Bonneville whitefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bonneville whitefish |
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The Bonneville whitefish (Prosopium spilonotus) is a type of salmonid fish. This means it's related to salmon and trout. It lives only in Bear Lake, which is on the border between Utah and Idaho.
This fish is one of three special kinds of Prosopium fish that live only in Bear Lake. The other two are the Bear Lake whitefish and the Bonneville cisco. Because it's so unique to this one lake, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources lists it as a Wildlife Species of Concern. This means they are watching it closely to make sure it stays healthy.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Bonneville whitefish looks a lot like its close relative, the Bear Lake whitefish. It is mostly whitish in color. Its nose is a bit more pointed than the Bear Lake whitefish. Also, its scales are smaller.
Younger Bonneville whitefish, up to about 10 inches (25 cm) long, have cool spots on their bodies. These spots fade away as the fish get older. These fish can grow up to 22 inches (56 cm) long. They can also live for about eight years.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Eat?
Bonneville whitefish usually live in the middle parts of Bear Lake. They mostly eat tiny insect larvae and pupae called chironomids. They also eat other kinds of insects they find in the water.
Sometimes, these fish move into shallower parts of the lake. This happens more often during the winter months. Older fish also seem to prefer shallower water more than younger ones.
How Do They Reproduce?
Bonneville whitefish lay their eggs from mid-February to early March. They choose rocky or sandy areas in the lake for this. When a female is ready to lay eggs, about 5 to 6 males will join her. The whole process of laying eggs only takes about 5 to 15 seconds. After that, the fish rejoin their group.
Fishing for Bonneville Whitefish
Even though some Bonneville whitefish are caught with fishing rods, they are not a very popular fish for anglers (people who fish with a hook and line). However, many of them are caught using special nets called gill nets. These nets are usually placed in the lake at depths of 40 to 100 feet (about 12 to 30 meters).
See also
In Spanish: Prosopium spilonotus para niños
Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Prosopium spilonotus" in FishBase. February 2012 version.
