The lake whitefish is a large, silver salmon relative with a deeply forked caudal fin and an almost sucker-like mouth. Although not as colorful as some of their relatives, as a member of the salmon family, they still have a delicious filet. Additionally, they are rather large for a sportfish, at around 21 inches (53 cm), ensuring that anglers get quite a big meal if they catch one.
This salmonid’s small mouth prevents the lake whitefish from eating large prey items, like adult fish. As a result, this species primarily eats insects and other detritus found at the bottom of a lake or river. Additionally, lake whitefish tend to form large schools allowing anglers to catch multiple individuals from a single angling spot.
Lake Whitefish Habitats – Where Do They Live?
The lake whitefish is found throughout Canada and the northernmost margins of the United States. They are introduced to some Montana, Idaho, Washington, and New York watersheds. They are found in large lakes and are most commonly known from the Great Lakes in North America.
Lake whitefish prefer deep water habitats in colder climates, and they will migrate to colder water during the summer when the shallows are warm. They are routinely found at depths below 50 ft (15 m), although they will travel to shallow water during the winter. They make several annual migrations between shallow and deep waters and to their spawning habitats. Seasonal migrations occur during the summer when the surface water becomes too warm. Lake whitefish take refuge in cold, deep pools during the summer and migrate back to shallow water during the fall.
While the lake whitefish can be found in several lakes outside of its native range, most attempts to introduce this species outside of its native range have not been successful. In addition, there is little evidence that it becomes invasive in adventive habitats.
What Do Lake Whitefish Eat?
As juveniles, lake whitefish specialize in aquatic invertebrates and zooplankton. As adults, they eat detritus, shrimp, fish, eggs, and insects. Large adults are also known to eat small fish. Generally, they will hunt for food along the bottom of a lake in large schools.
Lake Whitefish Spawning Facts
Adult lake whitefish are at least four years old and spawn from October to January. During this spawning period, they form large groups and spawn in shallow banks less than 25 feet (8 m) deep. Here, eggs are scattered over the substrate. Unlike other salmonids, females do not dig redds or nests. Instead, lake white fish release eggs and milt in the upper section of the water column, causing noticeable activity on the water’s surface. Eggs scattered in the winter will hatch next spring, and females can lay as many as 130,000 eggs in a single season.
Lake Whitefish Fishing Locations, Restrictions, & Considerations
Compared to other fish of a similar size, lake whitefish are long-lived and can make it past 25 years of age. These individuals are relatively large, around 20 lbs (9 kgs). The maximum recorded weight was an individual of 50 years at 41 lbs (19 kgs). Their large size makes them an excellent catch for anglers interested in fishing for food. Lake whitefish eggs can also be sold as caviar and are considered a delicacy.
Ice fishing for lake whitefish is also popular during the winter when the lakes in which lake whitefish take refuge when low air temperature causes lakes to freeze. Lake whitefish tend to sit around in one place during the winter, so ice-fishing anglers can count on catching multiple individuals from a single hole drilled into the ice. Since they reside near the bottom of the water body, using equipment to sink your bait is the best option.
While they primarily hunt insects, they will accept small fish as bait. Whitefish may react unexpectedly to a lure, either biting it and providing some slack on the line or pulling it immediately. Regardless of how they are caught, lake whitefish make an exciting catch!
