It is distinguished from the Arctic cisco by its smaller number of gill rakers.

[1][3] The Bering cisco is usually found in river mouths, brackish lagoons, and coastal waters, but may penetrate far upstream.

[1][3] Most populations are anadromous, migrating as far as 2,100 kilometres (1,300 mi) inland to spawn during the late summer.

[5] In New York, smoked Bering ciscoes are popular, and are esteemed for their creamy flesh.

[4] The Bering cisco feeds on amphipods and other invertebrates and small fish such as sculpins.