Gorge Ling Question

[shawdawg]

Thinking about fishing the gorge this winter for a few days and trying to get a gauge on the ling there.  I have fished ling before in Montana and love fishing for them and especially eating them.  Question here is what would you say the average size ling is there.  I know that can vary but just trying to get a picture of what's there.  Thanks

[MadMax101]

Didnt fish it last year as it was a bad ice year....but the previous couple years, the size of the fish caught seemed to be smaller with  Lots of 10"-16" ling. Caught one that was about 6".  Not like it was 5-6 years ago it seems. Fished the same places.....

[gemcityslayer]

Thinking about fishing the gorge this winter for a few days and trying to get a gauge on the ling there.  I have fished ling before in Montana and love fishing for them and especially eating them.  Question here is what would you say the average size ling is there.  I know that can vary but just trying to get a picture of what's there.  Thanks

I would say they average like 2-3lbs.

Biggest I caught was a few years ago @ 8lbs.    Remember though there is no limit on them... a guy can get a lot of meat ling fishing the gorge.

[PERSONA]

I'd say more like 1 to 2 lbs. Remember they have been put on the list of being one of the species with the highest levels of mercury along with the smallies  in that body of water! Eat the smaller ones and trash the bigger ones.

[gemcityslayer]

Yeah that bummed me out when I learned they were high in mercury, my dad was from the south and we like big fish frys   I'll still eat them now but not like a pig    I eat a lot of fish though and I'm quite the character, maybe mercury is good fer ya.

[Dorado]

I'd say more like 1 to 2 lbs. Remember they have been put on the list of being one of the species with the highest levels of mercury along with the smallies  in that body of water! Eat the smaller ones and trash the bigger ones.

I would take the mercury advisories as they are intended.  The standard for exposure is very conservative.  It is aimed at children and women of child bearing age, because methyl mercury can lead to  issues in the developing brain of  a child at much lower doses than when consumed by adults.

So if you don't fall into that category, eat em up!

[Lets fish]

Tasty fish for sure u may want to try big sandy. Average 2-3 seen them up to 14

[Lowens110]

Tasty fish for sure u may want to try big sandy. Average 2-3 seen them up to 14

Where on big sandy fished it twice with no luck

[Lets fish]

I like to fish the dam in front of the release. The corner by the spill way can also be good. Try fishing 5-20 ft with spoons and sucker meat. Good luck