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Lake Whitefish

Lake Whitefish

Lake Whitefish are members of the salmon family found in Lake Superior and many deep, cool-water lakes in northern Minnesota. They are bottom dwellers with small mouths that require cool, well-oxygenated water and thrive in deep, clear, oligotrophic lakes.

Scientific Name: Coregonus clupeaformis

Also known as Adikameg (Anishinaabe/Ojibwe name)

Physical Characteristics:
  • In Minnesota, they typically weigh 4-6 pounds and measure 15-20 inches, though Lake Superior specimens can exceed 20 pounds.
  • They have small mouths and are bottom dwellers.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found in Lake Superior and many deep, cool-water lakes in northern Minnesota.
  • Thrive in deep, clear, oligotrophic lakes.

Key Locations

  • Lake Superior, Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Burntside, Vermillion, and Snow Bank lakes), Upper Mississippi River drainage lakes (Ball Club, Cass, Leech, and Ten Mile), Lake of the Woods for ice fishing, Lake Vermilion near sharp breaks and oxygen-rich areas, Crane Lake's deeper basins and connected waterways.

Specific Spots

  • Near sharp breaks and oxygen-rich areas, deeper basins, suspended schools in deep water.

Lake Whitefish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Lake Whitefish in Minnesota?

Small spinners, jigs, Dick Nite spoons, Mepps spinners, Cicada Blade Baits, Mack's Sonic Baitfish, small jigs tipped with red salmon e.g.gs, cocktail shrimp, maggots, or waxworms, crappie minnows suspended under a bobber, white-colored jigs.

What flies work for Lake Whitefish in Minnesota?

Small beadhead nymphs like Prince Nymphs (sizes 14-22), Copper Johns, tiny flashy midge patterns, BWO patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Lake Whitefish in Minnesota?

Spring offers excellent fishing opportunities during insect hatches. Winter ice fishing is highly productive. Fall fishing coincides with spawning movement but should focus on pre-spawn periods.

How do you catch Lake Whitefish in Minnesota?

For ice fishing, use spoon and jig combinations - tie a flasher 1-2 feet below the ice, then attach another 1-2 feet of line with a white-colored jig or small minnow. Crappie minnows suspended under a bobber work well anywhere in the water column. Fish suspended schools in deep water using sonar to locate them.

What do Lake Whitefish eat?

Feed primarily on amphipods (sideswimmers), fingernail clams, snails, opossum shrimp, midge larvae, and small fish. Young whitefish start with zooplankton before transitioning to bottom-dwelling insect larvae.

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