Garmin marine tech helps keep burbot numbers at bay in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Anglers turn to Garmin live sonar technology to help manage the invasive species population.

The people who cherish the famed Flaming Gorge Reservoir are committed to protecting its trophy fish and maintaining healthy waters. While most fish in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir feed during the day and rest at night, one species follows the opposite routine: the burbot.

The what? We’re talking about the invasive nocturnal burbot, dubbed the “ugliest fish in the west.” A freshwater cod-like fish that’s almost a cross between an eel and a catfish, the burbot uses its wide mouth to feed on sport fish such as smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon and other trout species. It can be found in the Flaming Gorge, which is in the northeast corner of Utah and the southwest corner of Wyoming. Have a look for yourself above.

Yes, its appearance is a bit daunting, but the burbot’s knack for preying on its peers in the dark of the night is most concerning to some of the Flaming Gorge’s biggest supporters.

“Once the burbot was first documented in the gorge in 2006, there were a few changes that people started to notice in the reservoir. We wanted to find a way to help the fishery, with the smallmouth bass and other sport fish disappearing,” said John Walrath, a regional fish biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Fast forward to 2011, the derby-style, two-day Burbot Bash ice fishing event was created for anglers to help minimize the invasive burbot and maintaining trophy fish in the Flaming Gorge region.

“The purpose of the event is not necessarily to eliminate burbot, but to have the species at a level that helps the ecosystem thrive,” said Ryan Kelly, Burbot Bash director. “The burbot had become a food chain disruptor, eating the young fish from different species, which caused a problem with the entire ecosystem.”

This problem affected the local economy, given the Flaming Gorge Reservoir used to be a top-100 B.A.S.S. destination but is still considered a premier trophy lake trout and kokanee salmon fishery in the U.S. “A few years ago, we saw the lowest burbot densities since they were first documented in 2006,” Walrath said. “The very next spring, we saw our highest smallmouth bass numbers since we started that sampling in 2020. The vast majority were 3 to 4 inches in size, so really small. That size of fish is definitely vulnerable to burbot.”

How Garmin supports the fishing derby

After years of successful Burbot Bash events, Garmin stepped in to show its support of the event and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2025.

“It’s nice that a company like Garmin was willing to come out to the Bash and showcase its technology to folks,” Walrath said.

A 2025 event sponsor, Garmin offers a unique solution to help minimize the burbot population at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which measures 91 miles long with 360 miles of shoreline.

“Keeping a strong and healthy fishery is super important for our community, so knowing that Garmin cares in this case is super important. A lot of people will travel from long distances and use LiveScope on the gorge for the big lake trout and salmon,” Walrath said.

With many of the almost 800 anglers using the state-of-the-art LiveScope™ or Panoptix™, a tournament-record 4,675 burbots were caught. The tech provided anglers with a clear view of fish and structure under the ice in real time.

What’s the difference between Garmin LiveScope and Panoptix live sonar technology? Find out here.

“It’s a little bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack out there if you don’t have those tools. I wouldn’t say a little bit — it is a needle in a haystack for anglers who don’t have tools or experience,” said Kelly, the event director. “The LiveScope is super handy in locating fish, seeing how they’re reacting to the lure, and making easy adjustments.”

Education helps fuel big numbers

Another reason for the uptick in burbot caught? Walrath, the area biologist, and Kelly believe the addition of informational sessions and on-the-water seminars played a significant role. Garmin representatives educated attendees with ice fishing tips and tricks ahead of and during the event.

“Normally we see 50% of the anglers catch fish, and this year that jumped to about 67%. I attributed that to the LiveScope and the sessions,” said Kelly, who noted more than 250 anglers attended the sessions. “We provided the chance to win a LiveScope, and that was a big draw for people to attend.”

The increased number of burbots caught was especially satisfying for Walrath and those who manage the waters.

“It was great that Garmin offered anglers the chance to set up their LiveScope units and help them prepare for the Bash and the gorge — to get that better detail and clearer picture,” Walrath said. “We want to see the seminar attendees actually go out onto the ice and apply what they learned so that we can have higher catch rates.”

Not your ordinary derby

The Burbot Bash prides itself on being a nonprofit event. Entry fees are returned to the anglers in the form of cash prizes, giveaways and more.

“The anglers really like that and so does our department,” Walrath said. “It encourages folks to participate and help us manage the Flaming Gorge resources — that’s the main mission.”

“We paid out cash to 90 different anglers,” Kelly said. “I want to say we gave out $50,000 in cash prizes, $10,000–$12,000 in gear and then $38,000 in true cash to winners.”

Are you looking to enhance your fishing or boating experience? Check out the latest Garmin marine tech today.