Idaho Angler Sets State Catch-and-Release Record with 26.75-Inch Burbot Pulled from Kootenai River
KOOTENAI RIVER, Idaho — A Troy, Montana, angler has etched his name into Idaho’s fishing record books after pulling a massive burbot from the Kootenai River earlier this spring, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Monday.
Caleb Wilson set a new Idaho state catch-and-release record on March 19 when he reeled in a 26.75-inch burbot from the Kootenai River. Working under the light of a headlamp, Wilson recognized immediately that he might have something special on the line.
“Wilson knew he might have a state record contender on his hands, so he whipped out the tape measure under the light of his headlamp,” according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
North Idaho’s ‘Kootenai Leopards’: A Unique Cold-Water Species
Burbot are one of North Idaho’s most distinctive — and underappreciated — game fish. Known by a variety of regional names including cusk, freshwater cod, ling, lingcod, and eelpout, burbot hold a notable distinction: they are the only freshwater cod species found in North America.
The fish are well-adapted to the cold, deep waters of the Kootenai River. Burbot feature flat heads, long eel-like bodies, stumpy rounded fins toward the rear, and long pectoral fins just behind the gills. Their brownish-yellow mottled skin has earned them the nickname “Kootenai leopards” among local anglers — an apt description for a species that is as predatory as it is visually striking.
True to their leopard-like nature, burbot are nocturnal hunters. According to Fish and Game, the fish tend to spend daylight hours resting in deep, slow-moving pools before moving into shallower water at night to hunt crayfish and small fish. Their cold-water preferences and elusive habits make a catch of this size all the more impressive.
Despite being an often-overlooked sport fish, burbot are widely regarded as exceptional table fare among anglers familiar with the species — making Wilson’s decision to release the record fish back into the Kootenai a testament to conservation-minded angling.
Conservation Partnerships Driving Burbot Recovery on the Kootenai
Wilson’s record catch is also a reflection of years of coordinated conservation work along the Kootenai River. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, British Columbia officials, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho have worked in partnership to restore the river’s burbot population, with funding support from the Bonneville Power Administration.
“Decades of aquaculture research from the University of Idaho, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s successful hatchery stocking program have been helping fuel the increasing burbot numbers,” the Fish and Game press release stated.
That cooperative model — combining tribal hatchery expertise, university research, state and provincial wildlife management, and federal funding — has produced measurable results in the Kootenai River corridor. The growing burbot population represents one of the more notable fishery recovery stories in the North Idaho Panhandle.
The Kootenai River, which flows through the far northwestern corner of Idaho before crossing into Montana and British Columbia, has long been a productive fishery for a variety of species. Anglers in the region looking for additional outdoor recreation opportunities beyond fishing can also explore Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s year-round recreation options, which extend well beyond the ski season in Bonner County.
What Comes Next
Wilson’s catch-and-release record now stands officially in the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s record books, adding a new chapter to the Kootenai River’s growing reputation as a burbot fishery. With conservation programs continuing to support population growth along the river, anglers across North Idaho and neighboring Montana are taking notice of the Kootenai’s potential for trophy-class burbot.
Fish and Game officials have not announced any changes to burbot regulations in connection with the record catch. Anglers interested in targeting burbot on the Kootenai River are encouraged to check current Idaho Fish and Game regulations before heading out. For additional statewide outdoors and recreation news across Idaho, readers can visit Idaho News.