Northwest Reel Life April 2024 Volume 3 Issue 6 - Flipbook - Page 23
The eggs are deposited
and fertilized in nests in
crevasses in the rock. After
spawning the males protect
the nests until they hatch in
5-11 weeks.
Lingcod are very vulnerable
while the eggs are
developing. The males are
very aggressive and will
attack anything considered
a threat to the nest.
Many become prey while
guarding the nests, leaving
the nest vulnerable to
predators. An unprotected
nest is usually decimated
in a day or so. The male
lingcod is essential for
successful spawning.
Although some migration
has been observed,
generally lingcod stay in
the same location most of
their lives. They are typically
structure-oriented and
found in 30-300 feet of
water. However on Mother’s
Day a few years back I
caught a lingcod while
flyfishing from the beach
(not as bad as it sounds.
I was doing a big brunch on
a beach and had everything
set up and ready to go.
Planned or otherwise I had
some time before everyone
arrived. I know, I know; I still
had a rod and gear with me
on Mother’s Day…)
Fishing for lingcod in the
straights, the San Juans,
and inner Puget Sound
can be a very rewarding
adventure. Partially because
once you find your rockpile
it can hold fish for years.
Lingcod can be found along
any surface visible structure
and here locally lingcod
opportunity abounds. I
like to meter around to
find isolated rockpiles and
then mark them on my
electronics (note to self,
don’t try to declutter your
chart while not paying
attention to what you’re
doing. Just recently I
deleted most of my spots
accidentally. I think that
I was in tears…) Having a
secrete rockpile can make
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