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Burbot Native

🔬 Lota lota

Michigan's only freshwater member of the cod family. Long, eel-like body with a single chin barbel and mottled brown-olive coloration. Strictly nocturnal and deep-dwelling. Spawns in late January under the ice in roiling masses -- one of the only Michigan fish that spawns mid-winter. Meat is white, firm, and mild -- often compared to lobster when prepared correctly. Growing rapidly in popularity as a target ice fishing species.

1-4 lbs, 14-24 inches
Typical size
18 lbs 4 oz
Michigan record
Winter
Best season
22
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 18 lbs 4 oz ·Curt Windiate ·Lake Michigan ·Oceana County ·1980 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Burbot

Jan
Excellent
Feb
Excellent
Mar
Good
Apr
Fair
May
None
Jun
None
Jul
None
Aug
None
Sep
Fair
Oct
Good
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Excellent

❄️ Burbot is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.

🛡 Burbot Conservation Status

Native Burbot is native to Michigan waters. Native Michigan species. Population healthy in deep northern lakes and the Great Lakes. Often called "lawyer" or "eelpout" by old-timers. Underrated table fish. The daily bag limit is 10.

🌿 Burbot Habitat & Behavior

Cold, deep lakes and large rivers. Found in all five Great Lakes and many cold northern Michigan inland lakes. Retreats to 100+ feet in summer and becomes more accessible in winter when it moves shallower to spawn. DNR records show Burbot present in 22 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov and Dec. Burbot is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.

🎣 Best Burbot Techniques

Large tube jigs, jigging spoons, and smelt or sucker meat fished on bottom through the ice at night. Best action after dark near river mouths and rocky lake structure. Tip-ups with live smelt are also

🪱 Best Burbot Baits

Minnows, night crawlers, jigging spoons, cut bait, smelt

📋 Burbot Fishing Regulations in Michigan

10
Daily limit
20
Possession limit
Year-round
Season

The only freshwater cod species. Best fishing in the coldest months — peak December through February under the ice. Deep, cold lakes and the Great Lakes.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Burbot in Michigan

Lake County Population
Barber Creek Allegan Good
Black Lake
10,130 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Brevoort Lake
4,179 acres
 Mackinac Good
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Carp River Marquette Good
Caseville Huron Good
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
 Benzie Good
Douglas Lake
3,400 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Glen Lake
4,944 acres
 Leelanau Good
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
 Roscommon Good
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
 Schoolcraft Good
Intermediate Lake
682 acres
 Antrim Good
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
 Gogebic Good
Lake Michigamme
4,149 acres
 Marquette Good
Mullett Lake
16,630 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Muskallonge Lake
768 acres
 Luce Good
Pickerel Lake
830 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Pickerel Lake
840 acres
 Newaygo Good
Port Austin Huron Good
Tawas Bay Iosco Good
Most valuable for Burbot anglers
See where Burbot will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 22 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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📋 Quick Burbot Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Burbot

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