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Photo by Scott Tolentino
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Bonneville Whitefish
Prosopium spilonotus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G3
State (S-rank): S1
External links
Species range
This species is confined to Bear Lake, Rich County, Utah, and Bear Lake County, Idaho (Lee et al. 1980, Sigler and Miller 1963, Sigler and Sigler 1987, 1996).
Habitat
McConnell et al. (1957) judged from stomach contents of this species that it exploits a wider variety of habitats and depths than its congeners in Bear Lake. They found that young tended to inhabit deep water, being most commonly captured at depths from 40 to 100 feet. They found adults in shallow water, sometimes near stream mouths. Spawning usually occurs over rocky shallows, but may occur over sandy points when rocky habitats are exposed during periods of low water.
Food habits
The Bonneville Whitefish primarily feeds on aquatic invertebrates like chironomid(midge) larvae, as well as insect and fish eggs.
Threats or limiting factors
Threats may include development (affecting water quality) and recreational use of Bear Lake, limited fishing for this species, and introduced predatory sport fishes.
