Species Guide
Burbot Fishing: Seasonal Patterns & Bite Windows
Burbot feed most actively in water between 39-55°F. Depth shifts with the season — anywhere from 5 ft to 70 ft deep depending on where they are in the yearly cycle. Burbot feed most actively at Night, when activity runs about 30% above the daily average across all four light windows.
See today's Burbot conditions →Natural history
How big do burbot get, and when do they spawn?
The cited facts behind the burbot — when they spawn, how big they run, what they eat, and how to tell them apart from look-alikes.
- Spawn
- January to March, when water reaches 33-40°F
- Typical size
- 16-28 in · 3-5 lb
- Trophy size
- 28-33 in · 8-19.6 lb
- Lifespan
- 10-15 yr
- Diet
- A night-hunting fish eater — small perch, walleye and other fish — plus crayfish, fish eggs, clams and mayfly larvae, especially when young.
- Habitat
- Deep, cold northern lakes and large rivers, on the bottom — among rock crevices or over deep mud flats. Nearly dormant in summer; most active under the ice.
- How to identify
- Long and eel-like with smooth skin, a single barbel under the chin, a short first dorsal fin and long second dorsal and anal fins running back to a rounded tail — a catfish or bullhead has several whiskers.
- Notable record
- Minnesota state record 19 lb 10 oz, 33 in, Lake of the Woods, caught through the ice (2016)
Seasonal patterns
What depth do burbot hold, season by season?
Burbot feed most consistently in water between 39-55°F. Depth below is where the fish typically hold at each stage of the year.
| Season | Depth |
|---|---|
| Pre-Spawn | 10-40 ft |
| Spawn | 15-45 ft |
| Post-Spawn | 20-55 ft |
| Summer | 30-70 ft |
| Fall | 15-50 ft |
| Winter | 5-40 ft |
Best times
When do burbot feed during the day?
Burbot feed most actively at Night, when activity runs about 30% above the daily average across all four light windows.
- Dawn1.30x
Boosts feeding activity by about 30%.
- Daytime0.50x
Suppresses feeding activity by about 50%.
- Dusk1.30x
Boosts feeding activity by about 30%.
- Night1.50x
Boosts feeding activity by about 50%.
Conditions
How do barometric pressure and wind affect the burbot bite?
How far the model moves a burbot score away from this fish's baseline for each pressure trend and wind band. These are modeled multipliers, not a measured feeding response — the evidence behind each input is graded below.
Barometric pressure
- Falling1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
- Stable1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
- Rising1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
Barometric pressure is graded "Contested" in every report we produce: The barometric effect is real to most anglers but small and contested in the literature — several of the species studies cited in this model report null results — so it carries one of the smallest weights here.
Wind
- Calm (0-5 mph)1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
- Light (5-10 mph)1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
- Moderate (10-20 mph)1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
- Strong (20+ mph)1.00x
- Modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline.
Wind is graded "Moderately supported" in every report we produce: Wind stacks forage on windward structure, but both the size and the direction of the effect depend on the species and the water, so it carries a modest weight.
Structure
What cover and structure do burbot prefer?
Burbot carry the heaviest modeled preference for rock & rubble. Each figure below is a 0-1 preference weight from this fish's own cited data, strongest first — not a measured catch rate.
- 01Rock & rubble
- 02Open sand & gravel
- 03Submerged wood
- 04Weed edges
FAQ
Common questions
What depth do burbot hold in pre-spawn?
In pre-spawn, burbot typically hold 10-40 ft deep.
What depth do burbot hold in spawn?
In spawn, burbot typically hold 15-45 ft deep.
What depth do burbot hold in post-spawn?
In post-spawn, burbot typically hold 20-55 ft deep.
What depth do burbot hold in summer?
In summer, burbot typically hold 30-70 ft deep.
What depth do burbot hold in fall?
In fall, burbot typically hold 15-50 ft deep.
What depth do burbot hold in winter?
In winter, burbot typically hold 5-40 ft deep.
What water temperature do burbot prefer?
Burbot are most active in water between 39-55°F.
What time of day are burbot most active?
Burbot feed most actively at Night, when activity runs about 30% above the daily average across all four light windows.
How does barometric pressure affect the burbot bite?
Falling pressure modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. Stable pressure modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. Rising pressure modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. These are modeled multipliers, not a measured feeding response. Barometric pressure is graded "Contested" in every report we produce: The barometric effect is real to most anglers but small and contested in the literature — several of the species studies cited in this model report null results — so it carries one of the smallest weights here.
How does wind affect burbot fishing?
Calm wind modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. Light wind modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. Moderate wind modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. Strong wind modeled flat — no change from this fish's baseline. These are modeled multipliers, not a measured feeding response. Wind is graded "Moderately supported" in every report we produce: Wind stacks forage on windward structure, but both the size and the direction of the effect depend on the species and the water, so it carries a modest weight.
When do burbot spawn?
Burbot spawn January to March, triggered when water temperatures reach 33-40°F. The exact weeks shift with latitude, but the temperature cue holds.
How big do burbot get?
A typical burbot runs 16-28 in · 3-5 lb; a trophy is 28-33 in · 8-19.6 lb. Notable record: Minnesota state record 19 lb 10 oz, 33 in, Lake of the Woods, caught through the ice (2016).
What do burbot eat?
A night-hunting fish eater — small perch, walleye and other fish — plus crayfish, fish eggs, clams and mayfly larvae, especially when young.