Alaska Whitefish

Body Type & Identification: Silver-white with small scales, a small toothless mouth, and an adipose fin. Similar to Mountain Whitefish but found exclusively in Alaska and northwestern Canada. A schooling species of cold, clear Arctic lakes and rivers — an important subsistence and recreational species in Alaska.

Preferred Water Temperature: 38°F–55°F. A cold-water Arctic species adapted to the extreme temperatures of Alaskan lake systems. Feeds primarily on invertebrates near the bottom. Schools in large aggregations in lakes and rivers.

Habitat: Lakes, rivers, and streams of interior and western Alaska. Found in clear, cold lake systems throughout the Yukon River drainage and western Alaska drainages. An important subsistence food source for Alaska Native peoples — dried and smoked for winter use.

Best Lures: Small jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) with small soft plastics produce catches. Small spoons work in rivers. Small inline spinners are effective.

Best Baits: Small maggots are the top bait. Salmon eggs work well. Small pieces of worm produce catches. Small hooks with natural bait near bottom in clear, cold Alaska lakes and rivers.

Top 5 Destinations: Minto Flats AK, Yukon Flats NWR AK, Kuskokwim drainage AK, Lake Minchumina AK, Upper Yukon River AK.

Silver-white with small scales, a small toothless mouth, and an adipose fin. Similar to Mountain Whitefish but found exclusively in Alaska and northwestern Canada. A schooling species of cold, clear Arctic lakes and rivers — an important subsistence and recreational species in Alaska.

Lakes, rivers, and streams of interior and western Alaska. Found in clear, cold lake systems throughout the Yukon River drainage and western Alaska drainages. An important subsistence food source for Alaska Native peoples — dried and smoked for winter use.

38°F–55°F. A cold-water Arctic species adapted to the extreme temperatures of Alaskan lake systems. Feeds primarily on invertebrates near the bottom. Schools in large aggregations in lakes and rivers.

Best Lures: Small jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) with small soft plastics produce catches. Small spoons work in rivers. Small inline spinners are effective. Best Baits: Small maggots are the top bait. Salmon eggs work well. Small pieces of worm produce catches. Small hooks with natural bait near bottom in clear, cold Alaska lakes and rivers.

Minto Flats AK, Yukon Flats NWR AK, Kuskokwim drainage AK, Lake Minchumina AK, Upper Yukon River AK.