Burbot
Lota lota
Burbot (Lota lota) is a coldwater freshwater cod relative found in lakes and large rivers across the Northern Hemisphere. It is a nocturnal bottom-dweller that feeds heavily on fish and invertebrates, especially in winter and under ice.
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Identification points
- Long, eel-like body with a single chin barbel on the lower jaw
- Two-part dorsal fin, with a short first dorsal followed by a much longer second dorsal and similarly long anal fin
- Rounded tail and mottled brown, yellow, and olive pattern that blends with rocks and bottom substrate
Habitat
Deep, cold lakes; large rivers; reservoirs with cool bottom water; commonly near rocky bottoms, logjams, drop-offs, and spawning tributaries. Often uses deeper water in warm seasons and moves shallower to feed or spawn in cold periods.
Bait notes
Effective baits include dead baitfish, cut sucker or cisco, nightcrawlers, minnows, and fish chunks. Jigs tipped with bait, rattle baits, and glow lures can work well in low light and ice-fishing situations.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal and benthic, foraging by smell along the bottom. It is most active in cold water, often feeding aggressively at night and during winter, including under ice; adults eat fish, eggs, crayfish, and aquatic insects.
Caution
Check local regulations; burbot are managed differently by region and some waters have winter closures or size/bag limits. They have a slimy body and small sharp teeth, and are best handled with wet hands or a gripper.
Fishing notes
Fish close to bottom with slow presentations and tight drag settings, especially at night or in cold water. In rivers, work seams, deep holes, and eddies; on lakes, target humps, points, and basin edges. Ice anglers often deadstick bait near bottom.