For those who enjoy the thrill of fishing, winter is a great time to try your luck at catching burbot in the Kootenai River. Burbot, a native and once rare fish, offers a unique challenge for anglers during this season. By reporting tags on these catches, you can help Fish and Game better understand burbot catch rates, harvest rates, and survival rates. This information helps improve the fishery and ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy this exciting species.

Reporting tags is also a great way to earn some extra cash! Each tag carries a reward value of $100, so this winter could be your lucky year! If you see a tag while fishing, be sure to report the tag number and location where you caught the fish to Fish and Game. Reporting can be done over the phone (1-866-258-0338), online or as part of the Angler Science Program creel packet. So why not take up a new hobby this winter and try your hand at catching burbot? Not only will it be an exciting adventure, but you’ll also be helping to protect our environment by reporting these valuable tags.