Burbot in Alaska: The Winter Cod of the Tanana River

If you’re exploring Alaska’s rivers and lakes in search of unique fish, burbot are a species you won’t forget. Sometimes called poor man’s lobster for their delicately flavored white meat, burbot are fascinating, unusual fish that many Alaskans target through the winter ice, but to someone new to them, they might seem downright creepy.

What Is a Burbot?

Burbot are the only freshwater member of the cod family, in North America, and they look very different from the trout and salmon most anglers expect. They have:

• A long, slender body with mottled brown-gray coloration

• A single barbel (a whisker-like feeler) on their chin

• Extended dorsal and anal fins that run nearly to the tail

• A slick, slimy feel due to tiny embedded scales

Their odd appearance and bottom-dwelling habits can make them seem almost eerie compared to other fish. Holding one for the first time, especially when it’s slick and wiggly, often surprises newcomers.

Winter Spawning: An Alaska Specialty

One of the most unusual things about burbot is when they spawn. Unlike nearly every other freshwater fish in Alaska:

• Burbot spawn in late winter, usually February to March, under the ice.

• They are broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and milt into the water rather than building nests.

• Spawning burbot gather in groups, sometimes forming writhing balls of fish as they release eggs. something many anglers describe as strange or unsettling to witness.

The tiny eggs sink to the river or lake bottom and later hatch after several weeks. After spawning, the adults often remain deeper in the river or lake until the following season.

What Do Burbot Eat?

Burbot’s diet shifts as they grow:

• Young burbot feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

• Adults are primarily fish predators, feeding mostly at night. They’ll eat whitefish, sculpins, lampreys, and even other burbot.

• Occasionally they’ll scavenge or take unusual prey items like small rodents, adding to their reputation as odd and opportunistic feeders.

These nocturnal feeding habits mean they often ignore bait during the day and become active fighters after sunset, a trait that surprises many new anglers.

Burbot in the Tanana River Drainage

In the Interior of Alaska, the Tanana River drainage is one of the prime places to find burbot:

• This drainage supports some of the largest sport burbot fisheries in the state.

• Anglers commonly target them through the ice using set-lines with up to 15 hooks.

• The Tanana River burbot season often peaks in mid to late winter, coinciding with spawning activity.

The burbot fishery here is well known among Interior anglers, especially near Fairbanks, Nenana, and along sections of the main river channel.

Why They Might Seem Creepy

If you’re new to catching burbot, several things might give you a spine-tingling reaction:

• Their slimy skin and unusual shape can be off-putting, especially if you expected trout or salmon.

• Watching a group of spawning burbot writhing under the ice is unlike any spring salmon run, quiet, dark, and oddly visceral.

• They’re more active at night and in cold water, meaning your best fishing often happens in the dark during the depths of winter.

But for many Alaskans, that’s part of the charm: burbot offer a unique challenge and reward, from ice fishing through to the dinner table.

A Local Delicacy

Despite their looks, many Alaskans prize burbot for their excellent table quality. The firm, white meat is sometimes compared to lobster and can be prepared in a variety of ways, from frying to broiling.

Whether you’re targeting them during a cold February ice-fishing trip or simply want to understand more about this unusual fish, burbot are one of Alaska’s most intriguing freshwater species—both biologically and culturally.