LINGCOD
DID YOU KNOW? Lingcod populations are easily impacted by changes
in their environment because they are slow growing and non-migratory.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ophiodon elongatus, from
the Greek ophis or snake, odons meaning tooth, and Latin
elongatus or elongate.
COMMON NAMES: Cultus cod, blue cod, bluefish, green cod, buffalo
cod, and white cod.
DESCRIPTION: The lingcod has a large head, large mouth, and large
teeth. Its long, elongate body tends to narrow towards the tail. It has
one long dorsal fin with the spinous and soft-rayed parts separated by
a notch. Its body coloration tends to be dark gray, brown or a greenish
color on the back with varying degrees of mottling or spotting present
along the upper back. Lingcod can reach up to 5 feet in length.
LIFECYCLE: Lingcod spawn from November through April, usually
within the inter-tidal zone in rocks or crevices. Females generally produce
60,000 to 500,000 eggs, depending on individual body size. The fertilized
eggs attach to the rocky substrate, usually in large masses, up to 30 pounds
of eggs in one mass. Males can spawn with more than one female in the same
egg mass. The male guards the nest and apparently fans or moves water over
the eggs with his tail. The eggs commonly hatch in six weeks, and sexual
maturity is commonly reached in 2-3 years. Lingcod begin life in near-surface
marine waters and estuarine areas. As juveniles lingcod primarily use estuaries,
while adults are usually found in marine waters of 100-150 M deep.
RANGE: Along the Pacific coast from Baja California to the Shumigan
Islands in the Gulf of Alaska; although most abundant from Pt. Conception,
California to Cape Spencer, Alaska.
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY: Lingcod lay eggs requiring well-oxygenated
water in rocky, marine sub-tidal areas in crevices and overhangs. Larvae
are found in the near-surface marine waters and estuarine areas. In this
life-stage, lingcod feed primarily on copepods, eggs, and other crustaceans.
As it matures, lingcod are commonly found in shallow, inter-tidal areas
of bays near algae and seagrass beds. Mature lingcod feed primarily on
other fish and smaller lingcod.
Because of its tendency to live around rocky coastal areas with good
water movement and plentiful food, the lingcod is susceptible to petrochemical
spills and can accumulate concentrations of heavy metals. Human impacts
in estuaries, such as dredging shoreline for development, alteration and
filling of wetlands, and runoff of nutrients from residential and agricultural
areas, also pose a threat to the lingcod.
ECONOMIC VALUE: The lingcod is an important commercial species
in Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska. In Puget Sound, lingcod is
the eighth most important commercial species. In addition to its commercial
value, lingcod is a highly valued sport fish because of its large size
and excellent taste.
Revised 12/16/96
