Norwegian record Burbot: 7 kg

About Burbot

The burbot (Lota lota) is the only freshwater member of the cod order. It has a long, rounded body that becomes flattened towards the tail, a broad flat head and a single chin barbel. Its rear dorsal fin and its anal fin are both long, stretching nearly to the tail. The skin is slimy with tiny scales, and the colour is yellowish brown to olive with dark marbling. In Norway it rarely exceeds 5 to 6 kg, although much larger fish are known elsewhere. Burbot live on the bottom of cold lakes and big rivers and are most active in darkness. They eat bottom animals and, when large, mostly fish. Spawning takes place in midwinter, often under the ice in shallow water. In Norway the species ranges from Østfold to Finnmark except Nordland. Ice fishing with bait on the bottom is popular. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Ferskvann
• Best month: Februar
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Burbot in FishComp

495 g (7 % of the record) by Dag Rune Kvittem. See the catch

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.