Saltwater · Year-round; best June to October over kelp and rock
Rock Greenling
Hexagrammos lagocephalus
A hardy bottom fish of the cold North Pacific, found all around the rim — a circumpolar species from Alaska and the Bering Sea down to California and across to Asia. Its red-brown mottling hides it perfectly in kelp and rock, and spawning males turn dark with pale blotches.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Red-brown to reddish mottling over a stout, large-headed body
- Spawning males turn dark, almost black, with large pale blotches
- Five lateral lines along the side — the greenling family trait
- Large pectoral fins and a broad, squarish tail for life among rocks
- Colour always mottled, never boldly barred like the painted greenling
Habits
- Circumpolar in the North Pacific — Alaska and the Bering Sea to California, and across to Asia
- Lives on the bottom among kelp and rock, mostly in shallow subtidal water
- Feeds on crabs, shrimp, molluscs and small fish picked from the reef
- Males guard adhesive egg masses laid among rock and kelp until they hatch
- Strong for its size and quick to dive back into the kelp when hooked
Distribution
Where to find them
- Alaska kelp reefs and rocky points
- Puget Sound and Oregon rocky jetties and reefs
- Northern California kelp beds and rock points
Where they live
How to catch them
Bait and small jigs around kelp and rocky reefs Rock fishing
Rig: Medium spinning rod, 1-2 oz jig or a baited size 2-4 hook dropped along kelp edges and reef cracks from a boat or the rocks
Bait/lure: Shrimp, crab, small jigs
Key tip: Keep the bait tight to the rock — greenling rarely leave cover to chase a bait.
Shore fishing from rocky points with shrimp or crab Rock fishing
Rig: Sturdy shore rod, high-low rig with shrimp or crab pieces cast to the base of rocky points and jetty rock
Bait/lure: Shrimp and crab pieces
Key tip: Fish the rising tide, when greenling move in shallow to feed along the rocks.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium 7-8 ft spinning rod
- Line: 15-20 lb braid or mono
- Terminal: 1-2 oz jigs, size 2-4 hooks, snag-resistant rigs
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 12-18 in (30-46 cm); large fish to about 24 in (61 cm)
On the table
Good — firm white flesh, though most fish are modest in size.
Similar species
Kelp GreenlingKelp greenling is slimmer and smaller; its males carry orange-rust spots and females are golden, unlike the rock greenling's heavy red-brown mottling and big head
Whitespotted GreenlingWhitespotted greenling is much smaller and slender with neat rows of white spots; rock greenling is stouter, larger and red-brown mottledRegulations 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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