The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Kelp Greenling Hexagrammos decagrammus
Kelp Greenling Size, Range & Diet
| Maximum | up to 21 in (53 cm) and about 4.6 lb |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | up to 18 years in northern Southeast Alaska; 25 years in Oregon |
| Range | Aleutian Islands, Alaska to La Jolla, California. |
| Habitat | Rocky inshore areas, common in kelp beds and over sand bottoms to about 150 ft (46 m). |
| Diet | Crabs, shrimp, snails, chitons, abalone, octopus, fish, fish eggs and algae. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Kelp Greenling
- Five lateral lines along each side
- Two fleshy cirri — one above the eye, one small one midway between eye and dorsal fin
- Females freckled all over with small reddish-brown to golden spots on gray-brown, fins mostly yellowish orange
- Males gray to brownish olive with irregular BLUE spots over the front half to two-thirds, each ringed by small reddish-brown spots
- Often an eye-like ocellus at the rear of the soft dorsal, just ahead of the tail; mouth yellowish inside
Tell it apart: Five lateral lines plus a pair of fleshy cirri over the eye identify a greenling; the sexes look like different fish — blue spots forward on males, rusty-gold freckling all over on females.
How to Catch Kelp Greenling
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- Right in the kelp and over shallow rock inside 150 ft; small baited hooks, shrimp flies and little jigs fished close to the weed take them readily.GearSmall shrimp fliesLight metal jigsLight saltwater combo
When & Where Kelp Greenling Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska — Aleutians & Alaska Peninsula Nearshore |
Kelp Greenling Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.