Kelp Greenling
Hexagrammos decagrammus
Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) is a colorful nearshore reef fish of the North Pacific, common around kelp beds and rocky bottoms. Males are especially ornate, and the species is a popular shore and boat catch where it occurs.
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Identification points
- Two distinct color forms: males usually mottled olive-brown with blue-green markings; females and juveniles often red-brown with pale blotches.
- Long, continuous dorsal fin with sharp front spines and a low, soft rear section.
- Large head with thick lips and a body speckled with many small blue spots or bars, especially on the sides.
Habitat
Shallow coastal rocky reefs, eelgrass and kelp forests, tidepools, and boulder fields, usually over structure from the intertidal zone to about 100 m but most often much shallower.
Bait notes
Take bait readily on small pieces of shrimp, squid, clams, mussels, worms, and cut bait. Small jigs, soft plastics, and baited hooks fished tight to cover also work well.
Behavior
A bottom-oriented ambush predator that picks crabs, shrimp, worms, small mollusks, and fishes from algae-covered rocks and kelp. Males guard nests in spring and can be territorial around structure.
Caution
Spines and rough gill covers can prick hands; handle carefully. Local size and bag limits may apply, and some areas have consumption advisories for nearshore species, so check regional guidance before eating.
Fishing notes
Fish near kelp edges, reef cracks, and tide-washed rocks with light tackle and a sensitive presentation. Keep baits close to bottom; slow retrieves and short hops are usually better than fast lures.