Contributions to the Biology of the Bering Cisco (Coregonus laurettae) in Alaska

Abstract

Taxonomic and biological data are presented on Bering cisco, Coregonus laurettae Bean, from the South Fork of the Kuskokwim River; Hess Creek and the Porcupine River in the Yukon System; and the Koyuk River and Port Clarence–Grantley Harbor area of western Alaska. Gill raker counts ranged from 31–40 with means of 33.8–36.6, those on the lower arch 18–24 with means of 20.4–23.6.Potential spawners were found 1610 km up the Yukon River in mid-June and 262 were taken at the mouth of Hess Creek in the Yukon River 1270 km upstream from the mouth June 10–14, 1972.Bering cisco from Hess Creek grow faster than cisco from Port Clarence–Grantley Harbor, reaching a maximum length of 480 mm and 8 years of age. Growth rates for males and females are similar.