Lake Whitefish
Common name(s): Whitefish, Sault whitefish, gizzard fish, grande coregone, (French), Attikumaig (Chippewa), eastern whitefish, humpback whitefish, inland whitefish Scientific name: Coregonus culpeaformis Description: The average length is 15 inches and seldom weighs more than 15 pounds although the generally accepted commercial weight is 2 pounds. An older fish will develop a hump behind the head. The overall coloration is silvery with a pale greenish brown to light or dark brown back.
Spawning: Spawning occurs in the fall in shallow waters at depths of less than 25 feet. The female lays so many eggs that she loses roughly 11% of her body weight at this time. This species is predominantly a bottom feeder. The major predators are lake trout, northern pike, burbot, yellow walleye, and even whitefish themselves. Angling: Related to trout and salmon, whitefish are widely distributed in the colder lakes and streams in the Northern Hemisphere. The most important angling whitefishes are the lake, mountain, inconnu and round whitefish, together with the eight species of ciscoes. The Cisco, because of its herringlike size, shape and general appearance , is also known as the lake herring. Despite being a small fish (6 ounces to 2 pounds and between 11 to 15 inches), it's popular with anglers because it will readily take a wide range of lures and baits, including flies. 
Lake whitefish usually feed along the bottom and are generally safe from the sportsman's fishing
tackle. But since 1970, commerical fishing nets have annually harvested more than two million pounds
from Green Bay and northwestern Lake Michigan.
Whitefish school in cold, deep waters and are still plentiful in Lake Superior and the northern parts of Lakes Michigan and Huron. However, they have disappeared from some areas where they were once abundant. |
