What is this fish?

outrage · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 1:18 pm

I caught this at Big Bar Shoal this morning. It is 15 inches long. What is it?

West Lake Willows · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:04 pm

It is either a cisco (also called a lake herring) or white fish. Both species are out there. I don't catch enough of either of them to be able to tell the difference. It has something to do with with their mouths but I can't remember and the shadow makes it hard to zoom in and see the moth on your picture.

EDIT*** Here is a great article I just found helping to identify the two. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/baudette/whitefish.html

Scott

outrage · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:21 pm

Thanks Scott! This one's lower jaw was half ripped off, so we'll never know for sure. I found it when checking for weeds. Who knows how long I towed it around for..

West Lake Willows · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:30 pm

No worries, I am sure someone who see's both species a lot would be able to tell just by looking at the fish. I've caught quite a few Cisco near the Gap so I know they are out there. I got a huge one last fall it was pretty cool. I also know a few whitefish that have been caught there too, so I always have to lookup what the difference is as it is only happens once or twice every couple of years for me. I think the guys on Simcoe see both species fairly regularly so hopefully someone can jump on and solve the mystery for us.

Scott

EvesR · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:20 am

That is a cisco (lake herring). Bottom jaw is longer than the top. The whitefish have a recessed bottom jaw.

outrage · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:14 am

If I ever catch another, is there any reason to keep it? Nice bait for Musky perhaps?

polliwogg · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:27 am

Fished them for hours of West point once before I finally caught one and found out what they were. You can tell what they are on the sonar because they swim in formation more distinct than anything else I've seen.

Napanee · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2010 1:01 pm **Posts:** 226

I have ran into one guide, that works near Kelowna BC, that claimed that a freshwater ling, held in the water column in a very unique manner. Anyone seen that back home by chance? Allegedly it was sort of at a vertical angle as opposed to horizontal. I have not observed this, but found it like many things, interesting to note.

Napanee

geo pet · **Joined:** Fri May 18, 2007 4:42 pm **Posts:** 54

looks like a white fish to me

HOME	Bait&Tackle	Bed&Breakfast	Boat Rentals	Campgrounds	Contact Us
Cottage Rentals	Guides/Fishing Charters	Hotels/Motels	Hunting Supplies	Ice Huts/Ice Guides	Marinas
Outfitters	QUINTE FISHING SERIES	Resorts	Tourism	Trailer Parks	Launches

Quinte Fishing

What is this fish?

Who is online