Lake Whitefish

Description
Lake whitefish have large scales, no spots, and small mouths without teeth. Generally, the body is olive green to light brown, not silvery. Their bodies are robust, not sleek. Lake whitefish are not native to Idaho. They were planted in Lake Pend Oreille and are abundant there today.

Life History
Adults congregate in the fall and early winter to spawn. They spawn well above the bottom of the lake and the eggs sink slowly. After hatching in the lake, the young whitefish continue to live deep in the lake. They travel in schools and grow rapidly.

Feeding Habits
Lake whitefish feed on zooplankton. They thrive on a particular invertebrate, the mysis shrimp, which is abundant in Lake Pend Oreille.

Angling Techniques
Summer is the preferred angling season. Most anglers use a boat to get out in the lake, and handline with bait or small jigs. Often anglers must get the lure 100 feet down to reach the fish. Fishing from a dock can be successful in the fall.