WHITEFISH, LAKE

L, W -

WHITEFISH, LAKE

Scientific Name: 
Coregonus clupeaformis
Salt/Fresh: 
Fresh
Also Known As: 
Lake Whitefish; High Back; Bow Back; Buffalo Back; Humpback Whitefish; Common Whitefish; Eastern Whitefish; Great Lakes Whitefish; Inland Whitefish; Sault Whitefish; Gizzard Fish; WHITEFISH, LAKE
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
Description: 

The Lake Whitefish is a species of freshwater whitefish from North America. It is a valuable commercial fish, and also occasionally taken by sport fishermen. Lake Whitefish is one of the most important species for commercial inland fisheries in North America. The total annual catch in 1999 from Canada was 8 328 t and USA 5 353 t. Smoked, refrigerated, vacuum-packed lake whitefish fillets are available in North American grocery stores. 

How To Identify: 

Lake Whitefish are similar in appearance to other whitefishes in the Coregoninae subfamily of the salmon family Salmonidae, such as the northern cisco. As with all salmonids, they have an adipose fin. To the distinction fromcisco, the Lake Whitefish has a snout which overhangs the short lower jaw, so that the mouth opens in a slightly inferior position. Thus the fish can feed on the bottom of lake beds or grab food particulates out of the water or from the surface of a water body. The cisco in turn has a short snout with a lower jaw that extends beyond the snout. Both the cisco and lake whitefish are discernible from the mooneye due to the small posterior dorsal adipose fin. Another notable feature of the Lake Whitefish is the presence of two small flaps in each nostril. Their coloration is typically silver to white with an olive to pale-green or brown dorsal hues. The ventral fins are white and the tail has a dark posterior edge. The tail fin of the Lake Whitefish is severely forked, making it a fast swimmer.

How To Catch: 

A simple line and jig system is enough to catch the fish as they feast on mayflies and midges. In winter months, catching whitefish through the ice is very popular, particularly in northern Wisconsin, with many fishing guides specializing in this species. Successful icefishing techniques include using a jigging spoon, with at least one "slider hook" above and separated from the spoon with a barrel swivel, and all hooks tipped with wax worms. 

Where Found: 

Internationally

Lake Whitefish are found throughout much of Canada and parts of the northern United States, including all of the Great Lakes. The Lake Whitefish is distributed from Alaska and western Canada to the Atlantic coastal drainage of Maine and in New Brunswick north to Labrador.

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