As part of an ongoing stock assessment program, burbot Lota lota were sampled in two 24 kilometer river sections, one each in the Tanana and Chena rivers, representing the area where most fishing harvest occurs. These sections have been sampled annually since 1986 and 1988, respectively. A systematic sampling design was used, whereby hoop traps were set and moved daily for a period of four days. Estimates of mean catch per unit effort, mean length, length distributions, and proportions of catch for three size categories were calculated. Estimates for each were within the range of observed values from previous sampling years. Seasonal variations in catch rate and composition was cited as a problem in interpreting these annual estimates. Suggestions for improving the study design to alleviate seasonal catch variability are given.