Lake Whitefish
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Name and Code
Family
Salmonidae - trouts and salmons
Species
Coregonus clupeaformis
Taxonomic Authority
(Mitchill 1818)
Common Name(s)
Lake Whitefish
French Name
grand corégone
Species Code
091
Family TSN
161931
Parent TSN
161932
Species TSN
161941
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2015-08-17)
National Rank (NRank)
N5B, N5N, N5M (2017-12-28)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S5 (2009-03-23)
COSEWIC Status
Data Deficient1 (May 2005)
SARO Status
Threatened2, Extinct3 (2020)
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
(1) Lake Simcoe population; (2) Opeongo Lake large-bodied and small-bodied populations; (3) Como Lake large-bodied and small-bodied populations
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native
General Abundance
common
Tolerance
intolerant
Economic Importance
commercial fishery; sport fish
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.6857
Slope (b)
3.2462
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Environment
benthic
Trophic Class
invertivore/carnivore
Thermal Regime
coldwater
Habitat Preference
cool waters (18-37 m) of lakes and large rivers, below the thermocline; preferred water temperature range 8-14°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Nonguarders: Open substratum spawners: Litho-pelagophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Spawning Season
fall
Spawning Month(s)
October-December
Spawning Temperature (°C)
1-8
Fecundity
5,958-121,700
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
38.1-74.9 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.5-4.4
Age at Maturity (yrs)
4-7
Maximum Length (cm)
91.4 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
11.8
Lifespan (yrs)
12-28
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
74.9 TL
Record Weight (kg)
6.97
Ontario Range Map
Lake Whitefish range
Ontario Distribution
widespread throughout the province including the Great Lakes and coastal waters of Hudson Bay
Photographs
Lake Whitefish photograph
Lake Whitefish photograph
Notes
hybrids with Cisco called "mule whitefish"; dwarf forms are known; coastal populations may be amphidromous
Information Sources
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