Trout & Salmon
Mountain Whitefish
Prosopium williamsoni
FreshwaterSalmonidaeLeast Concern
About
The Mountain Whitefish is a slender, torpedo-shaped fish adapted to fast-flowing streams and rivers. They possess a small, nearly horizontal mouth and a small adipose fin, typical of the salmon family. They are bottom feeders, often found in clear, cold waters.
- Average size
- 12-20 inches, 1-3 lbs
- Colors
- Silvery with a darker olive-brown or bluish back; fins are typically clear or slightly dusky.
- Diet
- Primarily benthic invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, and mollusks; also consumes some plant matter and fish eggs.
- Region
- Western North America, including the Rocky Mountain states (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho) and Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon).