Native

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus clupeaformis

Abundant in many lakes. Often overlooked by anglers but provides a great commercial and sport fishery.

AVERAGE SIZE
0.5-1.5 kg (1-3 lb)
LAKES WITH LAKE WHITEFISH
19+ in database
Lake Whitefish

Habitat

Found in deep, cold lakes throughout Alberta. Bottom feeders that cruise over sandy and muddy substrates. Often school in large numbers. Share habitat with lake trout and cisco.

Seasonal Patterns

Spring: May move shallower. Summer: Deep water, often 30-60 feet. Fall: Moving shallow for spawn (October-November). Winter: Excellent ice fishing target in 20-40 feet.

Fishing Techniques

  • Jigging: Small jigs with maggots or wax worms on bottom
  • Fly fishing: Small nymphs fished deep
  • Bottom fishing: Small hooks with bait on bottom

Best Lures

  • Small ice jigs (1/32-1/16 oz)
  • Glow jigs for low light
  • Small chironomids (fly fishing)
  • Flasher/fly combos

Best Bait

  • Maggots (spikes)
  • Wax worms
  • Small minnows
  • Shrimp

Alberta Regulations

Generally liberal limits due to abundance. Often 10+ fish daily on many lakes. A great species for filling the freezer. Excellent smoked.

View Official Regulations β†’

Identification

Silvery body with small, downturned mouth. Adipose fin present. Forked tail. Easily confused with cisco but whitefish have smaller mouths and are more silvery.

Pro Tips

  • Whitefish have small mouthsβ€”use small hooks (#8-#12)
  • They often bite very lightly; sensitive rod tips help
  • Ice fishing is often the best way to target them
  • Look for schools on electronics; they stack up in winter
  • Excellent table fareβ€”smoke or pan fry

Size Information

Average Size: 0.5-1.5 kg (1-3 lb)

WHERE TO CATCH LAKE WHITEFISH IN ALBERTA

Lake Athabasca

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

Lake TroutWalleyeNorthern PikeWhitefish

Lesser Slave Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyeNorthern PikeYellow PerchWhitefish

Lac La Biche

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyeNorthern PikePerchWhitefish

Calling Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyePikeNorthern PikePerch

Sylvan Lake

πŸ“ Central Alberta

WhitefishPikeWalleyePerch

Pigeon Lake

πŸ“ Central Alberta

WalleyeWhitefishPike

Gull Lake

πŸ“ Central Alberta

PikeWalleyeWhitefishNorthern Pike

Wabamun Lake

πŸ“ Central Alberta

Northern PikeWhitefishPerchWalleye (Catch & Release)

Lake Newell

πŸ“ Southern Alberta

WalleyePikeWhitefishNorthern Pike

Barrier Lake

πŸ“ Rockies Alberta

Brown TroutWhitefishRainbow TroutBull Trout

McGregor Lake

πŸ“ Southern Alberta

WalleyeWhitefishPikeNorthern Pike

Amisk Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyePikeWhitefish

Sturgeon Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyeWhitefishPerch

Utikuma Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyePikeWhitefishNorthern Pike

Gregoire Lake

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

WalleyePikePerchNorthern Pike

Jarvis Lake

πŸ“ Rockies Alberta

WhitefishPikePerch

Gregg Lake

πŸ“ Rockies Alberta

WhitefishPike

Gap Lake

πŸ“ Rockies Alberta

TroutWhitefish

French Bay (Cold Lake)

πŸ“ Northern Alberta

Lake TroutWalleyeNorthern PikeWhitefish