The burbot (a.k.a. eelpout) is the only freshwater member of the codfish family. It is most often caught through the ice when it moves to shallow water to spawn. Preferring cool temperatures, Burbot spend  the summer months in deep water near the lake bottom (UW Sea Grant Institute, 1998). In fact, I once caught one at a depth of over 100 feet when I accidently let my jigging spoon drop to the bottom while fishing for lake trout. The Minnesota state record for burbot is 18 pounds, 5 ounces (Minnesota DNR, 2000). Though not much to look at, they are actually quite tasty if prepared correctly. Click here for a burbot recipe.