Burbot
Lota lota
The only freshwater cod: a cold-water bottom feeder that comes alive in winter.
Also known as: Estonian luts, Finnish made, Norwegian lake, Swedish lake.
- Typical size
- 30 to 55 cm
- A big one
- Over 70 cm and several kilos in the far north
- Where it lives
- Deep, cold lakes and large rivers
- Best time
- The cold season, especially around midwinter and under ice
- Common methods
- Bait fished hard on the bottom, often after dark
About the burbot
Burbot are the odd ones out, the only member of the cod family that lives entirely in fresh water. They spend the warm months deep and dormant, then turn active and hungry in the cold, spawning under the ice in the depths of winter. That makes them a true winter specialist and a real prize for anglers who fish the hard months.
Catching burbot
Fish after dark in the cold season with bait pinned to the bottom, burbot hunt by smell and feel along the bed. A fish strip, a worm bundle or a small dead bait all work. They pull surprisingly hard for a slow-looking fish, and they are one of the finest eating freshwater fish there is.
Before you fish: closed seasons, minimum sizes and catch limits differ by country and by water, and they change. Always check the current local rules and buy any licence you need before you go.
Log your burbot in FishandBeer
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