However, Whitefish Lake has populations of lake trout that rival that of nearby Flathead Lake, with fish often exceeding twenty pounds. Fishing includes, Lake Trout and occasionally Whitefish and Northern Pike. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Phone: (207) 287-8000 Whitefish Lake is 712 hectares with a maximum depth of 18.9 meters and a mean depth of 8.1 meters. Not as flashy or revered as their salmon and trout cousins, whitefish are characterized by a small head with a blunt snout overhanging the lower jaw. However, Kottelat’s handbook clearly referred to a specimen, held at the Natural History Museum of Geneva, which had been designated as “Balchen” by Fatio in 1885. Humans have not domesticated this fish in any way. Read on to learn what makes it unique, below. Whitefish are prime tasting freshwater fish from the same family as Salmon, widely harvested commercially in the Great Lakes and popularly targeted by … However, the largest individuals can reach lengths up to 31 in. Bear Lake whitefish are almost indistinguishable from young Bonneville whitefish (which get much larger than Bear Lake whitefish), and scale counts are the best way to distinguish the two. In fact, when you purchase “Whitefish” in grocery stores, this is typically the species you buy. Overall coloration is silvery to satiny white with olive to pale greenish brown on the back. The boxes show DUs identified for each of these steps. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Mailing Address: Interesting Facts: Lake whitefish in Maine have much longer potential life spans than previously thought. Often scorned by mainstream anglers, this fish is a tremendously under-appreciated facet of our northern aquatic ecosystems. Simultaneously, the males release their sperm, known as “milt.” Fertilization occurs outside of the body. All three species are found both in Lake Thun and in Lake Brienz. Lake whitefish are easily distinguished from fallfish (chub) by having a small mouth and the presence of a small adipose fin located on the back between the dorsal and caudal fins. On a typical day, they swim slowly along the bottom in search of prey. It is native to seven watersheds. These schools migrate seasonally between shallow waters and deeper waters. Their closest relatives include trout, salmon, grayling, char, and more. Alert: Stay up to date on Maine's COVID-19 Response, Home → Fish & Wildlife → Fisheries → Species Information → Lake Whitefish. View our Whitefish Lake fishing map for more info. The lake sturgeon of Lake Superior are the oldest and largest of the Great Lakes fish species, capable of reaching over 7 feet in length and over 200 pounds, with males living around 55 years on average and females living up to 100 years. The fins are white and the tail has a dark-edge.The lake whitefish is occasionally referred to as “humpback” because the head is small in relation to the length of the body. A related species, the round whitefish is light brown on the back becoming silvery on the side. The numbers on the top, from left to right, reflect the steps used in the key used to identify putative designatable units (DUs). Lake whitefish declines have coincided with the introduction of rainbow smelt, and research in Maine and elsewhere has identified smelt as the primary cause to reproductive failure and eventual loss of whitefish populations. With a carnivorous diet, this fish feeds primarily on small invertebrates. They only mate every two years or less frequently, making it even more imperative that anglers abide by the fishing regulations for these ancient creatures. Physical Address: As the water temperatures rise, lake whitefish school up in the dark, cool depths of the Great Lakes, sometimes retreating as deep as 200 feet. One of the most versatile fishes, Lake Whitefish are unequalled in the culinary department. However, this species also faces threat from the sea lamprey. Cape whitefish, Pseudobarbus capensis, a cyprinid; Beluga sturgeon, Huso huso; Caspian kutum, also called "White Fish" or "Caspian White Fish"; The chimaerae species: Australian ghost shark; Ogilby's ghostshark; Freshwater whitefish, members of the subfamily Coregoninae in the family Salmonidae, including: . Further, it describes at least seven distinct species of related fish, all found in Arctic and sub-Arctic fresh and salt water. The lake is large, measuring about a mile wide and seven miles long and is 3300 acres in size. Aquariums often keep this fish with other similar species. long and weighs around 4 lbs. The back may be dark brown to black in some inland lake specimens. Email us, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Opportunities for People with Disabilities, Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment, Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Reptiles and Amphibians, Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Invertebrates. Adult Size: Whitefish are normally 14-20 inches long and weigh 1-3 pounds, but can reach lengths of 25 inches and over 6 pounds. The lake also ha… Vertical jigging during the open water fishing season can be an effective way to catch whitefish too, but results can vary and few anglers pursue whitefish this way. Diet: Lake whitefish feed primarily on zooplankton, midge larvae, and small crustaceans. A Lake Whitefish species complex DU decision chart. The lake whitefish is a member of the salmon family, as can be noted by the presence of the adipose fin and pelvic axillary process. The small mouth also explains why lake whitefish are rarely caught by anglers who are not specifically targeting the species. Bear Lake whitefish generally do not exceed 270 mm in total length. A current research project within MDIFW is attempting to better understand the exact mechanisms that are driving the whitefish-smelt interaction, and find ways to mitigate the problems and inform whitefish recovery efforts. Whitefish Lake is located in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. The “Kropfer”, a Lake Thun deep-water whitefish, has been known for the past 20 years as Coregonus alpinus, in accordance with Kottelat’s “European freshwater fishes”. Life History: Lake whitefish travel in schools, feeding close to the bottom on small invertebrates, fish eggs, and zooplankton. Lake whitefish are a benthic coolwater fish that feed primarily on Diporeia, some small fish, and fish eggs. Fishing Tips: Whitefish are most effectively caught by fishing through the ice using small baited jigs. Our boats are set up for trolling, jigging or casting. The lake whitefish is slender, elongated species with a mouth that is subterminal and a snout that protrudes beyond it. Read on to learn about the Lake Whitefish. People refer to this species by a number of other names, including gizzard fish, common whitefish, Great Lakes whitefish, inland whitefish, and more. Most of the population lives in freshwater habitats, but some also occupy brackish water as well. Its dorsal fin sits midway down its broad body, giving it something of a hunchback appearance. You can catch them with live bait or a jigging spoon, either in … Habitats River, Lake. This fish species has a number of interesting traits and adaptations. Lake Whitefish (Coregonus Clupeaformis) is a species of freshwater fish from the Salmon family found in North America, particularly in cold lakes throughout Canada and northern United States, including all of the Great Lakes. Water depths between 30 and 60 feet are usually the most productive. As they grow larger, some whitefish feed on small smelts and other fish. Older fish often develop a fleshy bump at the should… Utah counties currently occupied by this species. You can find it throughout Canada and Alaska into the northern United States. Whitefish (Lake) Size 2 to 8lbs. The back may be dark brown to black in some inland lake specimens. Recent age analysis using sagittal otoliths (an inner ear bone) has shown whitefish in many populations living for 20-30 years. These dwarf fish reach a very small size, mature earlier, and generally have a much shorter life span. Populations of whitefish live in groups, known as schools. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. It occupies cold northern regions in freshwater habitats. Post date: Monday, March 5, 2012 - 20:48. Appendix A: Fish New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan Appendix A Fish-65 Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis Federal Listing State SC Listing Global Rank State Rank S3 Regional Status High Photo by Submitted by angler Justification (Reason for Concern in NH) The lake whitefish is considered vulnerable in New Hampshire, and is believed to be limited to 6 water bodies in the state. Game Qualities Average. These fish mainly live on the floor of rivers or lakes, spanning primarily across northern United States and Southern Canada. Whitefish Lake is located in the north Flathead Valley of northwest Montana. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Our pontoon charter boat on the lake is comfortable with lots of room. These low smelt numbers appear to have reduced the level of smelt-whitefish interaction and resulted in encouraging levels of whitefish reproduction. However, most of its diet consists of insects, insect larvae, fish larvae, fish eggs, small shrimp, and other invertebrates. Its range includes all of the Great Lakes. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed,. Bear Lake whitefish is one of four fish species naturally found only in Bear Lake, which straddles the Utah-Idaho border. Along with other cold-water fish species in Lake Simcoe, the decline in lake whitefish abundance in the lake has indicated deteriorating habitat quality. French explorer Antoine Denis Raudot wrote in 1710: “The fish that [The Chippewa] fish for there are the trout, the sturgeon, and the whitefish. Sport Fish Species: Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Lake Whitefish, Burbot Indigenous Fishery: Yes Environment and Parks Region: Lower Athabasca Region (LAR) Fisheries Management Zone: Northern Boreal 1 (NB1) Fisheries Management Office: Lac La Biche Background Whitefish Lake is approximately 45 km south of the Hamlet of Lac La Biche and is part of the Amisk River watershed. Fax: (207) 287-8094 or (207) 287-6395 Targetable fish species present are walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, lake cisco (tullibee) and burbot. The tail is deeply forked and they have an adipose fin. Whitefish is known for its' ski resorts. Species Profile: Lake Whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis. Probably the most challenging and uncommon way to catch whitefish is using small dry flies on the water surface during the short springtime period when whitefish are surface feeding. Other native fish species include the river's namesake mountain whitefish, largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), northern pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis), peamouth chub (Mylocheilus caurinus,), redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and mottled sculpin (Cottus bondi) slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), … The IUCN currently has not evaluated this species. Once a year these fish return to the shallows to spawn. TTY: Maine Relay 711 They are also the top three fish species in retail value in the United States. Read on to learn about the Lake Whitefish. The Lake Whitefish is a North American species of fish in the Salmonidae family. 284 State Street Aquatic life Fish species. They prefer lakes and large ponds, but they also live in rivers and streams. The lake whitefish is a member of the salmon family, as can be noted by the presence of the adipose fin and pelvic axillary process. Fish make up more than half of the known vertebrate species in the world. Recently we have seen very positive results in waters with increased numbers of lake trout, which have caused depressed smelt numbers. It is found in the largest of the deep lakes in the Great Lakes drainage, in lower elevation lakes of the Adirondacks and in Otsego Lake. In one example, we found an 11-inch long whitefish that we estimated to be 43-45 years old. Overall coloration is silvery to satiny white with olive to pale greenish brown on the back. However the fishing in the lake is a well kept secret, and fishing is nothing short of awesome. Lines connecting DUs reflect different stages of the decision process. We … Until recently, few sport anglers had discovered the special techniques required to catch lake whitefish, but this situation is changing, and any angler who has learned to fish whitefish successfully will find it well worth the effort. As indicators of habitat quality, lake whitefish fulfill an important ecological role and should be protected. This species has your typical “fish” appearance, with a torpedo-like body and silvery scales. In the spring, they swim into shallow water, return to deep water in summer, back to shallow in the fall to spawn, and back to deep in the winter. Small fish, such as smelt, are included in the diet of larger individuals, but their small delicate mouths limit the size of their prey. Over an 8-hour period, four of us hooked well over 20 whitefish and a few lake trout on just three of Don’s numerous spots. The most valuable of these is lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, which inhabits cold, deep-water lakes in the northern United States and in … People eat their meat, and also eat their eggs as caviar. But in the last decade, state biologists say fishers are harvesting about a third of what they used to get. Whitefish spawn in November and December, usually in the shallows. Typically they are silvery to white in color with an olive to pale greenish-brown back. Management: Lake whitefish populations have suffered massive declines over the past 50 years or so. Once common in all of the Great Lakes, you can now only readily find this fish in Lake Superior. After spawning, the adults leave and provide no parental care or protection of the eggs and young fry. Fried, baked, broiled, smoked, or canned, it is simply delicious. Since Great Lakes whitefish compared favorably with these top selling fish species, it can compete with their qualities in the market place and consumers should give our local Great Lakes whitefish a … Because they reach respectable sizes, they house the schools in relatively large enclosures with cold water that replicates their natural habitats. Most use on Whitefish Lake consists of pleasure boating, sailing and waterskiing. Humans rely on this species for both commercial and recreational fishing. The mouth is subterminal and the snout protrudes beyond it. Scales are large. Despite the fact that freshwater rivers and lakes represent only about 1 percent of the world's water, more than 41 percent of all fish species are found there. People refer to this species by a number of other names, including gizzard fish, common whitefish, Great Lakes whitefish, inland whitefish, and more. With a two-fish limit on Lake Simcoe per angler for conservation, we released most of the fish we caught and kept two each for dinner. It has been introduced into seven additional watersheds. Lake Whitefish – Another Great Lake species, this fish is important to commercial fishermen. The body is somewhat laterally compressed. Whitefish are a family of fish including cod, haddock, and pollock, to name a few species. Some aquariums house schools of this species. The fins are generally black or black tipped. Fishing at Whitefish Lake? Their closest relatives include trout, salmon, grayling, char, and more. In a 2016 status assessment, the Department determined that whitefish remained present in about 50 waters in Maine, but many of those waters no longer supported self-sustaining populations, meaning we are likely to see continuing decline of the species, including complete loss of whitefish populations in a number of lakes. It is approximately 138 feet deep at its deepest point. 41 State House Station Larger individuals also hunt for small fish. The Lake Whitefish is a North American species of fish in the Salmonidae family. While overfishing once plummeted the populations of this fish, it has recovered with the implementation of fishery management. This lake is 7,716 acres in size. On average, this fish measures about 20 in. For this … CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Updated date: 2/6/17 An iconic fish of the north, the elusive Lake Whitefish is as challenging to catch as it is tasty. Currently, there are about 50,000 known species of fish, with new species being identified every year! Researchers from Quebec have been studying the differentiation between dwarf and normal whitefish in Maine for more than 30 years. During spawning, the females swim to the surface of the water and release their eggs. Food Value Excellent. Atlantic whitefish, Coregonus huntsmani in the genus Coregonus Whitefish Lake is located in the resort community of Whitefish, and is one of the most popular lakes in Montana. Identification: Overall coloration is silvery dark brown to black on the back, becoming silvery on the sides and silvery white below. Lake whitefish are the most important commercial fish species in Michigan. Whitefish is one of the top walleye fisheries for Swan Valley residents. No, this whitefish does not make a good pet. Their diets typically contain fish, mysid shrimp, mollusks, crustaceans, and more. Table 1. Discover what species are most popular in Whitefish Lake, and what gear has been used. A related species, the round whitefish is light brown on the back becoming silvery on the side. and weights up to 15 lbs. This species has also never been transplanted elsewhere, and occurs nowhere else in the world (Sigler and Sigler 1987). Larger females contain more eggs, with as many as 130,000 or more in the heaviest females. It is believed that the emergence of dwarf whitefish represents a fascinating example of the formation of a new species, which can take advantage of an ecological niche within certain waters that normal lake whitefish do not occupy. Populations migrate seasonally between deeper and shallower regions. This whitefish species lives in North America. They catch most of their prey along the bottom of the lake or pond. These fish prefer cold habitats with access to deep waters. or more! All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Lake whitefish are easily distinguished from fallfish (chub) by having a small mouth and the presence of a small adipose fin located on the back between the dorsal and caudal fins. A number of lakes contain populations of "dwarf" size fish where mature adult whitefish attain lengths of only 6-8 inches. It has a more cylindrical body shape than the lake whitefish. It has a more cylindrical body shape than the lake whitefish. The catch dropped to 1.7 million pounds last year, down from five million pounds in the early 2000s. He decided to use it to produce a popular native species, lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), which was experiencing a sharp decline in the wild. As the bulk of their food resides on or near the lake bottom during winter, most whitefish are caught in the lowest two to three feet of the water column. Other articles where Lake whitefish is discussed: protacanthopterygian: Ecology: …of the Northern Hemisphere, several whitefish species (Coregonus) are comparable, ecologically, to the herrings in the ocean. Lake Whitefish inhabits cold-water lakes and remains in deeper waters in summer. Physical and biological characteristics of whitefish can vary widely from lake to lake – so much so, that reproductively isolated ‘dwarf’ forms of whitefish have emerged in several waters in northern Maine. It grows quite large to keep in a home aquarium, and honestly does not have any interesting qualities as a pet. Restrictive fishing regulations over the past two decades and a whitefish hatchery stocking program (from 2003-2009) appear to have helped in some waters, but have resulted in limited success to date. Access to deep waters and a mean depth of 18.9 meters and a that... 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