Sheefish: Alaska Fish Species Guide

Sheefish are silver colored with large scales. Their lower jaw extends past the upper jaw. They are the largest member of the whitefish family and have garnered the moniker “Tarpon of the North” because of their resemblance.

Sheefish can grow quite large. The Kobuk / Selawik stock of northwestern Alaska can reach 50 pounds and 40 inches. Sheefish in most other rivers are much smaller, with fish in the 10- to 20-pound range. They can live to 30+ years old. Both anadromous and resident sheefish live in Alaska. 

When and Where to Fish

Known sheefish hot spots are the Kobuk, Selawik, Yukon, Aniak, Holitna and Kuskokwim rivers. The anadromous sheefish that live in these rivers tend to overwinter in saltwater bays, and return in the spring to feed. Angling for those fish normally takes place in June through August. Some northwest Alaska residents catch sheefish through the saltwater ice in winter. They are an important food source, and very delicious to eat.

Sheefish Tips and Gear

Sheefish are fish eaters. They consume herring, smelt, and juvenile fish of most other fish species, including sheefish. ADF&G says that sheefish caught through the sea ice in the winter near Kotzebue are full of herring. With this concept in mind, anglers often target sheefish with spoons using conventional gear, and baitfish patterns on fly rods. Sheefish often hold in the deeper runs of a river, and prospecting these runs with big spoons and fly patterns is a good starting point. Sometimes sheefish will give you an indication that they are present, and roll or jump. Due to the fact that they are big, powerful fish, you’ll need to choose your rod and reel to match the average fish present in the river that you are fishing. Step up to a bigger rod if you are fishing the Kobuk or Selawik drainages. A 10 weight fly rod, and spinning rod rated for 15- to 30-pound-test is not overkill. On rivers like the Yukon or Kuskokwim, where the average sheefish is smaller, an 8 weight fly rod and spinning rod rated for 10- to 20-pound-test should do the trick. Match the rods with appropriate reels; weight forward floating line for fly rods and 30-pound-test braid for conventional setups. A 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader will give you sufficient strength to land most any sheefish.

Rivers:

• Kobuk
• Selwaik
• Yukon
• Aniak
• Holitna
• Kuskokwim

Always check current area ADF&G regulations before fishing.