Burbot - Lota lota

The burbot is a long, dark brown, slimy codfish. It is very strong and can grow to well over 5 kilograms and wriggle like an eel. The burbot is a cold water fish and spawns in winter.

Fishing method: The most common is to try to catch the burbot from the ice. Equip yourself with a strong ice fishing rod or ice cutter with a coarse nylon line and leader. Make a large hole, at least 150 mm, so that you can coax the wriggling fish through the hole. Set on a rattling shiner, jig, large jig head or other type of weight. Bait the hook with a piece of fish or shrimp. Then pound the bait into the bottom to attract the interest of the lake. The scent of the bait should then attract the bite. If the water is open, bottom baiting with roach can be an alternative.

When and where: The classic ice fishing for burbot takes place in the evenings, between December and February, from dusk and throughout the dark hours of the day. Take the family or a friend out on the ice, light a fire, look at the stars and catch the meandering hunters of the dark. Gravel bars or other rocky areas adjacent to deep edges and narrow passages can be good fishing spots as they gather there to spawn and forage.