Lingcod

Ophiodon elongatus

Sighting evidence at Browning Pass, British Columbia

Lingcod are apex ambush predators in the Browning Pass ecosystem, sitting motionless on rocky outcrops waiting for fish, squid, or octopus to wander within strike range. Males guard and aerate their egg masses through winter — a vivid turquoise-green clutch visible in rocky crevices from November through February — while females return to deeper water. Their populations at protected northern Vancouver Island sites like Browning Pass are among the healthiest remaining in BC, free from the overfishing pressure that has depleted lingcod further south.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Lingcod is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Lingcod

Evidence at this site

Also seen at other sites