Bonneville Cisco
Prosopium gemmifer
A small, slender silver whitefish found nowhere on earth but Bear Lake on the Idaho-Utah border, the Bonneville cisco is the lake's signature fish. Rarely longer than seven or eight inches, it has a streamlined trout-like body, a small mouth, an adipose fin and large silvery scales over an olive-green back. Each January and early February huge spawning schools crowd the eastern shore, where anglers famously scoop them with dip nets through the ice in one of Idaho's most distinctive fisheries. In Idaho waters of Bear Lake the cisco daily limit is 30.
Endemic to the cold, deep, blue waters of Bear Lake; spends most of the year in open water and moves to rocky eastern shorelines to spawn in mid-winter.
Bonneville Cisco Habitat & Size
Bonneville Cisco (Prosopium gemmifer) is associated with lake water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 7 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Bonneville Cisco
FishFinder links Bonneville Cisco to water records in Idaho. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Bonneville Cisco Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Bonneville Cisco is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Bonneville Cisco
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Bonneville Cisco is recorded:
Equipment planning for Bonneville Cisco
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
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Bonneville Cisco Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Bonneville Cisco is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Bonneville Cisco?
The species record associates Bonneville Cisco (Prosopium gemmifer) with lake water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Bonneville Cisco get?
The recorded average size for Bonneville Cisco is approximately 7 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Bonneville Cisco?
FishFinder links Bonneville Cisco to water records in Idaho. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Bonneville Cisco?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Bonneville Cisco. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.