With the appropriate tackle, they can certainly be very good fighters. Since most of the whitefish are under 18 inches long, a very light spinning rod or 3/4wt fly rod can be very enjoyable to fish with.
Lures would work, but for this time of the year, egg immitations would work better. If you are using a spinning rod, a light float balanced with a few split shots (less than 10g), size 4/6 hook baited with either artificial (small gooey bobs, Jensen eggs) or natural bait (roe, single eggs, dew worms).
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/video/0817.htmlOnce salmon fry start hatching, tiny spoons and spinners may work. Small minnow patterns fished with a fly rod work better.