Burbot Lota lota movement and river discharge were studied in the Kootenai River, Idaho, U.S.A. and British Columbia, Canada, downstream of Libby Dam, Montana, U.S.A. A total of 24 adult burbot with transmitters were tracked from 1994 to 2000, for analysis of a travel distance of !5 km in 10 days termed 'stepwise movement'. Of 44 'stepwise movements', significantly greater movements during pre-spawning and spawning were observed when average daily discharges from Libby Dam were <300 m 3 s À1 , with a mean of 176 m 3 s À1 , similar to pre-dam conditions. Burbot travelled at a greater rate during all seasons (3Á36 km day À1 ) at discharges >300 m 3 s À1 (mean ¼ 1Á84 km day À1 ) than at discharges >300 m 3 s À1 but no difference was found for the pre-spawning and spawning period. Burbot that started 'stepwise movements' in low discharge conditions frequently stopped during low discharges. # 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles