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Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lota lota · also eelpout, ling, cusk
How to catch Burbot
Burbot feed in 33–58°F water and bite best at 34–45°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 9 waters.
15 pts · trophy at 28"Feeds 33–58°FBest 34–45°FOut of season nowLakeReservoirRiver
About
The only freshwater cod: a slimy, eel-tailed, chin-barbeled night fish that spawns in writhing balls under the ice in February. Ugly, and as good to eat as a lobster — 'poor man's lobster' on Lake of the Woods and Flaming Gorge.
How to fish it
After dark through the ice on the gravel and rock flats; a glow spoon pounded on the bottom with a piece of cisco or sucker.
What it eats
glow jigs tipped with cut baitdead minnows on the bottomset lines
Live bait for it
Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
Hook#2–3/0
Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
Braid10–30 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereRules differ by state — check your state's fish and wildlife agency before you keep one.
The current rule →Where it is, month by month
PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving
Fresh water by state