Species profile
Round Whitefish
Prosopium cylindraceum
Identify Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 10 (Michigan); the most generous is 12 (Illinois).
Confirmed by 93 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Alaska, Ontario, and Yukon the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for its distinctly cylindrical body cross-section — unusual among salmonids.
- Ranges across northern North America from Alaska east to the Great Lakes.
- Can live up to 14 years in cold, clear lakes and streams.
- Typically reaches 25–45 cm (10–18 inches) in length.
- Feeds on invertebrates and aquatic insects along the bottom.
Where Round Whitefish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Round Whitefish
Background
The round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a freshwater species of fish that is found in lakes from Alaska to New England, including the Great Lakes. It has an olive-brown back with light silvery sides and underside and its length is generally between 9 and 19 inches (23 and 48 cm). They are bottom feeders, feeding mostly on invertebrates, such as crustaceans, insect larvae, and fish eggs.…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Round Whitefish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Round Whitefish?
Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a bony-fish species regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Round Whitefish?
Round Whitefish is Prosopium cylindraceum.
Is Round Whitefish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Round Whitefish has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Round Whitefish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Round 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.