Freshwater

Sheefish (inconnu)

Inconnu (pescado blanco gigante)

Stenodus nelma

FreshwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

5–20 lb.

Depth

5–30 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: The biggest whitefish: long, silvery body with big scales, an adipose fin, and a large mouth with a jutting lower jaw (unlike other whitefish). Called the 'tarpon of the north' for its jumps.
Typical size: 5–20 lb.
Maximum size: About 5 ft and over 50 lb.
Diet: Fish, especially whitefish and ciscoes.
Behavior: Migrates long distances between river deltas and upriver spawning grounds; feeds heavily in late summer.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Alaska, Yukon, NWT & Nunavut, Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan and Black Sea & Caspian. Big Arctic rivers and lakes: the Kobuk, Selawik, Yukon and Kuskokwim in Alaska, and the Mackenzie River and Great Slave Lake in Canada; also in Arctic Russia.
Habitat: Big Arctic rivers and lakes: the Kobuk, Selawik, Yukon and Kuskokwim in Alaska, and the Mackenzie River and Great Slave Lake in Canada; also in Arctic Russia.
Depth: 5–30 ft.
Fishing depth: 5–15 ft in river channels.
Best season: Late summer and fall; also through the ice in Alaska.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Spoons Net Bear spray

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Big Arctic rivers and lakes: the Kobuk, Selawik, Yukon and Kuskokwim in Alaska, and the Mackenzie River and Great Slave Lake in Canada; also in Arctic Russia.
Rig up: Medium-heavy spinning rod or 8–9 weight fly rod. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Cut fish where allowed. Lures: Big casting spoons, streamers and swimbaits.
Fish it: Cast and retrieve big spoons through deep runs and river mouths where sheefish gather.
Time it: Daytime. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Cast and retrieve big spoons through deep runs and river mouths where sheefish gather.
BigJoe's tip: Sheefish have soft mouths and jump a lot — keep steady pressure.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Rich, white meat, a traditional food in Alaska Native villages; great baked, smoked or dried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Remote country: bears, cold water and long distances from help.
Regulations: Alaska and the Canadian territories set limits; the Kobuk has trophy rules. Check local rules. In Alaska, rules are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (adfg.alaska.gov); in Canada, by each province and territory. Many trout and char waters are single-hook, artificial-lure or catch-and-release only — check before you go.
Conservation: Slow growing; release the big breeders.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits