Whitefish
RareFreshwater
Prefers cold, deep water and feeds mainly after dark, making it a favorite target through the ice in late fall and winter. A small jig tipped with bait fished near bottom outproduces anything fished higher in the water column.
Profile
- Fight: 4/10
- Trophy: 3/10
- Wariness: 5/10
- Abundance: 5/10
- Aggression: 3/10
- Table: 7/10
- Typical weight
- 1.1–4.4 lbs (0.5–2.0 kg)
- Record
- 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg)
Season
- Jan: 40%
- Feb: 40%
- Mar: 30%
- Apr: 20%
- May: 15%
- Jun: 15%
- Jul: 15%
- Aug: 20%
- Sep: 35%
- Oct: 55%
- Nov: 65%
- Dec: 50%
Seasonality shown is typical for temperate North America — your local waters may vary.
Time of day
- 12 AM: 70%
- 1 AM: 78%
- 2 AM: 82%
- 3 AM: 85%
- 4 AM: 80%
- 5 AM: 55%
- 6 AM: 25%
- 7 AM: 12%
- 8 AM: 8%
- 9 AM: 6%
- 10 AM: 5%
- 11 AM: 5%
- 12 PM: 6%
- 1 PM: 6%
- 2 PM: 7%
- 3 PM: 8%
- 4 PM: 12%
- 5 PM: 20%
- 6 PM: 35%
- 7 PM: 55%
- 8 PM: 70%
- 9 PM: 80%
- 10 PM: 78%
- 11 PM: 74%
Conditions
Temp39–54°F (4–12°C)
Depth13–49 ft (4–15 m)
PressureStable
LightLow light
Lures
Tips
- Late fall and winter, including through the ice, are the most productive times.
- Fish a small jig tipped with bait close to bottom in deep, cold water.
- Feeding activity picks up after dark — plan an evening trip when possible.
Live bite index for your spot
Vobbl scores today’s weather against this species’ profile, hour by hour, wherever you fish.