Common name:Mountain Whitefish
Family:Salmonidae
Species:Prosopium williamsoni
Description:The mountain whitefish maintains an average length of 8-12 inches and the world record weight is 4 pounds 7 ounces. The overall coloration is silvery with light or dark brown or olive on the back.
Habitat:Whitefish are found in North America from the Mackenzie River drainage in Northwest Territory, Canada south through western Canada and northwestern USA in the Pacific, Hudson Bay and upper Missouri River basins to Truckee River drainage in Nevada and Sevier River drainage in Utah, USA. They prefer large lakes or large rivers where they are generally found in deep pools and the form schools of up to several hundred fish. They bottom feeders consuming aquatic insects and are in direct competition with trout.
Range/migration:They are considered to be a barometer of good water quality and have adapted well to the barrage of habitat alteration in the subbasin.
Food:Mountain Whitefish feed primarily on bottom-dwelling aquatic insects, but will also feed on terrestrial insects on the surface. They have also been known to feed on other smaller fish and on fish eggs.
Reproduction:Spawning occurs in the late fall or early winter. No nest is prepared and each female lays 1500-7000 eggs.
Enemies:Bears, fishers, and larger type of meat eating fish.
More information:
www.bcadventure.com/adven#27755
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/water-fish/species/fish-coldnative.shtml