The Rocky Mountain Whitefish is one of the most underappreciated and underutilized of Alberta's sportfish. They are found in Alberta from the Slave River where it enters the Northwest Territories all the way down to the Montana border. They are associated with flowing waters and are abundant in large rivers, streams and the shallow portions of lakes.

Eating Habits

Rockies feed predominantly at or near the bottom of the water column. Their primary prey include the larvae and pupae of aquatic insects, with stoneflies, mayflies, caddis flies and midges at the top of the list. They will also feed on beetles, ants, mollusks and small fish.

Age and Growth

Rocky Mountain Whitefish are generally caught in the one to three pound class, like the burbot. Bigger Rockies are certainly not uncommon though. The Alberta record is 5 pounds, 10.5 ounces caught on Gap Lake. There is proof of Rockies managing to live up to 18 years of age here in Alberta and many five-pound plus Rocky Mountain Whitefish have been caught here.

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