Best lingcod lakes in California
10 California waters hold lingcod, 10 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — 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.
- Central Monterey Bay — 2757 ft max · survey depth data · Chinook Salmon, California Halibut, Surfperch, LingcodWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
- Northern Monterey Bay — 870 ft max · survey depth data · Chinook Salmon, California Halibut, Surfperch, LingcodWhy #2: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Drakes Bay — 150 ft max · survey depth data · Surfperch, Lingcod, Black Rockfish, CabezonWhy #3: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Southern Monterey Bay — 315 ft max · survey depth data · Chinook Salmon, California Halibut, Surfperch, LingcodWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
- Bodega Bay — 87 ft max · survey depth data · California Halibut, Surfperch, Lingcod, CabezonWhy #5: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 4 public access sites, 2 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Half Moon Bay — 64 ft max · survey depth data · California Halibut, Surfperch, Lingcod, Black RockfishWhy #6: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Bolinas Bay — 54 ft max · survey depth data · California Halibut, Surfperch, Lingcod, CabezonWhy #7: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Mendocino Bay — 49 ft max · survey depth data · Lingcod, Black Rockfish, Cabezon, Kelp GreenlingWhy #8: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Cuffeys Cove — 104 ft max · survey depth data · Lingcod, Black Rockfish, Cabezon, Kelp GreenlingWhy #9: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site, 1 carry-in or shore-oriented
- Albion Cove — 33 ft max · survey depth data · Lingcod, Black Rockfish, Cabezon, Kelp GreenlingWhy #10: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
Find the closest lingcod waters to you →
How to use this ranking
The order is a map-planning ranking, not a claim about today's fish population. It favors larger mapped waters and gives survey-backed contours a three-times data-quality boost. Agency population surveys, current regulations, access and recent conditions should make the final decision.
Compare maximum depth across 37,233 lake records · See California waters with public access data
When to fish lingcod in California
- 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 California: best largemouth bass lakes · best smallmouth bass lakes · best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best rainbow trout lakes · best striped bass lakes · best chinook salmon lakes · best steelhead lakes · best brown trout lakes · best brook trout lakes · best kokanee lakes · best spotted bass lakes · best brown bullhead lakes · best california halibut lakes · best surfperch lakes · best barred sand bass lakes · best spotted sand bass lakes · best kelp bass lakes · best california scorpionfish lakes · best black rockfish lakes · best cabezon lakes · best copper rockfish lakes
Lingcod elsewhere: Washington · Alaska