Scientific name: Lota Lota
Burbot (common name used by most fisheries biologists)
Eelpout (common name used in the Upper Midwest)
Ling (common name used in the Rocky Mountain states)
Cusk (common name used in the NE)
DOGFISH ? ?
If your in the presence of a Burbot officianado (like me for instance),
don't ever mistake a burbot for a dogfish.
They are two completely different species.
Most notably
Burbot are
good eatin'Dogfish are
truly a
roughfishBURBOT
DOGFISH: known to fisheries biologists as BOWFIN
How to tell the difference1. Bowfin has that dot or "eye" on the tail (like a peac**k), Burbot don't
2. Burbot have that barbel (the one wisker hanging from the
bottom of the
chin), Bowfin don't
3. Bowfin have scales about like a crappie, Burbot are more like catfish (slimy with scales so small, they are almost indetectible)
4. Burbot have that V-shaped notch toward the front of their dorsal fin, Bowfin don't
5. Bowfin have teeth like a Northern Pike, Burbot have teeth like a bass
6. They are both good fighters, but Burbot are caught almost exclusively through the ice and Bowfins are caught almost exclusively in open water.
7. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Burbot have delicious white meat, Bowfin have vile green meat
