Photo 1: Lingcod caught near Winter Harbour.
Lingcod: Ophiodon elongatus
Lingcod, along with Halibut, are the most sought after bottom fish on North Vancouver Island. They readily go after bait or jigs and give a good fight for recreational fishermen. Females can grow as much as 120 cm in length and live to about 20 years. Males are smaller and generally live to be about 14 years in age.
Starting in October, male Lingcod migrate to inshore breeding grounds where they establish nests. Then females follow and lay eggs which the male will guard. Spawning takes place in the winter, between December and March, with eggs hatching in late April.
Because of serious overfishing concerns, retention size limits have been put in place with 65 cms being the minimum size for retention. This is the average size of a mature female (males mature at around 45 cms). This ensures that a breeding stock will continue to be present along the B.C. coast.
References: B.C. Fisheries Pamphlet on Lingcod Life Cycles.