Arctic Char

Body Type & Identification: Brilliantly colored — the spawning male is one of the most vivid freshwater fish, with a brilliant red to orange belly, pale pink spots on the sides, and white leading edges on the lower fins. Silver in the sea or lake (anadromous/lake-dwelling form). A member of the char subfamily — related to Brook Trout and Dolly Varden. Excellent eating — the best-tasting of all char.

Preferred Water Temperature: 40°F–55°F. A cold-water Arctic species that thrives in the coldest, clearest water. Found at the surface in cold weather and near the thermocline in summer. Anadromous populations migrate to the sea in summer and return to rivers in fall.

Habitat: Arctic and subarctic lakes, rivers, and streams of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Scandinavia. In the US, primarily found in Alaska — the Ugashik Lakes, Lake Clark area, and Arctic rivers. Sea-run fish migrate to coastal rivers to spawn in fall. Outstanding fly fishing destination species.

Best Lures: Bright spoons in orange and red produce excellent results. Large streamer flies in red, orange, and white on fly tackle are outstanding. Large inline spinners work well. Bright swimbaits in attractor colors are effective. Egg-pattern flies near spawning areas produce strong strikes.

Best Baits: Salmon eggs are very effective. Large worms produce results. Fresh salmon flesh near spawning areas attracts feeding char. Light to medium tackle with 8–15 lb line in Arctic rivers and lakes.

Top 5 Destinations: Ugashik Lakes AK, Tree River Nunavut Canada, Kugluktuk area Canada, Iceland rivers, Greenland fjords.

Brilliantly colored — the spawning male is one of the most vivid freshwater fish, with a brilliant red to orange belly, pale pink spots on the sides, and white leading edges on the lower fins. Silver in the sea or lake (anadromous/lake-dwelling form). A member of the char subfamily — related to Brook Trout and Dolly Varden. Excellent eating — the best-tasting of all char.

Arctic and subarctic lakes, rivers, and streams of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Scandinavia. In the US, primarily found in Alaska — the Ugashik Lakes, Lake Clark area, and Arctic rivers. Sea-run fish migrate to coastal rivers to spawn in fall. Outstanding fly fishing destination species.

40°F–55°F. A cold-water Arctic species that thrives in the coldest, clearest water. Found at the surface in cold weather and near the thermocline in summer. Anadromous populations migrate to the sea in summer and return to rivers in fall.

Best Lures: Bright spoons in orange and red produce excellent results. Large streamer flies in red, orange, and white on fly tackle are outstanding. Large inline spinners work well. Bright swimbaits in attractor colors are effective. Egg-pattern flies near spawning areas produce strong strikes. Best Baits: Salmon eggs are very effective. Large worms produce results. Fresh salmon flesh near spawning areas attracts feeding char. Light to medium tackle with 8–15 lb line in Arctic rivers and lakes.

1 fishing location where you can catch Arctic Char