Washington regulations
Lingcod Regulations in Washington 2026
Washington lingcod 2026 open seasons vary by 13 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from WDFW.
Rules (50)
Washington statewideClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Angling Only
CLOSED to fshing for, retaining, or possessing. May 1-June 15
20 Fathom Depth Restriction BottomfishOpen
- Status
- Permitted
retention is allowed seaward of 20 fathoms when halibut is open.
Admiralty InletOut of season
- Season opens
- May 21
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 36"
- Gear
- Spearfishing
Area 2 Deepwater LingcodClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Oct. 1-Third Sat. in Oct.; No retention or possession seaward of a line drawn from, 47°31.70’ N, 124°45.00’ W to 46°38.17’ N, 124°30.00’ W. See map above.
East Juan De Fuca StraitOut of season
- Season opens
- May 21
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 36"
- Gear
- Spearfishing
Spearfishing season.
La Push (From The Queets River North To Cape Alva)In season
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Jul 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Aug. 1-Third Sat. in Oct.
Marine Area 1Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Oct 18
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Gaff
No retention or possession seaward of a line drawn from 46°38.17’ N Lat., 124°21.00’ W Lon., to 46°33.00’ N Lat., 124°21.00’ W Lon. Third Sat. in Oct. A gaff may only be used to land a legally hooked lingcod (in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) that will be retained.
Marine Area 2Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Gaff
May 1-May 31; No retention or possession seaward of a line approximating 30 fathoms (except when the primary halibut season is open). See 30 Fathom Lingcod Depth Restriction above. Oct. 1-Third Sat. in Oct. A gaff may only be used to land a legally hooked lingcod (in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) that will be retained.
Marine Area 3
- Gear
- Gaff
A gaff may only be used to land a legally hooked lingcod (in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) that will be retained.
Marine Area 4 (West Of Bonilla-Tatoosh Line)
- Gear
- Gaff
A gaff may only be used to land a legally hooked lingcod (in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) that will be retained.
San Juan IslandsOut of season
- Season opens
- May 21
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 36"
- Gear
- Spearfishing
May 21-June 15 May 1-June 15 Spearfishing season. May 21-June 15
Sekiu And Pillar PointOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- May 21
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 36"
- Gear
- Spearfishing
Lingcod retention is permitted seaward of the Bottomfish Closure on days open to both lingcod and halibut (see Bottomfish Closure below). Spearfishing season.
Tacoma And Vashon Island AreaOut of season
- Season opens
- May 21
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 36"
Spearfishing season. Hook and line season.
Other Washington fish regulations
Other regulated species in Washington with current rule pages — same WDFW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)921 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)783 rules
- Steelhead116 rules
- Rockfish32 rules
- Dungeness Crab21 rules
- White Sturgeon9 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Lingcod season in Washington?
Lingcod season in Washington runs from May 21 to Jun 15 per WDFW.
What is the size limit for Lingcod in Washington?
Minimum size for Lingcod in Washington is 26 inches in Admiralty Inlet, per WDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Lingcod in Washington?
Daily bag limit for Lingcod in Washington is 1 fish/day in Admiralty Inlet, per WDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/marine-area-5
- https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/marine-area-9
- https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/marine-area-6
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with WDFW before keeping a catch.