Lingcod fishing out of La Push starts close: the nearshore lingcod rock sits within 15 minutes of the boat basin, around James Island and north. Bar, launch and conditions sources are in our La Push port guide, and general technique and biology are in the lingcod species guide. The wider picture is in the Pacific Northwest region guide.
When lingcod are around La Push
All-Ways books offshore lingcod in May and June and nearshore bottomfish in April and May. That is a booking pattern rather than a biological calendar: nearshore rock trips get booked in April and May, offshore lingcod trips in May and June, and May overlaps both. Season rules are in the Regulations section below.
Where boats run from the La Push boat basin
Every distance on this page is measured from the La Push boat basin or the river mouth. James Island is the first landmark outside the basin.
Leeroy’s Ramblings puts the "prime sea bass and lingcod rock" within 15 minutes of the boat basin. Boats go around James Island and turn north to small islands and rock reefs. "Sea bass" is Leeroy’s term for the rockfish that share the rock with lingcod. The nearshore names are Carroll Island, Quileute Needles, Awash Rock and Sea Lion Rock. The longer run is The Rock Pile, about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth, per Leeroy.
A boat runs it in this order:
- Boat basin
- Around James Island
- North to the small islands and rock reefs
- Out to The Rock Pile
Grounds and structure near La Push
The nearshore rock runs from 60 to 130 ft on the published depths. SW-2 sits far deeper at 540 ft.
| Spot | Depth (ft) | Position as published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quileute Needles | 60 | ||
| Sea Lion Rock | 66 | 47-59-58 / 124-43-65 | bottomfish |
| Awash Rock | 72 | 47-58-90 / 124-43-72 | bottomfish |
| The Rock Pile | 130 | about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth | |
| SW-2 (SW corner of the halibut closure) | 540 | ||
| Carroll Island | |||
| Umatilla Reef | |||
| Q buoy |
The waypoints are user-reported positions as published by Leeroy’s Ramblings. You can plot them against Chart Contours in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
The Rock Pile
The Rock Pile sits at about 130 ft, about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth, per Leeroy. It is the deepest of the rock spots on the run and the outer stop.
Carroll Island
Carroll Island is the post-halibut stop. Leeroy reports a large ling taking a live kelp greenling near Carroll Island after a day of halibut fishing, which is how a halibut-day boat finishes the day.
SW-2
SW-2 is the SW corner of the halibut closure, at 540 ft. It is a halibut-trip reference point and sits far deeper than the lingcod rock. Anglers working that depth will find more in the deep-drop guides.
How lingcod are fished locally
Leeroy describes three methods that put lingcod in the boat out of La Push:
- Jigs: 1 to 3 oz jigs on the rock, which runs 60 to 130 ft on the published depths.
- Herring: Freezer-burned herring on a short mooching leader with about 2 oz of lead.
- Live kelp greenling: A large ling took one near Carroll Island after a day of halibut fishing.
Who fishes lingcod out of La Push
Three La Push charter operators list lingcod:
- Top Notch Ocean Charters site: Jim Richeson at the wheel.
- All-Ways Fishing: Randy Lato.
- KYS Outdoor Adventures FishingBooker listing: Captain Lamont Nelson, 31-foot Uniflite offshore sportfisher, six anglers max.
FAQ about lingcod fishing out of La Push
How far is the rock for lingcod fishing out of La Push?
Leeroy’s Ramblings puts the lingcod rock within 15 minutes of the boat basin, around James Island and north. The Rock Pile is about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth.
What month is best for lingcod out of La Push?
All-Ways books offshore lingcod in May and June and nearshore bottomfish in April and May. Those are the months trips get booked here.
How deep is the Rock Pile?
About 130 ft, per Leeroy. The nearshore rocks run shallower, from 60 to 72 ft.
What jig weight works at La Push?
Leeroy fishes 1 to 3 oz jigs on rock in the 60 to 130 ft range. The alternative is freezer-burned herring on a short mooching leader with about 2 oz of lead.
Can you fish lingcod after halibut at La Push?
Yes. Leeroy reports a large ling taking a live kelp greenling near Carroll Island after a day of halibut fishing. Check the regulations pages above for how the rules apply on combination days.
