Washington · Strait & Sound
LINGCOD FISHING
IN PORT TOWNSEND
Port Townsend is a solid destination for lingcod fishing, with good fishing in May, June. Book a charter and target lingcod with local experts.
About Lingcod Fishing in Port Townsend
The toothy lingcod is a fearsome ambush predator found on rocky reefs and kelp forests from Southern California to Alaska. These aggressive fish are known for striking at hooked rockfish and can be caught jigging, trolling, or drift fishing. Their mild, white flesh is considered among the finest eating on the Pacific coast.
Lingcod are fearsome-looking ambush predators that patrol rocky reefs, kelp forests, and pinnacles from Southern California to Alaska. Despite the name, they are neither ling nor cod — they are the largest member of the greenling family. Lingcod have a massive head with a jaw full of sharp, conical teeth, a mottled brown-gray body, and large pectoral fins. Their most striking feature is their occasionally blue-green colored flesh (caused by a harmless bile pigment), which turns white when cooked and is considered among the finest eating fish on the Pacific coast.
Scientific name: Ophiodon elongatus
Lingcod Seasonal Calendar — Port Townsend
Month-by-month availability for lingcod in Port Townsend, WA.
How to Catch Lingcod in Port Townsend
Techniques & Bait
Jigging heavy metal jigs (6-16 oz Crippled Herring, Luhr-Jensen Pipe Jig, Diamond Jigs) over rocky structure in 60-200 feet is the primary technique. Swimbaits (6-10 inch) on heavy jigheads worked along the bottom are deadly. Lingcod are notorious for grabbing hooked rockfish — many are caught "hitchhiking" on a rockfish being reeled up. Live bait (small rockfish where legal, mackerel) dropped to the bottom near structure produces trophy fish. Trolling large plugs along reef edges works well from boats.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy to heavy conventional rod (5'6"-7 ft), level-wind reel, 40-65 lb braided line, 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader, 6-16 oz jigs. The heavy tackle is needed to wrestle fish out of rocks and kelp quickly.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Port Townsend
Top spots where local captains target lingcod and other nearshore species.
Admiralty Inlet
Admiralty Inlet connecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound funnels powerful tidal currents past Port Townsend, creating prime habitat for Chinook salmon, lingcod, and rockfish. Mooching and jigging in the inlet's deep water produces quality salmon and bottomfish.
McCurdy Point
McCurdy Point on Marrowstone Island features rocky nearshore structure where lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon hold in current-swept habitat. The point's position in Admiralty Inlet catches strong tidal flows that concentrate baitfish and attract predators.
Protection Island
The waters around Protection Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Port Townsend hold Chinook salmon, lingcod, and rockfish over rocky bottom. The island's protected wildlife refuge status limits approach distance, but fishing the surrounding waters is productive.
Kala Point
Kala Point south of Port Townsend features rocky nearshore reefs where lingcod, rockfish, and greenling hold in 30 to 70 feet of water. The point's kelp beds and rocky structure provide reliable nearshore bottom-fishing for small boats.
Other Species in Port Townsend
More fish you can target while visiting Port Townsend.
Lingcod Fishing in Port Townsend — FAQ
Lingcod fishing in Port Townsend is productive during May, June.
Lingcod fishing charters in Port Townsend are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Jigging heavy metal jigs (6-16 oz Crippled Herring, Luhr-Jensen Pipe Jig, Diamond Jigs) over rocky structure in 60-200 feet is the primary technique. Swimbaits (6-10 inch) on heavy jigheads worked along the bottom are deadly. Lingcod are notorious for grabbing hooked rockfish — many are caught "hitchhiking" on a rockfish being reeled up. Live bait (small rockfish where legal, mackerel) dropped to the bottom near structure produces trophy fish. Trolling large plugs along reef edges works well from boats.
No — when you book a charter in Port Townsend, your captain provides all required Washington fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Lingcod regulations in Washington include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Lingcod in Port Townsend, you may also catch Rockfish, Dungeness Crab, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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