Arctic Char

	Scientific Name	Salvelinus Alpinus
	Other Names	N/A
	World Record	32.4 lbs

Description

The easiest way to tell the difference between Arctic char and Dolly Varden is that Arctic char generally have a shorter head and snout, a trait particularly evident in spawning males. The tail of an Arctic char has a slightly deeper fork than that of a Dolly Varden, and the base of the Arctic char's tail is narrower. Like all chars, Arctic char have light colored spots on a dark background. They are variable in color depending on environmental conditions within their lake of residence and time of year. The back is dark with a brownish or olive cast. The sides are lighter, fading to a pale belly. The overall color may be brown, yellow, gold, orange, or red. As the char approaches spawning, the spots, belly, and fins take on a bright orange, red, or gold cast, and the lower fins have brilliant white leading edges. The entire body may become golden or orange. Spawning colors are more exaggerated in males than in females. "

Habitat

They can be both anadromous (spend their life in both fresh and salt water) or land locked. On the island char can be found in most of the deeper lakes. They are very slow growing with the largest char occurring in more mature locations

Feeding Habit

Anadromous char may migrate to the sea for feeding during the summer but they do not range far from their home rivers unlike salmon (tens of miles vs hundreds of miles). Young char feed on bottom invertebrates and the older and larger char feed on other fishes like landlocked smelt.

Age and Growth

Char often exist in two different forms in the same lake. These forms are usually described as "dwarf' and "normal." The forms show differences in habitat and food selection, resulting in different growth rates, size at maturity, and average size. After reaching sexual maturity at an age of 6 to 9 years, Arctic char are thought to spawn every other year. Spawning usually occurs from August through October, probably over steep, broken substrates or gravel shoals at sufficient depth to be protected from winter ice. In some lakes, pre spawning char congregate near inlet streams or waterways connecting lakes, but they move back into the lake to spawn. Growth and maximum size may vary greatly, depending on the productivity of the particular lake and the presence of other fish species. Females will form spawning reds (gravel dig outs) during the month of October to December in shallow water (1.0-4.5 m depth), however this will vary according to latitude and size. Males may fertilize the eggs from more than one female. Preferred spawning temperature is approximately 4.0 o C.

Tackle and Methods

There are no secrets with regards to the equipment. Use the type of rod with which you feel comfortable to fish for trout. Some people do not like using light rods as they do not want to take any risk of losing Chars which can weigh up to 3 kg. Besides, suddenly a salmon might be interested in your small fly. Do make sure that there is enough backing on your reel. Arctic Char is a really strong fighter and a hooked fish will often run into the fast water.

Related Species

Listed below are similar related species that customers have searched.

	Atlantic Salmon		Brooke Trout
	Brown Trout		Bull Trout
	Chinook Salmon		Chum Salmon
	Coho Salmon		Cutthroat Trout
	Dolly Varden		Graylin
	King Salmon		Pink Salmon
	Rainbow Trout		Sea Trout
	Sockeye Salmon		Steelhead Trout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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