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Utah Field Guide: Burbot


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The burbot is an invasive species in Utah and not welcome in Utah waters. The only place in Utah where burbot are found in numbers is in Flaming Gorge.

Burbot spawn in the winter, typically under the ice. They are broadcast spawners, which means, females release their eggs into the water column and males simultaneously release milt. An individual female can produce over a million eggs.

Adult burbot prey almost exclusively on fish. In Flaming Gorge biologists have observed burbot eating all species of fish, including crayfish, kokanee, laketrout, smallmouth and other burbot. Burbot have had a negative impact on the fishery at Flaming Gorge and you'll have two opportunities to help reduce their numbers next month.

On January 22nd thru the 24th, Mountain America Credit Union is proud to sponsor the Burbot Bash. Biologists will tag burbot and anglers that catch those tagged fish can redeem them for big prizes and money. Register now on-line at burbotbash.com. The Burbot Bash will be followed by the Buckboard Classic Burbot Tournament January 29th thru the 31st. For more information, check out our outdoors page at KSL.com for past stories and links to register.

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Adam Eakle

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