Burbot Lota lota
This species was found at 9 bioassessment sites, 1 rapid fish bioassessment site, 2 fisheries assessment sites, and 1 fisheries presence-only assessment site. In total, it was collected at 11 distinct sites, or 0.7% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 100th most commonly collected species.
The Burbot was collected in 14 bioassessment sampling sessions and 2 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 1 rapid bioassessment session and 1 presence-only session.
The biological assessment program has collected a total of 58 individual Burbot specimens, ranking it the #103 most collected fish.
A slender-shaped, smooth-skinned fish with a single, large barbel in the middle of its chin. The dorsal fin is divided, with a short first dorsal lobe that has 8 to 16 soft rays. The second lobe is low, long, and has 61 to 81 rays. The anal fin is nearly as long as the second dorsal and has 52 to 76 fin rays. The pelvic fins, with 5 to 8 rays, are inserted slightly ahead of the pectoral fins. Scales are so small that they are nearly invisible--except on large adults. Dark olive or brown back and sides with dark mottlings, and white or pale-yellow belly. Fins are similar in color to adjacent body parts. It can reach over 30-inches long and weigh over 12 pounds, but most fish in Iowa are considerably smaller.
HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found