Burbot fishing?

[Parasite]

When does the burbot fishing get going good this time of year? I want to take my boat out for them and this will be my first time targeting them. Haven't decided what lake yet, but will probably be the closest one I can find. Any bait to use in particular? I plan on jigging.

[Jake Dogfish]

It should be good now.
Their is plenty of them in kachess and keechelus if someone was brave enough to fish them in winter.

[Parasite]

It should be good now.
Their is plenty of them in kachess and keechelus if someone was brave enough to fish them in winter.

Never fished those bodies of water so what do you mean by brave enough?

[Jake Dogfish]

They are up on the pass.  I haven’t heard of anyone trying them this time year.
Used to catch a lot of burbot in the summer back when set lines were allowed.

[CP]

It should be good now.
Their is plenty of them in kachess and keechelus if someone was brave enough to fish them in winter.

Never fished those bodies of water so what do you mean by brave enough?

You won't be able to launch at either of these lakes until early summer.

[Ridgeratt]

I have heard that they fish for them around hunters and kettle falls.

[Seabass]

I have accidentally caught them in Roosevelt around 2 River’s as well as Banks lake.

[jakeweb]

A buddy and I went last winter in lake kachess. We had to drag our boat down to the water through the snow maybe 1/4 mile and then had to go back for the motor and carry it down. We went at probably 10pm because they’re more active at night and used glow in the dark jigs. It snowed pretty hard all night and the fishing was slow but we caught 2. They’re delicious and it was a pretty cool experience! I’d probably go again, but that probably means either I’m not the smartest of folk or I just live suffering.

[ctwiggs1]

Never caught a burbot, do they taste as good as the legends declare?

[Lady Grouse hunter]

Banks Lake has Burbots!go to the Coulee City Grocer, get some Chicken Liver's Launch at the City Park just across SR hwy 2 Launch, head for Dry Falls Damn Soak it to 20' Good LUCK!! Just report here!

[rasbo]

Rosie has a lot of burbot,jig or bottom bounce slow with worm or chunk of perch.

[lokidog]

I've wanted to try this, so following along. 

[C-Money]

I've never got one, but the walleye fleet seems to pick up quite a few in the late winter early spring out at Barker Flats...

[CP]

Never caught a burbot, do they taste as good as the legends declare?

No.  I'd rather have a Walleye.

[D-Rock425]

Following along myself.

[Machias]

There is some really good Youtube videos on the subject that I have been watching the past couple of days.  Looks like really bouncing a heavy jig, tipped with cut bait, off the bottom is the trick.  Everything I have read and watched says it really gets good from mid Feb through the middle of March, but you can catch them all year.  As soon as my Ice Auger comes in I'll be heading to Bonner Lake up near Bonners Ferry, ID to give them a go.  Also sounds like in the rivers it is best to fish for them at night.

[pickardjw]

Yep, just search "burbot washington" on youtube and several videos come up. I know because I've watched them all 

I had lakers and burbot on my "first ever" list last year and failed. Hoping to put a better effort at it this year before it warms up too much.

[Parasite]

Yep, just search "burbot washington" on youtube and several videos come up. I know because I've watched them all 

I had lakers and burbot on my "first ever" list last year and failed. Hoping to put a better effort at it this year before it warms up too much.

I think I might go after burbot on March 5th. Just need to pick a lake and find someone to tag along with me. I think I've got everything else.

[Ghost Hunter]

Years ago, when setlines were legal, we fished Palmer.  Put out setlines and also use heavy jigs that made noise.  Good times.  Palmer held the state record at one time.

[Lady Grouse hunter]

Stupid

[Fletch]

We put out set lines religiously in Chelan in the late 70's and 80's.  Was always best in the march-may time line.  We never jigged back then but I understand its fairly common in Chelan now.  I also have an acquaintance that has caught them in Potholes reservoir jigging.  I wouldnt mind giving it a go again.                 
They are some tasty eating.

[Parasite]

Stupid

We need a "special fourm" for you and cryder

[NRA4LIFE]

Anybody ever heard them called "lawyers"?  That's what my grandpa called them when we caught them on Lake Winnebago in WI while walleye/sauger fishing through the ice.  He'd chop them up with the ice axe, we never ate one.  I'm pretty sure they were burbot.

[Parasite]

Anybody ever heard them called "lawyers"?  That's what my grandpa called them when we caught them on Lake Winnebago in WI while walleye/sauger fishing through the ice.  He'd chop them up with the ice axe, we never ate one.  I'm pretty sure they were burbot.

Yep ... lawyers ... eelpout ... lota lota ... burbot  ... all the same fish.

[MtnMuley]

Years ago, when setlines were legal, we fished Palmer.  Put out setlines and also use heavy jigs that made noise.  Good times.  Palmer held the state record at one time.

I ran many set lines on Palmer back in the day and much of the time drove my truck out to set em. Now days if you can even get ice up there (been several years since good ice), catching a single burbot should produce an award. Night jigging the best burbots spots up there with basically no success is all I see and hear about these days.

[pickardjw]

I put nav lights on my boat a few months back specifically so I can night jig for burbot come spring. Any tips on that? I assume glow heads / plastics and cut bait?

[deerhuntr4885]

Yep, just search "burbot washington" on youtube and several videos come up. I know because I've watched them all 

I had lakers and burbot on my "first ever" list last year and failed. Hoping to put a better effort at it this year before it warms up too much.

I think I might go after burbot on March 5th. Just need to pick a lake and find someone to tag along with me. I think I've got everything else.

I’m your Huckleberry!   I would like to try this fish as well. Just started fishing again and do not have boat (yet). If you need a fishing partner let me know.  I just retired and have a lot of time on my hands.

[metlhead]

Retired, and no boat? Good golly, what has this world come too. Now ya got a mission to occupy time!

[WapitiTalk1]

When does the burbot fishing get going good this time of year? I want to take my boat out for them and this will be my first time targeting them. Haven't decided what lake yet, but will probably be the closest one I can find. Any bait to use in particular? I plan on jigging.

Yep, some of the rivers and lakes in N ID and NW MT have freshwater ling (fun to catch, delectable to eat) but if you really want to get down on some pig ling, check out kootenai lake just above the border.

[Ridgeratt]

Had to go the Kettle Falls this morning saw 2 boats fishing singer's flat. Could be either Wally's or Lings or both.

[Machias]

I put nav lights on my boat a few months back specifically so I can night jig for burbot come spring. Any tips on that? I assume glow heads / plastics and cut bait?

Specifically made for burbot fishing.

https://www.bignastytackle.com/

[rasbo]

Any jig that will get you on the bottom, tipped with perch or worm. I catch them in the daytime bottom bouncing every time out.40 to 50 ft seems to be the depth they like where I fish

[Parasite]

Well I think I am going to hit Banks Lake March 6th or 7th. Back-up will be the Spokane arm of Roosevelt Lake.

Is it hard to find nightcrawlers this time of year? Or should I find another bait to use?

Any other good tips for this lake?

[metlhead]

Flashlight after a good rain. Any lawn will do.

[Parasite]

Flashlight after a good rain. Any lawn will do.

Isn't it a little early in the year for that method?

[Ridgeratt]

Flashlight after a good rain. Any lawn will do.

Isn't it a little early in the year for that method?

With the ground cover they are called "Snow Snakes"   

Well I think I am going to hit Banks Lake March 6th or 7th. Back-up will be the Spokane arm of Roosevelt Lake.

Is it hard to find nightcrawlers this time of year? Or should I find another bait to use?

Any other good tips for this lake?

You can find them at North 40 or Walmart.

[KFhunter]

They also carry glow jigs, skirts and glow smelly jelly