Could annual whitefish bite occur?

The annual whitefish bite that many anglers look forward to is behind schedule and may not occur at all, according to some local experts.

The bite usually happens in late July when the fish feed on adolescent perch, a food source otherwise too large for the fishes’ relatively small mouths.

“When they get the opportunity to eat fish, they go into what seems like a feeding frenzy,” said Barry Hansen, a fish biologist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

These bites only occur in years in which perch have very successful reproduction, which, if the perch fishing this spring was any indication, Hansen said the bite should have taken place on schedule.

Hansen said it still could happen, though he admitted that it would be later than usual.

Dick Zimmer of Zimmer Bait and Tackle in Pablo said the bite should begin between July 20 and 25. He expects that it will not occur at all this year.

“The one thing that hasn’t seemed to materialize is the perch coming in that they feed on,” Zimmer said. “I’m not sure if anybody is catching any perch.”

He hypothesized that since perch fishing seemed so good earlier in the season, something—like a disease—has depleted the seemingly abundant perch population.

Zimmer said that anglers are catching whitefish in the Narrows area at depths ranging from 40 to 120 feet, fairly shallow for the cold water-seeking whitefish.

“One guy said he’s had the best fishing he’s had in the Narrows area in a long time,” Zimmer said. “I don’t think that revolves around the perch. I think that relies on something else.”

Hansen noted that another contributing factor could be the notable lack of mayflies breeding in the lake this year. The mayflies and midges, along with clams, are usually a main food source for whitefish.

Hansen said that whitefish are the most abundant, albeit elusive, game fish in Flathead Lake but said that they are tough to fool with most lures.