Service Crew Discovers Rare Yellow Burbot in Oswego Harbor

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey crew caught an unusually bright yellow-orange burbot in Oswego Harbor, New York, during routine monitoring in October 2026. The fish is a native species, but its striking color comes from xanthochromism, a rare condition linked to a genetic mutation that alters pigmentation. The discovery is notable because burbot are scarce in Lake Ontario and generally live in deeper, cooler water than the harbor. It is the first burbot documented in a fisheries survey there, although anglers have reported occasional catches.

The find also demonstrates why broad, intensive monitoring can matter for detecting invasive species. The Service’s Great Lakes program combines electrofishing, fyke and gill nets, and environmental DNA testing to locate species that may be present in very small numbers. Finding an unusual native fish suggests these methods can detect uncommon animals - and potentially newly arrived invaders - when populations are still difficult to find. Biologists found the burbot emaciated and in poor condition, so it was sent to Cornell University’s veterinary college for health analysis. Researchers hope the fish may offer clues about the ongoing decline of burbot populations across the Great Lakes basin and help guide their management.