Cisco in Saskatchewan
Cisco (sometime called tullibee) is a common fish here in Saskatchewan and are often misidentified as their relative the lake whitefish.
Cisco are a common prey and make up an important part of the food chain for Northern Pike, Walleye, and Lake Trout.
Identifying a Cisco
- Long laterally compressed body
- Large shiny scales
- Forked tail
- Adipose fin
- Terminal, front-facing mouth
- Top and lower jaws are typically of the same length.
Diet
Eats plankton, insects, and small fish.
Spawning
Generally, Ciscos will spawn in the fall in shallow water with eggs hatching in the spring.
Similar Species
- Lake Whitefish are a close relative of the cisco with the main difference being their snouts. The snout of a lake whitefish extends beyond the lower jaw, while the snout of a cisco usually lines up with the lower jaw. Lake whitefish will grow to a larger size then a cisco.
- Round Whitefish are another relative of the cisco and again the main difference is in their snouts.
Details
| Scientific name: | Coregonus artedi |
| Conservation status: | Least Concern |
| Also known as: | northern cisco, lake herring, chub, tullibee |
| Distribution: | Found in 254 waters in Saskatchewan |
Distribution
See where Cisco can be found in Saskatchewan.
All lakes with Cisco
Lakes with Cisco
Learn more about fish species found in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Freshwater Fishes - Waterproof Guide Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes