Burbot (Lota lota)

Description

Also known as freshwater cod and dogfish, this species is the only freshwater member of the cod family. It is widely distributed in the cold, deep waters of northern Saskatchewan. It is a slow moving fish that feeds mostly at night. Burbot ranges in weight from 910 g to over 25 kg. It has an eel-like appearance with one short and one long dorsal fin and a long ventral fin. The body is light brown becoming dark brown with a white belly. Darker brown to black spots and blotches cover most of the body, including the fins. The scales are small so the skin feels smooth. The moderate sized mouth is lined with small teeth. A small, single barbel is found on the chin.

Diet

The burbot feeds close to the bottom, primarily on other fish, like perch, lake whitefish, ciscoes, and minnows. Crayfish, aquatic insects and bottom organisms are also eaten.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs during the winter (primarily in January or February) in the deep channel area of lakes. Females are sexually mature at three years of age and may lay up to a million eggs in a single season. They are not nest builders and there is no parental care of the eggs during the incubation period (from winter to spring).

Habitat

Bottom dwellers, this species of fish can be found in most of the cold, deep lakes in northern and central Saskatchewan. Burbot are easily caught by anglers in late in the ice fishing season when they are spawning and for this reason have a species limit due to over-harvesting.