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Tullibee (Cisco)
Coregonus artedi
10–15 inches
Typical Length
0.5–1.5 lbs
Typical Weight
Year-round (no closed season)
Season Opens
5%
% of MN Lakes
The tullibee, also called cisco, is a cold-water schooling fish related to whitefish. They're an important forage species in Minnesota's deep, clear lakes and are targeted by ice anglers using small jigs.
Habitat
Tullibee require deep, cold, well-oxygenated lakes. They're pelagic fish that suspend in open water, following zooplankton clouds through the water column. They move deep in summer and spawn on shallow gravel in late fall.
When to Fish
Best months: November, December, January
Season opens: Year-round (no closed season)
Late fall and early ice are peak tullibee time. They spawn in November, concentrating near shallow, rocky areas. Ice fishing with small jigs in deep water is the most common approach.
Did You Know?
- Tullibee are the primary prey for lake trout in many Minnesota lakes — a healthy tullibee population usually means quality lake trout.
- They spawn in late November, making them one of the latest-spawning fish in Minnesota.
- Tullibee are sensitive to oxygen levels and are among the first species to decline when a lake becomes more eutrophic.
Lakes with Tullibee (Cisco) near you
183 Minnesota lakes have Tullibee (Cisco) on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Tullibee (Cisco) (Coregonus artedi) is a rough species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented tullibee (cisco) in 183 Minnesota lakes.