Coregonus clupeaformis

How to identify a Lake Whitefish

Lake Whitefish are found in cold, clear streams and deep lakes; current seams and inlets. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cold, clear streams and deep lakes; current seams and inlets

Where to catch Lake Whitefish

• Great Lakes (MI/WI/ON)
• Flathead (MT)
• Alberta lakes

Lake Whitefish by state

State season calendars that list Lake Whitefish — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Montana — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• Ohio — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Small spoons · inline spinners · flies · natural baits where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Lake Whitefish:

• Mountain Whitefish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Round Whitefish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Largemouth Bass — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Logperch — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Longear Sunfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Longnose Dace — identification & profile (Freshwater)