Mack Attack Magazine

By Eric Magnuson  

If you're an angler who's not afraid of the cold and are looking for an adventure this winter, how about ice fishing burbot?

One fish that has been gaining attention is the Burbot (Lota Lota), sometimes called "Poor Man's Lobster" for its tasty meat. Known for its elusive nature and ability to thrive in icy waters, Burbot has become a sought-after target among winter anglers. When luring these bottom dwellers, I prefer using a large spoon such as the Sonic Bait Fish, which has been a highly effective approach.

Here's a quick rundown on what you need to know to tackle a Burbot on the Sonic Bait Fish. 

Understanding The Burbot, and their habitat is key to understanding their behavior. Burbot are the only freshwater cod species in North America and thrive in deep cold lakes in our region. Burbot are bottom feeders, spending most of the time stuck directly to the mud, and sometimes the shallow rocky beds. They hunt at night for small fish, such as Chubs, and Kokanee, and they love crawfish.

PRO TIP:  Burbot is notoriously active from dusk til dawn, typically following the crawfish from the deep to shallows throughout the night, making those the best time to target them.