Ling
Eel
A long, eel-shaped member of the cod family with a mottled olive-brown body, a single chin barbel and two dorsal fins, the second running almost the full length of its back.
Facts
- The largest member of the cod family found in UK waters, with big specimens exceeding 1.5 metres offshore.
- Shore-caught ling tend to be smaller than their deep-water, wreck-dwelling relatives.
- Favours rough, snaggy ground and rock crevices, much like conger eel, which is where most shore fish are taken.
UK fishing rules
No statutory UK-wide recreational size limit currently applies to ling.
Where to catch Ling (1 mark)
| Mark | Region | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gairloch Harbour | Scotland | Autumn–winter | Bait fished into deeper water off the harbour |