Burbot
Scientific Name: Lota lota
"Lota" is an ancient name for burbot, a cod relative.
Burbot is the only member of the cod family that is entirely found in freshwater. It is common in the colder parts of lakes, rivers and streams in areas of the northern hemisphere surrounding the pole. Its large size and high-quality flesh has made burbot a favourite sport fish, especially during winter months. The rich, oily liver has been used as lamp oil and for medicinal purposes due to its high vitamin A and D contents. The burbot's diet consists chiefly of fish and aquatic insect larvae, and it is thought to prey heavily on whitefish eggs during certain parts of the year.
Description
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| Burbot. Credit: NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory |
- Long and snake-like.
- Small head.
- Single chin barbel.
- Caudal fin rounded.
- Pelvic fins in front of pectoral fins. This is unusual.
Similar To
- bowfin
Key Identifying Features
- Chin barbel.
- Divided dorsal fin.
- Pelvic fin placement.
Size
- Average length in Ontario: to 38 cm (15 in.).
- Average weight: 3-5 lb (Canadian maximum is 18.5 lb).
- Ontario record: weight – 6.40kg (14.12 lb.), length – 95.25 cm (37.50”); Jesse Lake 2003
Distribution and Habitat
- One of Canada’s most widely distributed fish, common across the country and the northern part of the U.S. Also found within much of the northern part of the remaining Northern Hemisphere.
- Common in the colder parts of lakes, rivers and streams, usually in deeper water (hypolimnion) along with lake trout and lake whitefish
- In deeper waters as warming occurs, and shallower waters in cooler months or more northern latitudes.
- Often dwell on lake and river bottoms, preferring cover such as roots, trees, rocks, and dense vegetation.
- Optimum temperature 15.6- 18.3 C (60-65 F)
Food
- Juveniles: immature aquatic insects, crayfish, molluscs and other invertebrates; few fish.
- Adults: almost exclusively on fish, e.g. ciscoes (and their eggs), yellow perch, smelt, sculpins, freshwater drum; opportunistic.
- A voracious night feeder.
Predators
- Smelt, yellow perch, other fishes on juveniles; northern pike on adults.
- Sea lamprey as parasites.
- Humans.
Reproduction
- Spawn in mid-winter (Jan.-March), under the ice.
- Move into shallow waters of tributary rivers, or shallow bays.
- Eggs and sperm are deposited more or less randomly over sand or gravel bottom or gravel shoals.
- Spawning occurs at night in a “writhing ball” about 2 ft. in diameter.
- No parental care.
- Eggs hatch in about a month.
Management Tips
- Fish is palatable and nutritious, yet considered 'rough' and not actively sought by most anglers; can tolerate increased fishing pressure.
- Encourage fishing to reduce pressure on other sport fish.
- Protect habitat and habitat quality.
- Help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels, sea lamprey, rainbow smelt, alewife, and round goby by never releasing live-bait and making sure your boats are rinsed and dried well away from water bodies and sewers before entering another water body.
- Stocking of non-native species should be subject to careful consideration.
- River blockages should be discouraged where spawning runs are known to occur.
- Use "best management practices" with respect to urban and rural development, agriculture, forestry, and other industry.
- Ensure that septic systems are working properly.
- Reduce hard surfaces such as concrete near water bodies which results in higher water run-off temperatures.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, which contributes to increased water temperatures.
- Respect recreational and commercial fishing regulations.
