Burbot in Saskatchewan

Burbot are the only freshwater cod in North America and are native here in Saskatchewan.
They can be found in lakes and waters across the province and generally live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake.
The burbot is a predator fish and feeds on whitefish and other burbot, mostly at night.
Lake Diefenbaker here in Saskatchewan has the world record for the largest burbot that was caught by Sean Konrad on March 27, 2010.
Details
Scientific name: | Lota lota |
Avg. weight: | 1 to 1.5 kg (2.2 to 3.3 lbs) |
Conservation status: | Least Concern |
Also known as: | mariah, bubbot, loche, cusk, freshwater cod, freshwater ling, freshwater cusk, lingcod, or eelpout |
General Limit: | 8 |
Distribution: | Found in 309 waters in Saskatchewan |
Distribution
See where Burbot can be found in Saskatchewan.
All lakes with Burbot
Fishing for Burbot in Saskatchewan
General Limits
The limit for Burbot is 8 in Saskatchewan provincial waters. Some provincial waters may have different limits for Burbot or be closed to fishing altogether. Always double check with the Sask Anglers Guide before heading out.
Lakes with Burbot










Candle Lake is a massive lake in central Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Candle Lake Provincial Park and 72km NNE of Prince Albert. Candle Lake Provincial Park, Waskateena Beach Recreation Site and Minowukaw Dog Beach are located at Candle Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Central Zone |
Photos: | 24 photos of Candle Lake |
RM: | Paddockwood No. 520 |
Communities: | Resort Village of Candle Lake |
Parks: | Candle Lake Provincial Park, Waskateena Beach Recreation Site |
Location: | 53.822669397618, -105.29727226295 |
Shore Length: | 73km |
Surface Area: | 32616 acres |
Max Depth: | 16.8 m (55 ft) |
Inflows: | Fisher Creek, Clearsand Creek, Hanin Creek |
Outflows: | Torch River |






Christopher Lake is a medium sized lake in central Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Great Blue Heron Provincial Park and 40km NNW of Prince Albert. Great Blue Heron Provincial Park is adjacent to Christopher Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Central Zone |
Photos: | 27 photos of Christopher Lake |
RM: | The District of Lakeland No. 521 |
Communities: | Resort Village of Christopher Lake, Bell's Beach, Clearsand Beach |
Parks: | Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, Christopher Lake Nature Area |
Location: | 53.566265824554, -105.82591024771 |
Shore Length: | 18km |
Surface Area: | 1643 acres |
Max Length: | 14.61 km (9.08 mi) |
Max Depth: | 10.1 m (33 ft) |
Inflows: | Christopher Lake diversion |
Outflows: | Christopher Creek |







Emma Lake is a large lake in central Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Great Blue Heron Provincial Park and 46km NNW of Prince Albert. Fairy Island Wildlife Refuge, Emma Lake (Murray Point) Recreation Site and Great Blue Heron Provincial Park are located at Emma Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Central Zone |
Photos: | 35 photos of Emma Lake |
RM: | The District of Lakeland No. 521 |
Communities: | Sunnyside Beach, Guise Beach, Neis Beach, Emma Lake (Unincorporated), Okema Beach |
Parks: | Fairy Island Wildlife Refuge, Emma Lake (Murray Point) Recreation Site, Great Blue Heron Provincial Park |
Location: | 53.60438082944, -105.92050530467 |
Shore Length: | 67km |
Surface Area: | 4364 acres |
Max Depth: | 10.1 m (33 ft) |
Inflows: | Montreal Creek, Emma Lake Diversion |
Outflows: | Christopher Lake diversion |






Greenwater Lake is a large stocked lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located in Greenwater Lake Provincial Park and 83km ESE of Melfort. Last stocked with walleye in 2023 The lake is within Greenwater Lake Provincial Park.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 31 photos of Greenwater Lake |
RM: | Bjorkdale No. 426, Porcupine No. 395 |
Parks: | Greenwater Lake Provincial Park |
Location: | 52.514896459523, -103.50737331256 |
Shore Length: | 26km |
Surface Area: | 2722 acres |
Outflows: | Greenwater Creek |









Greig Lake is a large stocked lake in central Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Meadow Lake Provincial Park and 41km NNW of Meadow Lake. Last stocked with walleye in 2024 Meadow Lake Provincial Park is adjacent to Greig Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Central Zone |
Photos: | 44 photos of Greig Lake |
Communities: | Resort Village of Greig Lake |
Parks: | Meadow Lake Provincial Park |
Location: | 54.454148488114, -108.72320937811 |
Shore Length: | 22km |
Surface Area: | 3998 acres |
Max Depth: | 27.01 m (88.6 ft) |
Learn more about fish species found in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Freshwater Fishes - Waterproof Guide Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes