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Burbot (also called ling or mariah) are Canada's only freshwater cod — a weird, eel-like fish that's active in cold water when other fish are sluggish. They're underrated and delicious, with firm whit...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / D. R. Muse
Burbot (also called ling or mariah) are Canada's only freshwater cod — a weird, eel-like fish that's active in cold water when other fish are sluggish. They're underrated and delicious, with firm white flesh. Ice fishing is prime burbot time.
Elongated, eel-like body with smooth, slimy skin (no noticeable scales). Mottled olive-brown to yellow coloration. Barbel (single whisker) on the chin. Two dorsal fins — the first short and tall, the second very long, running to the tail. Long anal fin. Rounded tail.
Burbot prefer cold water (4–12°C) in deep lakes and large rivers. They're bottom-dwelling, nocturnal predators that hide in deep holes and rocky structure during the day and emerge at night to feed. They're most active in winter, making them a prime ice-fishing target.
Burbot can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: Alberta · Manitoba · Saskatchewan.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching Burbot. Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🧊 Ice fishing (prime time) | Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads, dead bait (minnow, sucker) on bottom | Burbot are most active in winter. Aggressive jigging near bottom in 15–40 ft, especially at night. |
| 🌙 Night | Dead bait (minnow, cut bait) on the bottom, glow-in-the-dark jigs | Burbot are nocturnal. Set tip-ups or dead lines with bait on the bottom overnight. |
| ☀️ Day / Summer | Deep jigging spoons, live bait on the bottom in deep holes | Burbot are deep and sluggish in summer. Fish deep holes (30+ ft) during the day. |
| 🌸 Spring (spawning) | Jigging spoons, dead bait on bottom near spawning shallows | Burbot spawn in shallow water under the ice in late winter. Fish near spawning areas. |
| 🌬️ Cold front | Dead bait on the bottom — scent is key | Burbot feed by smell in cold water. Fresh cut bait or minnows on the bottom outfish lures. |
Burbot are primarily a winter species — ice fishing (January–March) is peak. Summer fishing is possible but requires fishing deep (30+ ft) during the day or at night. They spawn under the ice in late winter (February–March).
Get a 7-day Burbot bite forecast, offline regulations for every province, and AI-powered fishing advice — all in one app. Free for the 2026 season.