Burbot Through The Ice

[The Great White Hype]

I have yet to catch a burbot through the ice, and the last time i ever caught one was at least 10 years ago. I am wondering which bodies of water would be best to go in search of these, and what the best tactic is. I understand that fishing at night will greatly increase my chances, how much truth is there to that?

If possible I am also looking to get some decent perch as well, and suggestions for a place that would hold the best chance of getting both. Looking to stay with 2.5 hours of Calgary.

[Flieguy]

Can't help you with perch.

But as for Burbs, Pine coulee reservoir, and crawling valley are the typical places to look around calgary. I have only fished PCR myself (read the regs carefully, and there is a mercury warning but i still eat them), and have always caught them there. Just as it gets real dark, sit a smelt or berkley Gulp! minnow right on (within 3") of bottom. try different depths but 15+ feet is a good start. make sure your rods are secure or you may lose them. good luck!

[hockey1099]

I have caught both at gull in the same spot within 30minutes of each other.

[TROLLER]

PCR from sunset onwards will give you plenty of action. the burbs are still growing and you can only expect 3 -4 pounders. The burbot are not listed in the regs for Pine Coulee so you have to follow normal regs which is 10 daily.

Crawling Valley will give you much larger burbot up to 15 pounds. Same deal they start to bite quite nicely right at sunset and on into the night. The bait to use has already been explained. No perch in PCR but they show em in the regs at CVR just never knew anyone who fished for em.

[Bigdad013]

Fished PCR twice last winter, always from like 10-1:00, caught lots of burbs. Right out from the boat launch 100 ft or so. Using smelts suspended 6 inches above the bottom. Great place to take the kids

[jacenbeers]

PCR is awesome and full of burbs that eat like monsters after dark.

I also recommend Clear Lake after dark. The burbs are much bigger in there than at PCR. It is also fairly close to PCR.

Mcgregor lake is good for burbs and I have seen some good once come out of CVR as well.

[aulrich]

I have fished PCR, same with everyone else at night time. I use a glow jig head and half a jig tube, I rig a minnow/smelt so tht e tube goes over the bait with a bit haning out. I bounce off the bottom and pause within 6".

I recharge the glow with a UV led light.

Have not fished crawling valley.

[TROLLER]

Originally Posted by jacenbeers

PCR is awesome and full of burbs that eat like monsters after dark.

I also recommend Clear Lake after dark. The burbs are much bigger in there than at PCR. It is also fairly close to PCR.

Mcgregor lake is good for burbs and I have seen some good once come out of CVR as well.

Never have fished Clear. Caught burbs at Mcgregor just off the dam on the far so. end.

Don't even know how to get to Clear. I would assume you got most your burbs at Clear in the 25-30FOW range

[Safety D]

Lac st anne is good for burbs. Pretty dead for Perch though

[The Great White Hype]

Thanks all... Great tips.

[Stumpslayer]

I was on Smoke Lake (near Fox Creek) last spring to pick up some whites for our annual F&G banquet and the commercial fishermen caught more big burbot then anything that came up in the nets, 5-6lbs average. I will be one going out to try for burbot this coming winter.

[coyotezh]

Originally Posted by Bigdad013

Fished PCR twice last winter, always from like 10-1:00, caught lots of burbs. Right out from the boat launch 100 ft or so. Using smelts suspended 6 inches above the bottom. Great place to take the kids

Sorry! is PCR=Pine Coulee Reservoir ?

[fishermansfriend]

ya it is... hah i was confused a few times last year as well lol.

buffalo lake by alix also produces nice burbs