FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR — Snow hasn't fallen much in the Flaming Gorge area, but the reservoir still boasts over 20 miles of fishable ice. That means anglers will find ample room at the lake for the annual Burbot Bash ice fishing tournament taking place Jan. 26-28.

The Burbot Bash is hosted by the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Wyoming Game and Fish Department each year to help reduce the burbot population in the lake.

Burbot — commonly referred to as lingcod — is an invasive species that's not native to the Green River drainage. According to information from the official Burbot Bash website, these mean critters feed mostly at night.

Their diet consists of kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass and lake and rainbow trout fry (baby fish) and eggs. With the burbot population exploding, their predation is devastating the world-renowned fishing at Flaming Gorge.

Save trout and salmon, kill burbot

Trout and salmon populations in Flaming Gorge have been hit hard by the presence of burbot. The Burbot Bash is one of the most effective tools fishery managers can use to eliminate the invasive predator.

"Angler harvest is currently the most effective tool available to reduce burbot numbers in the (Green River) drainage," Robert Keith, Regional Fisheries supervisor for Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said in an emailed statement. "The Burbot Bash is a terrific opportunity to drive that message home, increase public interest in burbot fishing and remove a lot of burbot. Since 2011, about 21,000 burbot have been removed by anglers participating in the Bash. Every burbot removed is a savings in sport fish like smallmouth bass, kokanee and rainbow trout."

Win cash and prizes for burbot

The Burbot Bash is a great opportunity for anglers — experts and newcomers alike — to win cash and prizes for whatever burbot they pull through the ice. This year, over $20,000 in cash and prizes is available.

During the 2017 tournament, anglers received $100, in addition to any other prizes they won. Prizes are won by catching the most fish and the biggest, but a unique part of this ice fishing tournament is the opportunity to catch tagged burbot.

“Tagged fish contests are great because they level the playing field,” said Ryan Mosley, Division of Wildlife Resources Flaming Gorge Project Manager. "One angler can catch a single burbot and potentially take home more money than those who check in hundreds.”

Registration, gear and fishing tips

You can register for the Burbot Bash on the website. Adults pay $40 per person, while children are $10 each. You can compete as an individual or as a team, and registration is open until 8 p.m. on Jan. 26.

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Catch unlimited fish, win prizes at annual Burbot Bash

The annual fishing tournament known for helping get rid of invasive burbot in Flaming Gorge Reservoir will begin Friday, and officials are hoping anglers will come take advantage of the unlimited fishing and chance to win cash.

You don't need any special ice fishing gear to catch burbot, but an auger, tent, heater and chairs are must-haves. Even with the warmer-than-average winter, nighttime temps at Flaming Gorge stay pretty frigid.

Glow-in-the-dark lures are the most effective for burbot. Jigging them in tandem with spoons or other lures that make a lot of noise in the water is a surefire way to put burbot on the ice.

Catch lake trout and keep pups

In addition to the large burbot population, the lake trout in Flaming Gorge Reservoir are increasing in numbers drastically.

According to Mosely, the lake trout are too successful at reproducing in the lake. This creates an abundance of smaller lake trout, referred to as pups, and fewer trophy fish.

That's led to both the Division of Wildlife Resources and Wyoming Game and Fish Department raising the limit on lake trout. Anglers can keep eight lake trout under 28 inches and one over. The hope with that limit, according to Mosley, is to manage the lake trout population for larger, trophy-sized fish.

The good news is that pup lake trout are great table fare. They have a more mild flavor than rainbow trout, but not quite as rich as salmon. Some of the methods used for catching burbot will result in some lake trout on your line, so be prepared to eat a variety of fish following the Burbot Bash.

Lake trout are also one of the most prized game fish in North America. This video below, courtesy of the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce, gives a glimpse of how much fun lake trout are.

Whether you're an avid angler, or want to take the family out for a great trip ice fishing in one of the most scenic reservoirs in the country, the Burbot Bash is an event that has something for everyone.

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