Codfishes were once such an important source of food for people that they were called the "cows of the sea." Because they have been overfished, codfishes in the North Atlantic are now protected by strict laws. Most species live in salt water, many in very deep parts of the ocean. They have moderately elongate and compressed bodies. The Burbot is a codfish that lives in fresh water. Unlike most fresh water fishes, it spawns on winter nights under the ice in shallow waters, where it leaves its eggs unguarded on clean sand, gravel, or rock bottoms.

Look For: An elongate codfish with 2 dorsal fins, the first short and the second very long. Rounded tail, long chin barbel. No fin spines.


Length: 3'.

Habitat: Lakes, streams.

Range: Most of Canada and Alaska south to Ohio and Missouri River drainages.