Overview Species Guide Regulations Licenses Fisheries Data

Cisco

Also known as

Lake Herring, Tullibee, Freshwater Cisco, Northern Cisco

About the Cisco

Cisco are sleek, silvery members of the salmon family, typically ranging from 10 to 15 inches in length, though larger specimens exist. They possess a streamlined body, relatively large scales, and a small mouth, distinguishing them from true herrings. Anglers can identify them by their characteristic adipose fin, common to salmonids, and a deeply forked tail ideal for pelagic swimming.

Source: FishBase & iNaturalist

Habitat

These cold-water fish thrive in deep, clear, and oxygen-rich freshwater lakes, particularly those formed by glacial activity. They primarily inhabit the open-water (pelagic) zones, preferring cooler temperatures, but may move into shallower areas during spawning or foraging expeditions.

Distribution

Cisco are widely distributed across the northern United States and Canada, with significant populations found in the Great Lakes basin and extending westward through the northern prairie provinces and into Alaska. Their presence is often restricted to specific deep, cold lakes suitable for their survival.

Behaviour

Cisco are schooling fish, primarily feeding on zooplankton, insect larvae, and small crustaceans, occasionally preying on small fish. They exhibit daily vertical migrations, ascending to shallower waters to feed during twilight hours or at night and retreating to cooler, deeper waters during the day. Spawning typically occurs in late autumn or early winter over rocky or gravelly shoals.

Edibility

★★★★★

Cisco are highly regarded for their delicate, flaky white meat and mild, sweet flavor, often considered less oily than other salmonids. They are excellent smoked, pan-fried, or baked, making them a sought-after table fish, especially when caught from cold waters.

Lure suggestion

Anglers effectively target Cisco using small spoons, jigging spoons, or tiny soft plastics, often tipped with a minnow head or wax worm, fished vertically in the water column. Small, weighted flies or crappie jigs can also be successful, especially when ice fishing for suspended schools in deep basins.