Ling
Ling (Genypterus blacodes) is a deep-water bottom fish caught commercially and recreationally around the South Island and sub-Antarctic waters.
Known locally as kingklip, it's a genuine eating fish — firm, white flesh that holds up to almost any cooking method. Most recreational encounters happen while targeting other deepwater species over rough bottom.
Scientific Name: Genypterus blacodes
Also known as Kingklip, Pink Ling, New Zealand Ling
- Eel-like, elongated body with a pinkish-orange upper surface broken by irregular reddish-brown blotches and mottling — unmistakable once you've seen one.
- Large mouth with thick, fleshy lips and canine-like teeth; small head relative to the body; whitish belly.
- Typical fish run 80–120 cm and 4–10 kg; larger specimens push past 20 kg.
- No separate dorsal or anal spines — the fins run continuously along the back and underside, reinforcing the cusk-eel silhouette.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found all around New Zealand except the east coast of Northland, but the main concentrations are around the bottom of the South Island and over the Campbell Rise.
- A bottom-dweller at heart, living at 200–800 m depth over the continental shelf and slope; occasionally recorded as shallow as 22 m in inshore areas.
- Not native to New Zealand — it shares its range with southern Australia, Chile and Brazil, and is managed here as a distinct New Zealand stock.
- Will move up the water column to feed, but spends most of its time on or near the seafloor, sometimes sheltering in burrows.
Key Locations
- Campbell Rise — a major commercial and recreational deep-water concentration area south of the South Island.
- Southern South Island shelf and slope — the primary zone for trawl and longline fisheries targeting ling.
- Cape Rodney and Leigh reef area, Northland — occasional inshore fish reported in 20–50 m over reef structure.
- Southern North Island deep water — longline and trawl operations work the 200–700 m zone here as well.
Specific Spots
- Rough, broken bottom at depth — ling hold tight to the seafloor structure where they can shelter and intercept prey moving along the bottom.
- The Campbell Rise is a known concentration area; deep-water drop-offs and shelf edges along the South Island's southern coast hold fish year-round.
- Inshore, occasional fish turn up over rocky reef in 20–50 m around northern areas like Cape Rodney and Leigh, though these are the exception rather than the rule.
Ling FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Ling?
Squid and cut fish baits are the go-to for longline and bottom-fishing rigs, both match the natural diet and hold well on the hook at depth. Deep-water jigs worked close to the bottom will take ling incidentally, though bait outfishes lures for this species in most situations.
When is the best time to fish for Ling?
Available year-round, ling are caught in every month. Commercial peak season runs October–November, which likely reflects improved catchability or fish condition rather than absence at other times.
How do you catch Ling?
Most recreational ling are caught while bottom fishing at depth from a boat, either on baited paternoster rigs or as a bycatch on longlines targeting other deepwater species. Fishing directly on or just above rough bottom at 200 m-plus with squid or cut bait gives the best chance of a deliberate encounter.
What do Ling eat?
Feeds on fish, squid, and crustaceans along the seafloor, the large canine-like teeth are built for gripping slippery prey. Longline baits of squid and fish work directly on this feeding behaviour. Will move up off the bottom to chase prey, so baits fished on or just above the seafloor cover both feeding modes.
Where do Ling live?
Found all around New Zealand except the east coast of Northland, but the main concentrations are around the bottom of the South Island and over the Campbell Rise. A bottom-dweller at heart, living at 200–800 m depth over the continental shelf and slope; occasionally recorded as shallow as 22 m in inshore areas.
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