Sheefish

Body Type & Identification: Large, silver, herring-like body with large scales, a deeply forked tail, and large eyes. A member of the whitefish family — sometimes called "Inconnu" (French for "unknown"). The largest member of the whitefish family — trophy fish exceed 50 lbs. Silver-white to pale green. A prized Alaska and Yukon sport fish.

Preferred Water Temperature: 42°F–58°F. A cold-water Arctic and sub-Arctic species found in clear, cold rivers and lakes of Alaska and Canada. Migratory — moves from freshwater lakes upriver to spawn in fall. The largest predatory member of the whitefish family — actively pursues fish prey.

Habitat: Large rivers and lakes of Alaska and northwestern Canada — the Selawik, Kobuk, Kuskokwim, and other drainages of western Alaska. Also found in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. A uniquely predatory whitefish that actively chases and eats other fish — more like a large trout in behavior than other whitefish.

Best Lures: Large spoons and spinners produce strong strikes. Large swimbaits work very well. Large inline spinners (Mepps) produce excellent results. Bright flashy lures in silver and chartreuse work well.

Best Baits: Large whole smelt are excellent live and dead bait. Large chunks of whitefish produce results. Live small Arctic grayling are used in some fisheries. Light to medium tackle with 10–20 lb line is appropriate.

Top 5 Destinations: Selawik Lake AK, Kobuk River AK, Kuskokwim River AK, Great Slave Lake NWT Canada, Yukon River AK.

Large, silver, herring-like body with large scales, a deeply forked tail, and large eyes. A member of the whitefish family — sometimes called "Inconnu" (French for "unknown"). The largest member of the whitefish family — trophy fish exceed 50 lbs. Silver-white to pale green. A prized Alaska and Yukon sport fish.

Large rivers and lakes of Alaska and northwestern Canada — the Selawik, Kobuk, Kuskokwim, and other drainages of western Alaska. Also found in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. A uniquely predatory whitefish that actively chases and eats other fish — more like a large trout in behavior than other whitefish.

42°F–58°F. A cold-water Arctic and sub-Arctic species found in clear, cold rivers and lakes of Alaska and Canada. Migratory — moves from freshwater lakes upriver to spawn in fall. The largest predatory member of the whitefish family — actively pursues fish prey.

Best Lures: Large spoons and spinners produce strong strikes. Large swimbaits work very well. Large inline spinners (Mepps) produce excellent results. Bright flashy lures in silver and chartreuse work well. Best Baits: Large whole smelt are excellent live and dead bait. Large chunks of whitefish produce results. Live small Arctic grayling are used in some fisheries. Light to medium tackle with 10–20 lb line is appropriate.

Selawik Lake AK, Kobuk River AK, Kuskokwim River AK, Great Slave Lake NWT Canada, Yukon River AK.