25 Whitefish (Read 12666 times)
Old Salt
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Whitefish
Feb 11th, 2016 at 7:20pm
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I know whitefish are present in large numbers in many of the deeper canoe country lakes. I'm wondering if anyone fishes for them, or has caught any, even if accidental? I'm wondering what kinds of lures you used, how deep they were, time of year, any other factors that you can share.

This seems to be an under-used resource, and they are great eating, surpassing waldos in some opinions.

Thanks Cool
  
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Jimbo
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #1 - Feb 12th, 2016 at 7:16pm
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OS -

I've only caught a couple of them in Quetico that I can recall... both on the same trip.  It happened in southern Pickerel Lake, as you begin to approach the portage that leads into the "B Chain" of lakes.  It was about 5 years ago or so.  I believe I was fishing for walleye at the time, running around 15 feet deep with some sort of deeper-diving minnow lure.  The fish were pretty good sized (2-3 pounds, maybe?).  I only recognized them because whitefish were the mainstay of a trip I took down the Allagash Waterway in Maine... back in the dawn of time.  We caught LOTS of them, there.

You're right; whitefish are good eating.  However, these particular fish were tossed back.

FYI

Jimbo   Cool
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #2 - Feb 13th, 2016 at 12:23am
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Thanks Jimbo, this is the kind of information I'm looking for. Do you happen to remember the time of year? I'm guessing those fish were in deeper water and chased your lure? We'll have a conversation at Copia.

Anyone else? Cool
  
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Magicpaddler
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #3 - Feb 13th, 2016 at 8:48am
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I caught one and on the same trip my son caught one.  We were on Saganagons and fishing for walleye with deep diving plugs. I was in early June.
  
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Jimbo
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #4 - Feb 13th, 2016 at 2:18pm
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Old Salt wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 12:23am:
Thanks Jimbo, this is the kind of information I'm looking for. Do you happen to remember the time of year? I'm guessing those fish were in deeper water and chased your lure? We'll have a conversation at Copia.

Anyone else? Cool


OS,

Late July, early August, as I recall.

Jimbo   Cool
  
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Marten
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #5 - Feb 15th, 2016 at 2:04pm
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Years ago in the trout lakes I was just trying to put fish in the pan. I would make my own downrigger by attaching at least 4 ounces of weight about 8 feet up the line from my dardevel. WhenI got moving I kept letting out more and more line so the lure would be way down there. This would put some Lake Trout in the pan and the occasional Whitefish. This was mid-summer.
  
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jimmar
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #6 - Feb 15th, 2016 at 2:57pm
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I've never caught whitefish in Quetico that I recall, but have in Ontario lakes further east. I used small jigging Rapalas, typically used for ice fishing, usually with some live bait. I also remember one year catching a few trolling medium sized original floating Rapalas. I thought it unusual to catch them near the surface.
  
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zski
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #7 - Feb 15th, 2016 at 3:08pm
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never caught one but now i really want to  - Thanks OS
the best fish dinner i can recall outside of quetico was
Pesce Bianco alla Spinaci
Lake Superior whitefish sautéed with baby capers
and shallots in a lemon butter sauce with a side of
fire roasted spinach
Loc: Zaza's Trattoria in St Charles, IL
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #8 - Feb 15th, 2016 at 6:25pm
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zski wrote on Feb 15th, 2016 at 3:08pm:
never caught one but now i really want to  - Thanks OS
the best fish dinner i can recall outside of quetico was
Pesce Bianco alla Spinaci
Lake Superior whitefish sautéed with baby capers
and shallots in a lemon butter sauce with a side of
fire roasted spinach
Loc: Zaza's Trattoria in St Charles, IL


Wink Wink
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Whitefish
Reply #9 - Feb 20th, 2016 at 12:15am
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Me too! My wife and I have been enjoying whitefish dinners the past several years prepared in various North Shore restaurants. Wink Cool
I'm thinking I could duplicate in camp. Wink
  
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