Description:

These two species of native fish are indistinguishable below 10 inches in length. The Bonneville whitefish have gray-blue spots along their sides. These whitefish are elongated, relatively cylindrical fish. They are silvery-white along their sides grading into a charcoal gray to black on their backs. They have small delicate mouths that make them difficult to catch. Bonneville whitefish may reach four pounds and grow to 20 inches. Both species occur only in Bear Lake and nowhere else in the world. Click here if you were looking for Mountain Whitefish.

Whitefish are part of the trout family (Salmonidae). They have one distinguishing characteristic that puts them there and that is an adipose fin. The Bonneville whitefish are "cousins" with the mountain whitefish, which are found in many streams and some lakes here in Utah and the western US. Bonneville Whitefish have very large mouths compared to their cousins and for a good reason. Bonneville Whitefish are predators once they reach about 14" or so, whereas the Mountain Whitefish eat pretty much just insects their whole life.

Whitefish are not chubs. However, whitefish have a ton of common (colloquial) names. Some of the more common ones are: herring, cisco, tulibee, rounds, Menominee, and whiteys.

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