DESCRIPTION
-
The average length of the Lake Whitefish
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.
DISTRIBUTION
- The Lake Whitefish is widely distributed
throughout British Columbia and Canada.
BIOLOGY
- Spawning occurs in the fall in shallow
waters at depths of less than 25 feet.
The female Lake Whitefish lays 16,100
eggs per pound of fish and 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.
RELATION
TO MAN - The Lake Whitefish is the
most valuable commercial freshwater fish
in Canada. Sport fishermen actively enjoy
the catch of this fish and report the
flesh as an exceptionally fine flavor.
Whitefish eggs are sometimes marketed
as caviar.
Lake
Whitefish
