy ocean bottoms. Some areas are closed to certain gear types to protect sensitive habitat and species.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Lingcod ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | 3.6 µg | 28 / 106 | 74% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Zinc | 0.45 mg | 64 / 111 | 42% |
| Phosphorus | 201 mg | 65 / 111 | 41% |
| Protein | 17.66 g | 75 / 111 | 32% |
| Iron | 0.32 mg | 87 / 111 | 22% |
Other West Coast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Lingcod.
California Market Squid
Doryteuthis (Loligo) opalescens
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
Canned or salted anchovies have a pronounced, salty tang, and fresh anchovies have a rich but subtle taste and a soft te…
Pacific Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Rich with a pronounced flavor.
Pacific Sardine
Sardinops sagax caerulea
When fresh, small sardines have a delicate flavor. Larger sardines have a fuller, oilier flavor, similar to anchovies bu…
Pacific Whiting
Mercluccius productus
Mild and slightly sweet.
Widow Rockfish
Sebastes entomelas
Delicate, nutty flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Lingcod, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stock status of Lingcod?
The stocks are not overfished.
What does Lingcod eat?
Lingcod grow quickly, up to 5 feet and 80 pounds, and can live more than 20 years. Males sexually mature when they are about 2 years old and almost 20 inches long. Females are able to reproduce when they are 3 years old and 30 inches long. In late fall, male lingcod gather and become territorial over areas suitable for spawning, usually shallow, rocky habitats.
How big does Lingcod get?
grow quickly, up to 5 feet and 80 pounds.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught lingcod is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of lingcod: Northern Pacific coast and Southern Pacific coast. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Northern Pacific stock is not overfished (2021 stock assessment), and not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Time and area closures and gear restrictions protect habitats that are affected by some types of fishing gear used to harvest lingcod.
Bycatch
Regulations prohibit fishing in certain areas to protect sensitive fish populations.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the lingcod fishery on the West Coast. Managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan : Size limits and trip limits Certain seasons and areas are closed to fishing. Gear restrictions help reduce bycatch and impacts on habitat.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 17 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.