Sheefish, Stenodus leucichthys.

A little known bonus to fishing in Alaska, the sheefish provides our guests with some fantastic fishing.

Common name: Inconnu

Description: large, wide mouth that extends beyond eye; caudal fin is forked; green blue or brown above, changing to light silver or white on sides and below; small non-sharp bands of teeth on top and bottom jaws; have large scales.

Similar fish: Mountain Whitefish, Prosopium williamsoni.

Where found: North America, with migration to Alaska and northern Canada.

Size: reaches 55 pounds and 49 inches.

Remarks: young feed on plankton, after first year becoming predatory; spawning is usually in late fall with the fish sometimes traveling up to 1,000 miles; fish do not feed during spawning season.

This member of the whitefish family nicknamed "Tarpon of the north" averages eight to fifteen pounds with fish up into the 30pound range taken each year. The Sheefish migrate into the Innoko River system throughout June and July to feed heavily on resident salmon smolt and pike fry before their fall migration up the Yukon River to spawn. During this two month feeding frenzy the fishing is generally down right fabulous. But... Because the Sheefish are a main river fish, fishing success is dependent on water clarity. If the main river is muddy, the fishing is tough. If the water clarity provides at least 18 inches of visibility the fishing is typically very good. The tackle required for Sheefish is identical as that for the pike, except on a smaller scale.

The MSTPA sportsman's guide brochure insert will help you plan those dates.