The Poor Mans lobster?

Temperatures drop into the -15 to -25 range as we settle down into the long cold winter months, there is not much to do but tell stories of our #hunt from the #deer season that is fading into the

past. But for some #outdoor enthusiasts, #icefishing has begun!

Some with their pop up huts, others in more elaborate shacks on the frozen lake and even those who just drill a hole and jig from the cold tundra. Jumbo #Perch, #pike, #whitefish and #trout are sought after in #lakesimcoe. But there is something new to add to this list. Poor Mans Lobster! Burbot, Fresh Water Cod, Mariah, Freshwater ling, the Lawyer, Coney-fish, Lingcod, freshwater Cusk, and Eelpout and God knows how many other names.. Something I have always know as #Ling.

It wasn't long ago that we anglers would just throw them on the ice to die and become #coyote food. Everyone I fished with said they were garbage fish and a nuisance.

But what is this I here. Two recent world records for Ling? The current record in Ontario is held by Sebastien Roy at 17.95 pounds. A 39 inch #burbot out of #LakeSimcoe Jan. 2017. He beat the previous record of 16.81 pounds. Wow! I got to look into this. Now these fish sure look slimy and slithery when you are taking them off the hook, but a growing number of #Anglers across the ice belt are targeting these fish,and hold them in high regard for their tasty #meat. I remember going to Temagami ice fishing for the weekend with a bunch of guys. Most, I think, were there to drink, party, and eat chicken wings. We were invited by the hut operator to come one night as they were having a Ling feast. We didn't go because who wanted to eat that?

---

Times have changed. Burbot are now being caught and released with the same care given to prized cold water game fish. This cold water fish is native to Ontario lakes and rivers.

They are aggressive fish, and when pulled out they look like they have Desert Storm 'Camo' on. They may look like bottom feeders but new studies show they are a top predator. Burbot are a nocturnal species that feed all the way through the night and often roam while they feed.

---

Using a heavily glowing jig should help you put one on your plate. Ling are excellent table fare, and are very comparable to any white meat fish species. They are naturally boneless and really easy to fillet. Their scaleless eel looking exterior is worth ignoring next time you are fishing into the dark hours of the night.

Be safe on the ice and try some Pan Seared and Crusted Ling.

Doug Taylor

Red tooth Outdoors