Burbot...or bust.

[Iceassin]

Had Burbot for the first time this past weekend. Excellent tasting. Now I want more. So...for you guys that jig 'em through the ice, some intel please. I've read where Crystal, Torch and Burt hold them. Info on those 3? Any others in the L.P. worth knowing about?

[Fish Killa]

Crystal, Torch, Elk, Lake Charlevoix, Grand Traverse Bay all hold burbot but are late freezers so planning ahead is difficult. Burt has a few day window in Feb. where they slam them in the spawning flats.

[Wgorby]

I've done very well for them on Torch thru the ice.  But Torch does not freeze every year...last time it froze was 3 years ago.  Some jig that glows with a wad of minnows on it, dusk thru the night bite window. Usually in early March.

[Doeslayer]

Im with you..... I wanna catch a burbot... And i wanna catch a whitefish.... Both are excellent tablefare..... Both are deepwater fish so it makes it difficult

[meandcuznalfy]

Burbs will come shallow to feed at night.

[Iceassin]

Im with you..... I wanna catch a burbot... And i wanna catch a whitefish.... Both are excellent tablefare..... Both are deepwater fish so it makes it difficult

We have Gull Lake over here on the SW side that would fit the bill. Deepest spot is like 110'. Holds a few Lakers. Be nice to see them plant some Burbot. I suspect though, it is a popular Smelt fishing lake and probably fearful of the Burbot eating them up like the Salmon did a few years back. Dunno.

[Rebelss]

I'd really like to eat a few. In all my years fishing all over, I've never even hooked one! 

[Iceassin]

I'd really like to eat a few. In all my years fishing all over, I've never even hooked one! 

Me either Reb. Watched some videos and know a couple guys who have caught them. Lotsa' fun I guess. But I did eat some. Real tasty.

[zcm_82]

I'd really like to eat a few. In all my years fishing all over, I've never even hooked one! 

I've only ever caught a couple myself, accidentally on minnows while fishing perch in shallow water.

Don't have them around here, so it's unlikely I'll ever catch another.

[Rebelss]

Well, we do have the huge Eelpout Fest here up in Walker, Minnesota.....or I should say eelpout zoo week. It's an insane fun time! Lotsa 'pout to be caught up there! 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/eelpoutfestival/photos/?ref=page_internal

[zcm_82]

Well, we do have the huge Eelpout Fest here up in Walker, Minnesota.....or I should say eelpout zoo week. It's an insane fun time! Lotsa 'pout to be caught up there! 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/eelpoutfestival/photos/?ref=page_internal

I thought they quit doing it because of all the mess?

We went a couple times when I was a kid, it was a circus then, and that was clear back in the 80s.

[Rebelss]

I thought they quit doing it because of all the mess?

We went a couple times when I was a kid, it was a circus then, and that was clear back in the 80s.

Yup, they did....and DNR said enough is enough. Now they're saying it will be back, watch for date.
I really have my doubts. Thanks to all the drunken slobs that left the place a disaster area, I can't foresee it ever happening again. Leave out the booze and idjits, and it mighta had a chance. But those things seem to go hand in hand. 

[Uncle Al]

Caseville has a good amount of burbot action before the ice forms on the river.

[jdgambler]

ya right now in caseville

[jdgambler]

East grand traverse bay is one of the best spots if it freezes.

[DaveSS1]

Jig like you would for walleye however but adjust size to depth of water.  1/2-1 ounce jigging spoons with minnow head or you could use smelt or dead smelt on the bottom of a tip up.  They are not picky fish its just a matter of finding them.   I have caught them in Grand Traverse Bay, Saginaw Bay and Crystal but later in the season March and even April.