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Burbot

Burbot

Burbot in Iowa are extremely rare, endangered fish with a distinctive appearance - they look like a cross between a catfish and an eel with a slender, smooth-skinned body and a single large barbel (whisker) under the chin.

Physical Characteristics:
  • They have two dorsal fins, with the first being short (8-16 rays) and the second being long and low (61-81 rays).
  • Their scales are nearly invisible except on large adults.
  • These fish display dark olive or brown coloration with dark mottlings and pale-yellow bellies.
  • In Iowa, most burbot are considerably smaller than their maximum potential of 30+ inches and 12+ pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • uncommon in the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and have been collected mostly in northeast Iowa.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, northeast Iowa, particularly in the Turkey and Yellow Rivers and many small coldwater creeks including Sny Magill Creek and Buck Creek.

Specific Spots

  • They prefer deep, cold waters of lakes but may also inhabit mainstream areas of large rivers or smaller cold water tributaries.
  • These secretive fish hide among rock piles, submerged logs, bridge supports, and aquatic vegetation during the day, becoming active at night.

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