Unless you grew up Burbot fishing, chances are you’ve never heard of this fish. Gnarly to look at and slimy to hold, they barely see the light of day. When they do, anglers often squirm at the sight. For a long time, Burbot were considered trash – and many states still don’t classify them as game fish.
But their loss is your gain, because Burbot happen to be delicious and hard-fighting, growing to impressive sizes, too. What’s more, they bite when other fish don’t. Due to their unusual spawning cycle and feeding habits, catching them is a unique experience. Most of the time, you don’t even need a boat!
Intrigued? We thought you might be. Read on to discover why you should get out there and target this unique fish…
How to Identify Burbot
Burbot (Lota Lota) is a freshwater species belonging to the Cod family. It’s the only member of its genus, Lota, and goes by many names. Bubbot, Cusk, Loche, Freshwater Cod, Freshwater Ling, Freshwater Cusk, Eelpout, Lingcod, and Mariah are all popular monikers for Burbot.
“Lawyer” is another – less endearing – nickname, earned due to their slimy texture and a tendency to wrap their tails around your forearm when you hold them!
Burbot inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers throughout the northern hemisphere, most notably in Europe and North America. Once common in the UK, these fish virtually disappeared from local waters by the 1970s due to habitat loss.
In North America, they’re concentrated in Canada and the upper reaches of the US, including Alaska and the mainland from eastern Washington to Maine. Their range even extends as far south as Missouri.
Burbot resemble Eels due to their long, slender bodies and short fins. Their mottled skin is often some shade of brown, but may also be black, gray, green, or yellow. They appear smooth to touch, leading many people to think Burbot have no scales. In reality, they do but they’re microscopic. At first glance, you might not even realize the Burbot you caught is a fish!
A couple of fish similar to Burbot include Bowfin and Snakehead. One way to tell Burbot apart is the fact that they have two dorsal fins. They also sport a single chin whisker (called a barbel) which is how they got their name from the Latin word barba, meaning beard.
On average, Burbot grow to about 15 inches long but may reach as much as 50 inches. Small Burbot weigh only several pounds, while trophies can tip the scale past 25 pounds on rare occasions.
Best Burbot Fishing Spots
With a range encompassing the better part of North America, it’s hard to narrow down the best Burbot fishing spots. These fish thrive in cold water and spend much of the year below ice, which makes the northernmost reaches of our continent prime Burb territory. To maximize your chances of catching them, try your luck in one of the following places:
Alaska
Alaska is one of the few states to recognize Burbot as a sport fish – and with good reason. Here, they’re plentiful and make for great winter table fare when other fish are scarce. Burbot is a fish that can quite literally feed the Last Frontier!
Some of Alaska’s best Burbot fishing waters include glacial river systems such as the Yukon, Copper, and Kuskokwim Rivers. However, the Tanana River undoubtedly stands out above the rest. This tributary of the Yukon River stretches over 580 miles, hosting loads of Burbot and offering anglers plenty of access points from hubs like Fairbanks, Big Delta, and Manley Hot Springs.
The possession limit for Burbot in most parts of Alaska is 15 fish per day. But this varies depending on the area – some waters that are more heavily fished enforce much tighter regulations. For example, the bag limit in Lake Louise is one Burbot, while the Tyone River system allows two. Always be sure to check Alaska’s statewide and local regulations before you go.
Alberta
In a land marked by breathtaking nature as well as harsh winters, catching Burbot in Alberta is an unforgettable experience. But it’s no easy task! It’s well worth the effort, though, and that sweet reward is why locals call this fish “the poor man’s Lobster.”
Gull Lake is one of the most well-known Burbot fishing spots in Alberta, followed by many others such as Wabamun Lake, Lesser Slave Lake, and the North Saskatchewan River – to name a few!
There’s a bag limit of 10 Burbot in Alberta. Though present year-round, you may not always be allowed to fish for them. Note that lakes and streams in some areas have a closed season to protect local species while they spawn.
Saskatchewan
Arguably, Saskatchewan should be first on our list – it probably would have been if we weren’t covering Burbot territory from west to east! This province is known for big Burbs and is home to the all-tackle world record of 25 pounds, 2 ounces. If you’re eager to follow suit, try your own luck in Diefenbaker Lake. As Canada’s top ice fishing destination, Tobin Lake isn’t a bad choice either.
Saskatchewan allows anglers to keep up to eight Burbot. Depending on the area, the general fishing season closes for about a month each year in March or April.
Minnesota
With access to Lake Superior and plenty of smaller waters, Minnesota is another great place to go ice fishing for Burbot. Just note that, around here, they’re more commonly called Eelpout. However, these fish weren’t popular until recently, with an upgrade from “rough fish” to “game fish” in 2020.
Shallow lakes like Mille Lacs and Leech often have good Burb action in early December, as soon as the ice begins to form. Lake of the Woods is another hot spot you shouldn’t overlook. During the day, you might catch Burbot with the same jig presentations you use for Perch and Walleye. But twilight is really the best time to start fishing, as you’ll be able to catch Burbot closer to shore.
There’s currently no size or bag limit for Burbot in Minnesota, but this may change as the local government seeks to regulate the state’s newest game fish.
Michigan
The Great Lakes are home to some of the best Burbot fishing imaginable. So if that’s what you’re after, head to Michigan. Here you’ll have your pick of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, not to mention inland waters that are also known to have a hot Burb bite.
What makes Burbot fishing especially interesting in Michigan is the opportunity to target them by spearfishing. Surprised? All we can say is, you better bring one thick wetsuit!
While Michigan’s state regulations are quite particular about fishing methods and what gear to use, there’s no defined size or possession limit for Burbot. Spearfishing for Burbot is legal in the Great Lakes and all of Michigan’s waters, except designated Trout lakes and streams.
How to Fish for Burbot
Since most Burbot fishing happens in winter, you can usually expect to go ice fishing for them. This is considered the easiest and safest method. But you do have other options such as bottom fishing, as well as spearfishing in certain areas. Let’s break them down…
Ice Fishing
Burbot stick to shallow water during their spawning season and often feed near structure like reefs, bars, humps, or rocks. Look for any of these about 15–20 feet below the frozen water surface. Fishing shallow water directly adjacent to deep water is also productive.
You’ll need gear such as an auger and potentially an ice hut to stay warm. Keep in mind that Burbot are mainly nocturnal feeders, so the best fishing for them is at night. Many anglers cut holes in the ice over some sort of structure at dusk and wait for a bite after the sun sets. Depending on the area and what gear you use, it’s possible to fish for Burbot in total darkness.
When it comes to technique, there are two methods to catching Burbot through the ice: jigging or using tip-ups.
When jigging for Burbot, be aggressive. You want your bait to make a racket along the bottom and even kick up some sediment in order to draw the fish closer. Some anglers even use phosphorescent jigging spoons so that their bait is easier to find in the dark. After clanking your bait around, lift it several feet from the bottom and allow it to sit suspended in the water column. This pause between erratic movements is when Burbot are most likely to strike.
Tip-ups offer a less active approach to Burbot fishing but are highly productive. In this case, you’re using a set-line device to keep your bait suspended at a certain depth. When a fish bites, the device triggers a pop-up flag. Set your baits by dropping them all the way to the bottom, then tighten the line so that they sit a few inches above the rocks.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing for Burbot is an equally unique experience, and one that’s fairly popular in Michigan. In this case, you still won’t be fishing from a boat, and you won’t be using a rod or reel, either. Instead, you’ll need a wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel, gloves, safety gear such as a float, and a speargun that’s legal to use, of course.
Though Burbot fishing is best at night, you’ll have to limit any spearfishing for them to daylight hours because this technique is only legal in Michigan until 30 minutes after sunset.
Spearfishing is one of the most physically demanding ways to fish. Add to that extremely cold water temperatures during winter, and it quickly becomes dangerous. If you’re relatively new to spearfishing, never try this technique without an experienced partner or professional guide.
Trot-Lining
Depending on the season, some areas allow the use of trot lines (aka set lines). This simple technique involves stringing up a line with multiple baited hooks and leaving them out overnight.
The key is to find the best location. Look for open water where the target species is known to feed, such as channel openings or drop-offs. Your spot should also be free from obstruction and easy for you to access. And, of course, don’t leave your line in places where swimmers or boaters may be passing through.
Trot-lining isn’t legal everywhere. Even where it is, there are designated times and places for it, along with other rules. So, be sure to do your due diligence.
Bottom Fishing
If you prefer sticking to the basics, fear not: there’s a Burbot out there with your name on it. When conditions are right (usually in summer), you don’t need much more than a baitcasting rod, some cut bait, and a sinker. Cast your line and allow the bait to rest on the bottom of a lake or stream until you feel a constant tug on the other end of your line. Since these fish like the cold, plan on targeting them fairly deep.
Burbot Fishing Gear & Bait
Due to the fighting power of these fish and their size, you should opt for medium to heavy tackle. You can rely on the same rod you would use when targeting Walleye or grab one that’s a bit longer and built to absorb the heavy shaking and rolling that Burbs are known for. A 7′ fast-action rod is a solid choice, along with 6–10 lb test line. When jigging, choose a stiffer rod to handle relatively large baits and lures.
Burbot aren’t picky and will bite a variety of lures and baits, including dead bait. Whatever you use, the general rule of thumb is that it should stink and/or glow.
Some of the best natural baits for Burbot fishing are live minnows, 3–5″ gold shiners, or cut bait such as sucker or chub. Where legal, you can also use cut panfish, perch, or trout. Frozen smelt and anchovies also do the trick. In parts of the world where anglers aren’t allowed to use bait fish, bacon, chicken, and hotdog pieces are known to work!
Jigs are among the most common lures for Burbot, whether you opt for bucktails, heavy jigging spoons, or soft plastics. Look for phosphorescent jigging spoons or modify any regular ones you have using vinyl jig paint or waterproof prism tape. When using artificials, it’s common to tip your hook with a bit of bait so the scent and wriggle of the fish draw Burbot in.
When fishing at night, be sure to bring flashlights, headlamps, or other lighting that will help you see your gear.
When to Fish for Burbot
While many freshwater fish spawn during the spring, Burbot are unique because they spawn in winter. Depending on the area, that usually falls between December and March.
During this time, Burbot move into the shallows and you can target them in as little as 8–10 feet of water. As nocturnal eaters, they feed closer to shore after dark, but you can catch them in deeper areas during the day. Nighttime is the best time to fish for them and, in waters shallow enough, you may even land some in the pitch black!
When their spawning season ends, Burbot return to the deepest and coldest parts of the lake where they remain relatively inactive. That said, you can experience good Burbot fishing in summer if you fish deep enough.
Burbot: Winter’s Best Kept Secret
Who knew there was such a treasure lurking below the ice? Burbot fishing may not take the nation by storm, but it’s certainly a good way to pass those cold, winter nights. For anglers who enjoy catching their own table fare, it’s a quality meal during nature’s roughest months.
So, get ready to love winter fishing. Before you know it, that first frost of the year will be enough to make you say “Brrrrr-bot!”
Are you an avid Burbot angler? Maybe you’ve been encouraged to try it out after reading. Either way, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
The post How to Go Burbot Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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