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Burbot

Burbot

Burbot are Montana's only freshwater cod species and are native to the Kootenai, Missouri, and Saskatchewan drainages.

These distinctive fish are easily recognized by their single chin barbel, elongated eel-like body, and smooth appearance (though tiny embedded scales are present).

Scientific Name: Lota lota

Also known as ling

Physical Characteristics:
  • These distinctive fish are easily recognized by their single chin barbel, elongated eel-like body, and smooth appearance (though tiny embedded scales are present).
  • They're marked by cream or pale green coloration with dark brown or olive green mottling, providing excellent camouflage against river and lake bottoms.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit large rivers and cold, deep lakes and reservoirs throughout Montana.

Key Locations

  • They inhabit large rivers and cold, deep lakes and reservoirs throughout Montana, including the Missouri River (from Holter Dam downstream), Big Hole River, Beaverhead, Ruby, Madison, Yellowstone, Milk, Poplar, Bighorn, lower Clark Fork, and lower North Fork Flathead rivers.
  • Key reservoirs include Hauser, Helena Valley, Holter, Clark Canyon, Canyon Ferry, Newlan Creek, Fort Peck, North Fork Smith River, Lake Frances, and Tiber reservoirs.
  • Popular winter locations include the Missouri River system, Newlan Creek Reservoir, Fort Peck Reservoir, and Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow flats 5-15 feet deep at dusk or during night hours, especially near tributary mouths and creek confluences.
  • During daylight, focus on deep holes and structures.

Burbot FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Burbot in Montana?

Effective lures include glow-in-the-dark jigging spoons (especially phosphorescent patterns), heavy bucktail jigs, blade baits, and jigs tipped with cut bait. Moonshine Lures casting spoons and Big Nasty Tackle Trout-N-Pout spoons are particularly effective.

When is the best time to fish for Burbot in Montana?

Winter is prime time for burbot fishing in Montana, particularly from December through March when they're most active and feeding heavily before and after spawning. Spring and fall can also be productive as fish move between deep and shallow water.

How do you catch Burbot in Montana?

The key technique is bottom-bouncing: pound your lure on the bottom to stir up sediment and create noise, then lift 6-12 inches off bottom and dance the bait. Burbot often hit during the fall back to bottom. When ice fishing, use tip-ups or aggressive jigging with glow lures.

What do Burbot eat?

Burbot are voracious predators and opportunistic feeders - young fish consume aquatic invertebrates while adults are highly piscivorous, preying on lamprey, whitefish, grayling, young northern pike, suckers, stickleback, trout, and perch.

Where do Burbot live in Montana?

They inhabit large rivers and cold, deep lakes and reservoirs throughout Montana.

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