Lingcod fishing out of Winchester Bay centers on a deep water reef about a 20 minute run from the dock and on the jetty structure at the river mouth. Port logistics are on our Winchester Bay page. This page covers timing, grounds, the local method, the buoy to read and who fishes here, using what the port’s operators report. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Pacific Northwest offshore fishing guide.
When lingcod are around Winchester Bay
Operators here report lingcod in April and May. They do not publish a season.
Where the reports sit:
- April: SOA’s April report lists lingcod and names jig as the bait used.
- May: operators report lingcod again.
- Other months: no operator here states a season, so we do not print one.
For spawning, habitat and the wider seasonal pattern, see our lingcod guide.
Where boats run from Winchester Bay
SOA reports a run of about 20 minutes to a deep water reef. Closer in, the named structure includes two jetties with published depths.
| Ground | Depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deep water reef | SOA (about 20 minute run) | |
| Umpqua River South Jetty | 50 ft | |
| Triangle Jetty | 25 ft | |
| Half Moon Bay | ||
| Tenmile Reef |
The deep water reef
SOA runs to a deep water reef about 20 minutes from Winchester Bay. Its site does not name the reef.
A 20 minute run is short enough to fit a morning trip. The reef sits outside the bar, so both the bar conditions and the offshore numbers matter on the day.
Umpqua River South Jetty
The Umpqua River South Jetty, also called the Umpqua Jetty, is listed at 50 ft. It is jetty structure close to the port, which makes it the obvious choice if you want to stay inside and keep the run short.
Triangle Jetty
Triangle Jetty is listed at 25 ft, the shallowest named structure on this list.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a named ground near Winchester Bay.
Tenmile Reef
Tenmile Reef is a named reef ground near Winchester Bay.
Chart Contours shows the bottom around the jetties. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How lingcod are fished here
SOA’s April report lists jig as the bait used.
Structure at 25 ft and 50 ft fishes differently from a deep reef. With less line out, drops are faster and contact with the bottom is more direct. Deeper water puts more demand on your drift and timing. For working deeper water, see our bottomfish and deep-drop guides.
Reading conditions before the run
Check NDBC station 46229, Umpqua Offshore, OR, at 43.772 N, 124.549 W. It is the nearest NOAA buoy to this port.
Read these three numbers, then compare them with the official marine forecast:
- Wave height
- Wave period
- Wind
Check the Umpqua River bar before you cross it. For a reef run outside the bar, the offshore buoy is the more useful reading, since it reports conditions past the jetties rather than at the dock.
Who fishes lingcod out of Winchester Bay
Three local operators list lingcod.
SOA Charters
Captain Travis Marsh runs SOA Charters out of Winchester Bay on a 28 ft Hewescraft with twin 150 hp Yamaha engines. SOA is the source for the deep water reef run and the April jig report above.
Ocean Obsession Guide Service
Captain David Morrow runs Ocean Obsession Guide Service, which lists lingcod.
Mark LaDuke Guide Service
Captain Mark LaDuke runs the Mark LaDuke Guide Service site, which lists lingcod.
FAQ about lingcod fishing out of Winchester Bay
When do operators report lingcod out of Winchester Bay?
Operators report lingcod in April and May. They do not publish a season.
How far do boats run for lingcod?
SOA runs to a deep water reef about 20 minutes from Winchester Bay. SOA’s site does not name the reef.
How deep is the jetty structure?
The Umpqua River South Jetty is 50 ft. Triangle Jetty is 25 ft.
What do local boats fish for lingcod?
SOA’s April report lists jig as the bait used.
Which buoy should I check before the run?
NDBC station 46229, Umpqua Offshore, at 43.772 N, 124.549 W. Read its wave height, period and wind alongside the official marine forecast.
