Lake Superior has an expansive and healthy fishery with something for almost everyone. Yet the two species most available to anglers on the North Shore of Superior are the lake whitefish and the lake herring. These fish are plentiful and are found in all bays. They also are great eating. Here’s some information on how to identify each fish and how to catch them.
Lake Whitefish
The lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) is a plentiful fish in Lake Superior and can top 30 inches and 10 pounds. The average whitefish, however, is 20-22 inches and 4-5 pounds. Whitefish are a bottom dweller and can live in very deep water of 100 feet or more. Whitefish on the feed will often move from the depths into shallower water from 20 to 30 feet or less. Young whitefish eat zooplankton and begin to include small bottom-dwelling insect larvae. As adults, whitefish eat scuds, fingernail clams, snails, midge larvae, and a variety of small fish. In many parts of northern Lake Superior, the larger whitefish will primarily eat smelt. It is not uncommon to open a larger whitefish and find a belly full of smelt ranging from 1-4 inches.
The lake whitefish is a slender, streamlined species with a mouth that is subterminal and a snout that protrudes beyond it. The tail of a whitefish is forked, and they have an adipose fin like trout or salmon. Whitefish are silvery in color with an olive green back. The fins are white, and the tail has a dark edge. Whitefish also have a smell that some say is like a cucumber. The head of a whitefish is small in relation to the length of the body, but it can open its smallish mouth remarkably wide.
Whitefish Fishing Techniques
Lake Superior whitefish are aggressive. This is particularly true at first light. Anglers who have fished them in some of the lower Great Lakes using shiners or small jigs, might be shocked to know how hard Lake Superior fish will smack a 1/2-ounce silver Swedish Pimple or Hopkins Smoothie. Because whitefish are chasing smelt, a silver jigging spoon can do real damage. I’ve also caught whitefish on smaller white tube jigs, especially when they have a small stinger hook off the main jig hook. Use a jig head on the lighter side, like 1/8-ounce to 1/4-ounce. If you want to use a set line with bait, I’d recommend a 2-3-inch minnow on a lightweight jig head or single hook and split shot. Although I’ve found jigging spoons the most effective technique, a fish or two can be caught on live bait. Shiner minnows are especially effective, where available.
Lake Herring
Lake herring (Coregonus artedi) are a vital and ecologically significant fish species in Lake Superior. They play a major role in the lake’s ecosystem as both a prey and predator species.
The lake herring and lake whitefish look similar. However, the lower jaw on a herring protrudes slightly beyond the upper jaw and the upper jaw reaches to the front of the pupil. Herring eat zooplankton, insects, and smaller fish. They are, in turn, the source of protein for lake trout, coaster brook trout, burbot, northern pike, walleye, and salmon. Herring can live up to 20 years and occasionally produce strong year classes that will dominate the fishery. In 2022, the lake herring spawn on Superior was a record breaker, and chinook salmon exploded in size feeding on them (at least on the Canadian side). Quite a difference from the 1940s and 1950s, when overharvest and the arrival of rainbow smelt in Superior sent the herring population spiraling down. However, the slow but steady decline of smelt in Lake Superior has helped herring rebound.
Herring are a slender, silver fish and are known for their schooling behavior. They are often found high in the water column, making them an intriguing target for ice anglers who enjoy sight fishing. It is common to see several dozen herring in a school below a large ice fishing hole. Like whitefish, herring can be quite aggressive.
Fishing Techniques
Lake herring appreciate a little flash and movement, so small spoons of 1/4-ounce or even less can be very effective. I’ve used small Hopkins spoons, Swedish Pimples, and Pilkii spoons with good success. Light jigging spoons with small dropper chains and then a hook with a bead or a pearl can also be effective. The 5/16-ounce VMC Rocker spoon has worked for me, as have a handful of light, silver European spoons. Very light flutter spoons, like the 2 3/4-inch ACME Super Smelt are deadly when fished on light tackle. The slow flutter and fall of this light spoon triggers herring. I’ll often use perch weight rods and line (2-4-pound test monofilament) when herring fishing, as it allows you to get the most out of the fish. Herring will often take swings at a spoon a few times before they hook up. You will learn how to tease them into striking, especially if you can see them. Just remember that they will often be closer to the ice than the bottom. That’s why electronics are not as effective when fishing herring as they can be for whitefish. If you don’t like using technology when fishing, herring will be your jam.
Good luck and have fun chasing Lake Superior’s two most prolific winter fish.
