Freshwater · Fall spawning runs best; September to November, plus winter ice fishing

Humpback Whitefish

Coregonus pidschian

A circumpolar whitefish of Alaska and Siberia, named for the pronounced hump behind the head of adults. A bottom feeder with a downward mouth, it is a valued food and subsistence fish of big northern rivers and lakes, taken on small baits, jigs and through the ice.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Humpback Whitefish — Photo: USFWS, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Pronounced hump behind the head in adults, deepening with age
Small downward mouth under a blunt snout, built for bottom feeding
Deep, silvery body with small scales, a forked tail and an adipose fin
Dark olive-brown back shading to silver sides and a white belly
Stouter and deeper-bodied than most other whitefish

Habits

Feeds on the bottom on insect larvae, snails, clams and crustaceans
Moves up rivers in fall to spawn over gravel in October and November
Holds in deep lake water in summer and shallower water in winter
Circumpolar in range, found across Alaska and northern Siberia
An important traditional food fish for northern communities

Distribution

Fairbanks, AK · Alaska★ Primary

Anchorage, AK · AlaskaCommon

Juneau, AK · AlaskaCommon

Where to find them

Yukon and Kuskokwim river channels in fall
Large interior Alaska lakes in winter, through the ice
Southeast Alaska river mouths and lake outlets in fall

Where they live

Big northern rivers such as the Yukon and KuskokwimDeep, cold lakes of interior AlaskaSlow lower-river channels and lake outlets

How to catch them

Small jigs and baits in big northern rivers and lakes River

Rig: Medium-light rod, small jig or baited size 6-8 hook fished on or near the bottom in slow channels and lake basins

Bait/lure: Jigs tipped with bait, small fish pieces or roe

Key tip: Fish deep and slow — this is a bottom feeder, so keep the bait down and watch for soft takes.

Ice fishing and fall spawning-run fishing Lake

Rig: Short ice rod or medium-light rod, small jig or spoon jigged just off the bottom; in fall, fish slow pools below spawning gravel

Bait/lure: Small jigs, spoons and bait pieces

Key tip: In the fall run, fish at dawn in slow water near gravel — whitefish spook easily in clear, shallow water.

Best baits & lures

Small jigs tipped with baitSmall pieces of fish or roe on small hooksSmall spoons and spinners fished deep

Techniques for Humpback Whitefish →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium-light 6-7 ft spinning rod; short ice rod in winter
Line: 6-10 lb mono
Terminal: Size 6-8 hooks, small jigs and spoons, split shot

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 14-20 in, 1-3 lb (0.5-1.4 kg); large fish to about 24 in

On the table

Good — white, flaky flesh, prized fresh and smoked where keeping is legal.

Similar species

Lake WhitefishLake whitefish grows larger and lacks the pronounced hump behind the head; humpback is deeper-bodied with a stronger hump as an adult

Bering CiscoBering cisco is much smaller and more slender, with a longer lower jaw; humpback whitefish is deep, humped and has a small downward mouth

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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