Freshwater · Best during fall runs, September to October; also taken under the ice

Broad Whitefish

Coregonus nasus

The broad whitefish is a staple food fish of the Mackenzie River and delta — a mainstay for Indigenous and local fishers of the Mackenzie system. It runs upriver to spawn in fall; anglers take it on small jigs under the ice and on small baited hooks in fall rivers, though most harvest is by subsistence netting.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Broad Whitefish — Photo: L. M. Turner, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons (Historical scientific illustration — the only clear Commons image of this species.)

Identifying features

Broad, deep body with a short, blunt head
Small mouth placed low — underslung for bottom feeding
Blunt snout, shorter than in lake whitefish
Silvery sides with a darker olive-brown back
Small adipose fin like other whitefish

Habits

A mainstay food fish for Indigenous and local fishers of the Mackenzie system
Makes fall spawning runs up rivers in September and October
Feeds on the bottom on insects, molluscs and small crustaceans
Most harvest is by subsistence netting rather than angling
Moves into deeper water and is taken under the ice in winter

Distribution

Yellowknife, NT · Northwest Territories & Nunavut★ Primary

Whitehorse, YT · YukonCommon

Fairbanks, AK · AlaskaCommon

Where to find them

Fall runs in the Mackenzie River and delta
Deep holes and channels in the delta under the ice
Arctic lakes in Yukon and the Northwest Territories

Where they live

The Mackenzie River and its delta channelsArctic lakes and slow river reachesCoastal and estuarine waters near river mouths

How to catch them

Ice jigging under the ice River

Rig: Short ice rod, small jigs or tiny spoons jigged near bottom over deep delta channels and lakes

Bait/lure: Small jigs tipped with bait

Key tip: Fish close to the bottom — broad whitefish feed on the bottom, so keep the jig just above it.

Small baited hooks in fall rivers River

Rig: Light spinning rod, small hooks or tiny spinners tipped with bait in slow river stretches during fall runs

Bait/lure: Small pieces of worm or fish, tiny spinners

Key tip: Fish slow, deep holes in fall; bites are delicate, so set the hook early.

Best baits & lures

Small jigs tipped with baitTiny spoons under the iceSmall pieces of worm or fish

Techniques for Broad Whitefish →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light spinning or short ice rod
Line: 4-8 lb mono
Terminal: Small jigs, tiny spoons, fine hooks

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 12-18 in; large fish to about 24 in

On the table

Excellent — rich, oily white flesh; a prized food fish in the North.

Similar species

Lake WhitefishLake whitefish is more southerly and deeper-bodied; broad whitefish has a shorter, blunter head with a more underslung mouth and is confined to Arctic drainages

Sheefish (Inconnu)Sheefish is a large predatory whitefish with a protruding lower jaw; broad whitefish is a small-mouthed bottom feeder

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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