Inconnus are great sport fish that will jump and fight when caught. In North America, they can be found in Alaska and parts of Canada. Most anglers catch them by drift fishing and spin casting while using lures and jigs that look like baitfish.
Habitat: Lake, Ocean, River
How to identify Inconnu
Nicknamed the “Eskimo tarpon,” Inconnus are part of the salmon family. They are close relatives of the whitefish and ciscoes. Inconnus look similar to char or whitefish; however, they have a pointed, narrow snout and a slight indentation on the top of their elongated heads. Their lower jaws jut outward from their large mouths, while their upper jaws reach back to the middle of their eyes. Inconnus have tiny teeth in the front of their lower jaws, along their upper jaws, and on the roof of their mouths. They have a silvery appearance and jump out of the water at incredible heights when hooked.
Where to catch Inconnu
The Inconnu can be found in Alaska, the Yukon River, Canada’s MacKenzie River, Great Bear/Great Slave Lakes, Canadian Northwest Territories, and northern remote British Columbia. Populations are also present in Asia and a smaller, more remote population lives in the Caspian Sea. These fish migrate from coastal waters to inland freshwater to spawn.
The following are habitats where you can catch Inconnu:
How to catch Inconnu
As a great sport fish, Inconnu are North America’s only highly predatorial whitefish. These a decent-sized fish and they will put up a struggle when they are hooked, so anglers should be prepared for a fight. They are also known to jump out of the water when caught. These fish tend to swim near the bottom but come closer to the surface to feed. The best tactic is to use a boat and cast out a lure that looks and acts like a baitfish. Inconnu can also be caught with flies. The best methods to use for catching these fish are drift fishing and spin casting.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Inconnu:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Inconnu
Inconnu respond well to lures, such as spoons and jigs. Anything that resembles a baitfish will work to attract these fish.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Inconnu:
