Saltwater · Year-round near shore; best spring through fall
Kelp Greenling
Hexagrammos decagrammus
A colourful nearshore fish of kelp and rock, catchable from shore, piers and small boats on light tackle. Males are blue-patterned, females rusty-spotted, and both peck at small baits fished tight to cover.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Slim, perch-like body with five lateral lines along each side
- Males are grey-blue with bright blue squiggles; females are rusty with orange-brown spots
- Small mouth and fleshy lips; a fleshy flap (cirrus) sits above each eye
- No heavy head spines, unlike rockfish
- Look-alike: rockfish have obvious spines on the head and dorsal fin and a larger mouth
Habits
- Territorial — a fish holds one patch of kelp or rock for months
- Feed by day on shrimp, crabs, worms and small fish
- Males guard clusters of eggs laid on rock in fall
- Stay shallow, usually in less than 60 ft of water
Distribution
Where to find them
- Edges and pockets inside kelp beds
- Rocky points and jetty rocks fished from shore
- Pier pilings with kelp and mussel growth
Where they live
How to catch them
Poke-poling and shore bait fishing
Rig: Small hook with a split shot, dropped into rock and kelp pockets
Bait/lure: Shrimp, sandworm, clam pieces
Key tip: Drop the bait into every pocket and hole. The bite is a sharp peck.
Light jigging in kelp
Rig: 1/4-1/2 oz jig head with a small grub
Bait/lure: 3" grubs and shrimp imitations
Key tip: Fish the lanes between kelp strands and let the jig fall to the rock.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 7-8' light spinning rod
- Line: 15-20 lb braid, 12 lb leader
- Terminal: Small hooks, split shot, light jigs
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 1-3 lb; large specimens 4 lb+
On the table
Good — firm, white flesh; best fresh.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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