Burbot

Live or cut baitfish including smelt, shiners, suckers, chub, or frozen smelt - burbot are attracted to scent, so fresh bait is crucial. Some successful anglers use clear mesh bags filled with chopped frozen smelt as an effective presentation.

The prime season for burbot fishing in Vermont is during ice-covered months from December through March when they're most active, though avoid fishing during their spawning period (December-April) when they form breeding aggregations.

When jigging actively, be aggressive with jigging - pound the bottom to create noise and stir up sediment, then lift the bait several feet off bottom and pause, as strikes often occur during these pauses between erratic movements. Keep baits near the substrate as burbot feed close to bottom.

Diet changes with age - young fish feed on aquatic insects, crayfish, and mollusks, while adults primarily consume other fish including smelt, yellow perch, alewife, sticklebacks, sculpin, and various minnow species, supplemented by invertebrates and fish e.g.gs.

Fish found in streams and lakes across the state, though the largest specimens inhabit lakes where they can reach impressive sizes. They prefer deep, cold lakes and medium to large cool rivers with varied substrates.