Burbot – Canada’s Freshwater Cod

The burbot (Lota lota), also known as ling, eel pout, or freshwater cod, is Canada’s only freshwater member of the cod family (Gadidae). With a long, eel-like body, single chin barbel, and mottled olive-and-brown skin, burbot are instantly recognizable—and often misunderstood. Despite their odd looks, burbot are prized for their flaky white flesh (often called “poor man’s lobster”) and their aggressive winter feeding habits, making them a hidden gem among Canadian ice anglers.

Biology & Identification

Family: Gadidae (cod family)
Appearance: Elongated, slimy body with soft fins and mottled coloration; single barbel under the chin
Size: Typically 1–3 kg (2–7 lbs), but can exceed 8 kg (18 lbs) in large, deep lakes
Spawning: Unique among freshwater fish, burbot spawn in mid to late winter, often under ice, in large groups over sand or gravel bottoms

Unlike most freshwater species, burbot are most active during winter and at night, favouring deep, cold, oxygen-rich lakes and rivers. They feed on other fish (like whitefish and perch), invertebrates, and occasionally even their own young.

Fishing Techniques

Burbot are prime targets for winter ice anglers, especially in northern lakes. Although they can be caught year-round, success is highest in late winter, during and after spawning.

Best methods include:

Ice fishing: Jigging spoons, glow jigs, and bait rigs tipped with cut bait (smelt, herring) or minnows near the lake bottom
Set lines / Tip-ups: Effective for overnight fishing—rigged just off the bottom with strong-smelling bait
Night fishing: Burbot are nocturnal feeders and respond well to scented presentations in darkness

In open water seasons, trolling or bottom bouncing near deep structure can be effective, but is less common due to their deep and nocturnal habits.

Regional Overview

Ontario

Common in Lake Nipigon, Lake Superior, and northern inland lakes
Strong populations in deep lakes and large rivers, particularly in the northwest
A popular ice fishing target in Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul, and Georgian Bay

Manitoba & Saskatchewan

Found throughout the Canadian Shield lakes and Prairie reservoirs
Ice fishing hot spots include Lake Winnipeg, Cedar Lake, and Last Mountain Lake
Often caught incidentally while targeting walleye or lake trout

Alberta

Present in cold reservoirs and rivers, including Lake Athabasca, Lesser Slave Lake, and the Bow River
Increasing angling interest due to winter activity and high meat quality

British Columbia

Found in large lakes such as Kootenay Lake, Williston Lake, and Okanagan Lake
Mostly nocturnal and deep-dwelling—best caught at night or through ice

Quebec

Found in St. Lawrence River, Lac St-Jean, Gouin Reservoir, and remote boreal lakes
Known locally as lotte and targeted in winter fisheries for their excellent eating quality

Atlantic Canada & Northern Territories

Common in Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories
Burbot thrive in deep, cold lakes and rivers across the Subarctic and Boreal regions
Culturally important in some Indigenous communities and valued for subsistence fishing

Culinary & Cultural Notes

Meat: White, flaky, and mild—often likened to lobster or cod
Preparation: Popular fried, baked, or boiled; burbot liver is considered a delicacy due to its richness in vitamin D
Cultural uses: Used in traditional dishes by Indigenous communities in the North

Conservation & Management

Status: Stable across most of Canada, though often underutilized or overlooked
Management: Included in general fish limits in many provinces; some regions have specific burbot regulations
Habitat threats: Sensitive to oxygen depletion, climate warming, and invasive species like zebra mussels, which disrupt lake food webs

Canada’s Winter Warrior

While burbot may lack the glamour of trout or bass, they offer a unique and rewarding fishing experience, especially during the ice fishing season. Their hard-fighting nature, winter accessibility, and top-tier table quality make burbot a true underdog of Canadian sport fishing.