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Best lingcod lakes in Alaska

9 Alaska waters list lingcod (official records or labelled estimates), 9 mapped with survey or official-chart depth data. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality, leading with the waters in our reviewed search catalog — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. A Pacific Coast ambush predator of rock, pinnacles and steep ledges, requiring stout tackle and a current check of tightly managed seasons and size rules.

1. Silver Bay — 400 ft · Survey depth data · 81% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
2. Ketchikan Harbor Anchorage Area — 162 ft · Survey depth data · 99% measured · real survey depth contours · Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Pacific HalibutWhy #2: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
3. Hoonah Harbor — 275 ft · Survey depth data · 82% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #3: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
4. Ryus Bay — 92 ft · Survey depth data · 70% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
5. Wrangell Harbor — 43 ft · Survey depth data · 97% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #5: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
6. Crescent Bay — 63 ft · Survey depth data · 93% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Dolly VardenWhy #6: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
7. Bald Headed Cove — 44 ft · Survey depth data · 100% measured · real survey depth contours · Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Pacific HalibutWhy #7: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
8. Clam Cove — 38 ft · Survey depth data · 100% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #8: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
9. Seal Cove — 51 ft · Survey depth data · 54% measured · real survey depth contours · Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum SalmonWhy #9: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site

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When to fish lingcod in Alaska

• Spring 25–140 ft — Probe measured charted rock and steep breaks, but verify whether the fishery is open before targeting or retaining lingcod.
• Summer 20–180 ft — Work the up-current edge of rock with a heavy jig or large bait; immediately move a fish away from cover.
• Fall 30–200 ft — Shift down the ledge as water cools and recheck the current regional season and size rules before fishing.
• Winter 60–240 ft — Generally a deep and regulation-sensitive winter target; do not infer an open season from this map.

Also in Alaska: best northern pike lakes · best rainbow trout lakes · best chinook salmon lakes · best coho salmon lakes · best lake trout lakes · best lake whitefish lakes · best burbot lakes · best arctic grayling lakes · best arctic char lakes · best pink salmon lakes · best chum salmon lakes · best pacific halibut lakes · best black rockfish lakes

Lingcod elsewhere: British Columbia · Washington · California