DESCRIPTION
-
With an elongate body, this species averages
a length of 15 inches. The colouring ranges
from a yellow, light brown or tan with
a lacelike pattern of dark brown or black.
At times adults may be dark brown or black.
DISTRIBUTION
- This species is distributed throughout
the freshwaters of North America and continental
Eurasia. It is absent from Nova Scotia
and the Atlantic islands in Canada.
BIOLOGY
- The burbot spawns in mid winter under
the ice. The actual spawning activity
is said to take place in a writhing ball
about 2 feet in diameter made up of 10-12
individuals. Maximum age is between 10-15
years. They feed almost exclusively on
other fish.
RELATION
TO MAN - Although the flesh of this
fish is delicious and nutritious it is
regarded as a coarse fish and not widely
sought after by sport fishermen.