The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis
Whitefish Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–26 in, 2–4 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 31 in and 15 lb |
| Lifespan | up to about 50 years |
| Range | Cold, deep water across Canada and the northern US — all five Great Lakes plus deep inland lakes from New England west to Minnesota and north into Alaska. |
| Habitat | Deep, cold water most of the year, sliding onto shallow gravel and rock shoals in late fall and early winter. |
| Diet | Bottom invertebrates — insect larvae, small clams and snails, freshwater shrimp and fish eggs; wax worms and small minnows imitate them. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Whitefish
- Silvery body with an olive-brown back
- Small head with a blunt, overhanging snout
- Small, subterminal, nearly toothless mouth
- Deeply forked tail with large, smooth (unspotted) scales
- Adipose fin present (member of the trout/salmon family)
- Double skin flap between each pair of nostrils
Tell it apart: A small downward-set toothless mouth under a blunt overhanging snout, large unspotted silvery scales, a deeply forked tail, and an adipose fin identify lake whitefish; the lack of teeth and spots rules out the trout and salmon.
How to Catch Whitefish
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- Best in cold months December-March, largely an ice fishery; jig small spoons and tipped jigs tight to bottom, also caught open-water in early spring.GearSmall jigging spoonsIce fishing jigsLight ice combo
When & Where Whitefish Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Nearshore |
Whitefish Regulations
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR)WisconsinWisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)MichiganMichigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)IllinoisIllinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries (iFish Illinois)IndianaIndiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish & WildlifeOhioOhio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of WildlifePennsylvaniaPennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionNew York (Great Lakes / inland)New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.