Green River Pinedale Wyoming

1.29.2016

Tracking Burbot in the Green River near Pinedale Wyoming, Fish Biologist Darren Rhea completed burbot netting on the Green River. Burbot, not native to the Green River, were illegally introduced, likely forever altering this renowned river system. Burbot are a voracious predator feeding almost exclusively on other fish or crayfish. In order to help eradicate these predators in the Green River we need EVERYONES help with this endeavor.

Burbot

Flaming Gorge, Fontenelle, and Big Sandy reservoirs have seen dramatic declines in some fish populations, especially smallmouth bass. Native populations of some imperiled fish species also saw drastic changes, such as bluehead and flannelmouth suckers, as burbot became established. Data collected in 2013 shows that burbot have now become established in the Green River just below the town of Daniel. Game and Fish biologists will continue to monitor and implement control actions.

Per the Wyoming Game and Fish Regulations these predators MUST be killed immediately. Here’s the description below from Wikipedia to help identify the burbot.

With an appearance like a cross between a catfish and an eel, the burbot has a serpent-like body, but it is easily distinguished by a single barbel on the chin. The body is elongated and laterally compressed, with a flattened head and single tube-like projection for each nostril. The mouth is wide, with both upper and lower jaws consisting of many small teeth. Burbot have two soft dorsal fins; the first being low and short, the second being much longer. The anal fin is low and almost as long as the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is rounded, the pectoral fins are fan-shaped, and pelvic fins are narrow with an elongated second fin ray. Having such small fins relative to body size indicates a benthic lifestyle with low swimming endurance, unable to withstand strong currents. The circular or cycloid scales are very small, making it difficult to accurately age, and thus even more challenging to manage