Mountain Whitefish

Though not as important as the lake whitefish, the mountain whitefish has gained some popularity as a sport fish.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH

Like other salmonids, the mountain whitefish has an adipose fin and an axillary process. The mouth, however, is slightly subterminal with the snout extending clearly beyond it. The body is silvery overall. The back is brownish to olive. The scales often have pigmented borders, especially on the back. The ventral and pectoral fins may have an amber hue in adults. The body is nearly cylindrical, but not quite as cylindrical as the body of the round whitefish. It is nevertheless among the species referred to as “round whitefishes”, and is therefore distinguishable from the lake whitefish which has a laterally compressed body.

 

WHERE TO CATCH MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH

The mountain whitefish is endemic to the lakes and streams of the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada, from the Lahontan basin in Nevada north to the southern border of the Yukon Territory. It occurs inland into Alberta in Canada and Wyoming in the United States. Its range overlaps that of the widespread lake whitefish in British Columbia and Alberta, and slightly overlaps that of the round whitefish in extreme northern British Columbia near the Yukon border. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS                     GRADUAL SHORES

ISLANDS OR SAND BARS                                 OUTSIDES OF BENDS

POINTS AND BREAK LINES                              ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS

DAMS AND FALLS                                                    MERGING CURRENTS

SMALL POINTED WAVES                                          STANDING WAVES

CURRENT EDGES                                                     HOLES

FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS                    OPEN WATER

OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES                           RIVERS AND STREAMS

ROCKS                                                          DROP-OFFS

SHORELINE SHALLOWS                                            SPRING HOLES

UNDERCUTS

 

HOW TO CATCH MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH

It can be taken by fly fishing or casting with small baits. It provides a considerable winter fishery in places, particularly where steelheads are absent. The flesh is tasty and of good quality. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

FLY FISHING                               STILL FISHING

BAIT CASTING                                     SPIN CASTING

 

MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

BREAD OR DOUGH BALLS                       FLIES

JIGS                                                    SPOONS

CURED FISH ROE                                  INSECTS

MINNOWS