Fishing Reports

Lingcod action hot between winter storms

BROOKINGS, Ore. (Feb. 17, 2026) – Winter storms, with strong southerly winds and big swells, have kept boats at the docks for much of the new year, but between storms, when the ocean settles down, lingcod and rockfish action have been hot out of the Port of Brookings-Harbor.

On calm weather days, when swells are minimal, the lingcod action has been fast and furious. During days when the ocean is fishable but still fairly rough, rockfish action has been good, with lingcod fishing hit-and-miss.

**An angler holds a hefty lingcod caught on the Miss Brooke in February 2026 between winter storms.**

The lingcod limit for 2026 has increased to three fish a person per day. Limits have been caught when the ocean is calm and charter boats can get to House Rock or Mack Arch. Rockfish limits have been quick and easy so far this year, with a nice grade of black and blue rockfish, with some canary and vermillion rockfish mixed in.

Our charter boats have been using light spinning tackle to quickly limit out on rockfish, then switching over to heavier jigs and baits for lingcod. The lings are in shallow water this time of year, staging to spawn. Most of the fish are being caught in 30 to 60 feet of water.

**An angler holds his three-fish limit for lingcod caught aboard the Miss Brooke.**

By March, the number of fishable days increases, with longer periods between storms. Our charters run daily, weather permitting, with four-hour and six-hour charters. Beginning April 1, we will begin the long-range charters to Point St. George Reef, near the lighthouse, where we target trophy lingcod and trophy rockfish.

Halibut season opens May 1 on the Oregon Coast. This year’s limit remains two halibut per day. Out of Brookings, the best halibut fishing takes place in June, July and August, as more halibut migrate toward shore. Halibut spend the winter in deep water in the Gulf of Alaska, where they spawn, and move shallower, within 200 feet of water, to feed during the summer.

**A couple of nice lingcod from a recent trip aboard the Miss Brooke.**

Ocean salmon season typically runs late May through August. The 2026 season dates for the Oregon Coast will be announced in April. Out of Brookings, June and early July are the best months to troll for salmon.

To book an ocean charter, call (541) 813-1082 or visit www.brookingsfishing.com.

Here are some recent catches aboard the Miss Brooke and Nauti-Lady.