Science Name: | Coregonus artedii |
Other Names: | Tullibee, herring, lake herring |
Ideal Temp: | 55 F |
Forms The ciscoâ??s size and shape vary greatly from one body of water to another. Some northern lakes support a dwarf form. At one time, as many as 24 subspecies were recognized, but most taxonomists now recognize none.
Hybrids Ciscoes hybridize with lake whitefish, inconnu and other closely related fishes like the round whitefish and bloater.
Table Quality The white meat is oily, but excellent when smoked. In some waters, however, the flesh is heavily infested with tapeworm larvae.
Sporting Qualities When ciscoes are taking mayflies on the surface, they can easily be caught on flies. Ice fishing for ciscoes is becoming more popular in many areas. The usual bait is a teardrop jig bated with a grub, but some are caught on small minnows. Ciscoes are not strong fighters.
Habitat Found mainly in deep, cold, oligotrophic lakes, but can survive in mesotrophic lakes with adequate oxygen in the depths. They inhabit some rivers in the far North. Ciscoes do not relate to any particular type of bottom but are constantly on the move in search of plankton. In summer, they normally cruise just below the thermocline, but will come to the surface in the morning and evening to feed on insects. They prefer a water temperature of about 55F.
Food Habits Primarily plankton feeders, ciscoes will also eat fish eggs and fry, small crustaceans, and a variety of adult and larval insects.
Spawning Habits Spawn in fall when water temperatures are dropping. Spawning activity begins at about 40F and peaks at about 38. Ciscoes spawn a week or two later than lake whitefish. They scatter their eggs over a rock or gravel bottom, then abandon them. The eggs hatch the following spring.
Age and Growth Ciscoes have been known to live as long as 13 years, but few live longer than 8. Males and females grow at about the same rate, but females live longer.