Ice fishing tips for catching Burbot

When to fish:

•  Burbot are typically most active at night.
• Fishing the first 2-3 hours following sunset and the couple hours before sunrise can be very productive periods.
• Anglers also talk about a productive bite in the middle of the night.
• Anglers also catch a few Burbot during the middle of the day in deep water.

Where to fish:

•  Fish within or immediately adjacent to rocky areas both on the main reservoir and within bays.
• The substrate may vary greatly, but fishing in or immediately adjacent to rocky substrates is always good!
•  Target the habitat adjacent to cliffs and rocky areas with a slope typically less than 60 degrees
•  The mouth of bays tucked within a large cliff complex can also be good.
•  The deep vertical habitat immediately in front of most cliffs tends to hold few Burbot.
•  A good bathometric map that shows the underwater contours of FGR is essential to identify promising areas that will hold Burbot (for example: Fish-n-Map Company available from local stores or online at www.fishnmap.com or use an app on your phone like Navionics).

Lures and bait:

•  Lures that glow are a must for Burbot.
•  Find lures in local tackle stores or by searching the web for “glow lures” or “lures that glow”.
•  Jigs with glow grub or tube bodies, wide hook gap, and in ¼-½ ounce sizes are recommended.
•  Jigging spoons that glow from ¼-½ ounce weight with stout treble hooks also work well.
•  Glowing lures that rattle and vibrate when jigged are both very productive.
•  Burbot are not lure or line shy. Use sufficient weight to get the lure down quickly.
•  Stout and sharp hooks and strong fishing line (8-12lb test) are a must.
•  It is critical to recharge glow lures every 15-20 minutes with flash lights, UV lights, or camera flashes.
•  Bait hooks with a strip of sucker or chub meat (skin on) that is 1 inch long and ½ inch wide. Sometimes sizing down your bait can pay large dividends while still having plenty of scent and flavor.

How to fish:

•  Auger 20-30 or more holes before wetting a line.
•  If you fish a hole for more than 15 minutes without a bite – try a different hole.
•  Remember on Flaming Gorge, you can fish up to 6 rods or tip-ups per angler through the ice.
•  Fish within a few inches of the bottom in 20 to 60 feet, these depths tend to be productive.
•  Jig at last one lure lightly, bouncing the lure on the bottom from time to time.
•  Check tip-ups every 20 minutes or so, Burbot frequently swallow lures without triggering the flag.
•  Hand jig tip-up lines for a few minutes every time you check them.
•  Don’t fish by other groups of people – noise and commotion can negatively impact the bite.

Other Tips:

•  Burbot move and forage in small schools. Take advantage of this.
•  You can catch a 2nd or 3rd fish quickly if you get your lure back down to the school quickly.