inconnu
Species Facts

Science Name: Stenodus leucichthys
Other Names: Sheefish, conny, Eskimo tarpon, shovelnose whitefish
Ideal Temp: 48 to 50
Description

Overall silvery coloration; small teeth on upper an d lower jaw and on roof of mouth; lower jaw projects beyond upper.

Subspecies Although there are two subspecies of inconnu, only on is found in North America. The other is found near the Caspian Sea.

Hybrids Inconnu occasionally hybridize with ciscoes and lake whitefish.

Sporting Quality Easily caught during the downstream migration in fall. Best lures are spoons and small spinners, but inconnu will take streamers. Small inconnu tend to leap when hooked, accounting for the name â??Eskimo tarponâ?쳌; big ones make deep, powerful runs.

Habitat Inconnu are anadromous in coastal rivers, but are also found in oligotrophic lakes. Lake-dwelling inconnu migrate up tributary streams in summer (probably a spawning run), and return to the lake in late fall. Inconnu prefer water temperatures from 48 to 50F.

Food Habits The diet consist almost entirely of small fish, at times including northern pike. Salmon, and even their own young.

Spawning Habits Spawn in fall in rivers, beginning when water temperatures drop to the upper 30s. They do not build redds, but scatter the eggs over rubble where they sink into the crevices. An individual inconnu spawns only once every 3 to 4 years.

Age and Growth Maximum age is probably about 20 years, although few live longer than 13. Because of their predatory habits, they grow faster than any other type of whitefish. The average inconnu weighs 5 to 10 pounds.