The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Pacific Whiting Merluccius productus
Pacific Whiting Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 14–24 in, 1–3 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 3.4 ft and 9 lb |
| Lifespan | up to about 16 years |
| Range | Eastern Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska south past Washington, Oregon and California to Baja and the Gulf of California, plus resident stocks in Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. |
| Habitat | Semi-pelagic schooler over the shelf and slope, mostly 150–1,600 ft, rising toward the surface at night and dropping back by day. |
| Diet | Krill, shrimp and small schooling fish such as herring and eulachon. |
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 Pacific Whiting
- Slender silvery body, dusky/sooty back, black lining inside the mouth
- Two dorsal fins, the second long and deeply notched
- Large mouth with two rows of sharp teeth; lower jaw projects
- No chin barbel; pointed snout
- Soft, flabby flesh; easily shed scales
Tell it apart: A slender silvery hake with a black-lined mouth, sharp teeth, NO chin barbel, and a long notched second dorsal is Pacific whiting (hake), the lack of a chin barbel rules out the true cods.
How to Catch Pacific Whiting
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- Best June through August when schools move in — drop small shrimp flies or sabiki bait rigs into midwater and jig steadily through the school.GearSabiki bait rigsSmall shrimp fliesLight bottom rod
When & Where Pacific Whiting Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern California Offshore |
Pacific Whiting Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.