Species profile
Pygmy Whitefish
Prosopium coulterii
Identify Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulterii) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulterii) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 12 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Montana, and Ontario the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- One of the smallest whitefishes in North America, rarely exceeding 25 cm (10 inches).
- Inhabits cold, deep lakes in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains.
- Feeds primarily on tiny aquatic invertebrates and zooplankton.
- Rarely encountered by anglers due to its preference for deep, cold lake habitat.
Where Pygmy Whitefish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Pygmy Whitefish
Background
The pygmy whitefish (Prosopium coulterii) is a freshwater whitefish of the genus Prosopium in the family Salmonidae. Found in the mountain streams and lakes in western North America, it also has isolated populations in Lake Superior and in Ekityki Lake, Chukchi Peninsula.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Pygmy Whitefish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Pygmy Whitefish?
Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulterii) is a bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Pygmy Whitefish?
Pygmy Whitefish is Prosopium coulterii.
Is Pygmy Whitefish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Pygmy Whitefish has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Pygmy Whitefish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Pygmy Whitefish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.