Ling cod, eelpout, lota, and lawyer—these are all names for one of the Ice Belt’s most misunderstood fish: the burbot. With an elongated body resembling a cross between a catfish, an eel, and a salamander, the burbot stands out. A dorsal fin extending almost to the tail and an anal fin mirroring it give the fish an eel-like appearance. The rounded tail makes it a powerful swimmer and a formidable fighter. A single, distinctive barbel on the chin helps the burbot navigate and locate prey. Coloration varies depending on water clarity, depth, and season, with patterns ranging from tan to dark brown, often with yellow blotches.
A Freshwater Cod with a Cold-Water Preference
The burbot is the only freshwater member of the cod family. Preferring cool waters, it becomes most active in winter. From late February to mid-March, these fish move onto humps or near shorelines to spawn beneath the ice. A single female can lay up to a million eggs, but many fall prey to perch and tullibees, reducing the overall success rate. Once spawning concludes, these fish become harder to locate, and as temperatures rise, they retreat to deeper, cooler waters. By summer, finding them in significant numbers becomes nearly impossible.
A Voracious Nocturnal Feeder
Burbot are opportunistic predators, consuming everything from invertebrates to small mammals. Their primary forage, however, consists of fish. Similar to walleye, they remain close to the lake bottom but will rise in the water column when hunting. Young perch, tullibees, crawfish, and various baitfish make up the bulk of their diet. Feeding activity peaks at night, with aggressive strikes that can surprise even seasoned anglers.
Structure is the Key to Success
Winter provides the best opportunity to target burbot. These fish can be caught anywhere from two feet to over sixty feet deep, with researchers documenting specimens as deep as 1,000 feet in the Great Lakes. However, depth alone is not the key—structure is.
During daylight hours, burbot gather around deep holes and flats with large concentrations of bait. After dark, they migrate to shallower bars, breaks, and humps near deep water. Steep breaks can be productive, with some nights favoring the deeper base and others producing more action near the top.
The Right Gear for the Job
Standard walleye setups work well for burbot. A 32- to 40-inch medium-power ice rod paired with a light-to-medium reel offers a balanced approach. An 8-pound-test monofilament line is sufficient, but many dedicated burbot anglers prefer braided line with a fluorocarbon leader.
Jigging baits such as the Clam Leech Flutter Spoon, Big Nasty Trout-N-Pout Spoon, or Pout Pounder Jig excel in attracting these fish, especially in glow colors. Adding a shiner minnow to each treble hook enhances the presentation, increasing the chances of success. The combination of vibration, weight, and scent makes these setups particularly effective.
Electronics Give an Edge
Modern electronics provide a significant advantage when targeting burbot. Although most fish remain near the bottom, some of the largest individuals suspend higher in the water column. Sonar units like the Vexilar FLX-28 reveal these suspended fish, offering opportunities that would otherwise be missed. Live imaging technology, such as Humminbird’s Mega Live, provides real-time insight into burbot behavior, helping anglers refine jigging techniques.
Aggressive Tactics Yield Results
Jigging aggressively often draws in multiple fish, triggering feeding flurries. Stirring up sediment by banging the bottom adds to the attraction. Once a fish appears on sonar, a slow lift with continuous movement often provokes a strike. Some fish hit when the bait taps the bottom, only revealing their presence once resistance is felt.
A Fish Worth Protecting
A healthy burbot population signifies a thriving fishery. As interest in targeting burbot increases, concerns about overharvest grow. In response, states like Minnesota have designated burbot as a game fish, implementing conservation measures.
Releasing burbot ensures sustainable populations for future anglers. However, those who choose to keep a few can enjoy one of the best-tasting freshwater fish, often referred to as “poor man’s lobster.” Whether releasing or keeping, every angler can appreciate this unique and formidable species.
Image/Source: in-fisherman
