Arctic Char: The Spectacular Fish of the Far North
The Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish native to northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Known for its striking spawning colours and ability to survive in extremely cold environments, it has the most northerly distribution of any freshwater fish.
Arctic Char belong to the genus Salvelinus, making them close relatives of Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Bull Trout and Dolly Varden. Their appearance can change dramatically depending on age, habitat and season. Fish may appear silver while feeding at sea before developing brilliant orange or red colours as spawning approaches.
Two major life-history forms occur. Some populations remain entirely in freshwater, while others migrate to coastal marine waters during summer before returning to freshwater to overwinter and reproduce.
Identification
Appearance varies considerably between populations and throughout the year.
Non-spawning fish generally have dark blue, green, brown or grey backs with silvery sides and a pale belly. Pink, red or violet spots may appear along the sides.
As spawning approaches, their appearance can change dramatically. Mature fish often develop brilliant orange or red colouring, and males may become especially vibrant.
Common identifying characteristics include:
- Elongated trout-like body
- Dark back with lighter sides
- Pale pink, red or violet spots
- No black spots on the body
- White leading edges on lower fins
- Slightly forked tail
- Small scales
- Brilliant orange or red spawning colours
- Hooked lower jaw, or kype, on some mature males
Colour alone shouldn’t determine identification because individuals can vary considerably between populations and seasons.
Where Are They Found?
Arctic Char have a circumpolar distribution across the Northern Hemisphere.
Their range includes northern portions of:
- Canada
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Europe
- Asia
- Alaska
Within Canada, populations occur throughout the Canadian Arctic, northern Quebec and northern Labrador. Freshwater populations also occur farther south, including parts of Newfoundland and southern Quebec.
This extraordinary northern distribution makes the species particularly well adapted to cold environments.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada identifies them as Canada’s most northern freshwater fish species.
Preferred Habitat
Cold water defines their habitat.
Populations can occupy:
- Arctic lakes
- Deep northern lakes
- Cold rivers
- Streams
- Coastal marine waters
- Estuaries
- Gravel-bottomed spawning areas
Resident populations spend their entire lives in freshwater lakes and rivers.
Sea-run fish use both environments. They hatch and spend their early lives in freshwater before eventually migrating into coastal marine waters during summer to feed.
Ontario’s aquaculture research also demonstrates just how cold-adapted the species is. Arctic Char can continue feeding at temperatures close to freezing, while maximum growth under aquaculture conditions occurs around 12–15°C (54–59°F).
Resident and Sea-Run Arctic Char
One of the most interesting characteristics of this fish is its ability to follow different life-history strategies.
Resident Arctic Char remain in freshwater throughout their lives.
Sea-run Arctic Char, also known as anadromous Arctic Char, migrate from freshwater into coastal marine environments to feed before returning.
Young sea-run fish generally spend several years growing in freshwater before making their first ocean migration. Fisheries and Oceans Canada reports that this migration commonly begins at around four to five years of age.
Their time at sea can be surprisingly short.
During summer, they may spend only several weeks feeding intensively in shallow coastal waters and estuaries before returning to freshwater. They overwinter in freshwater rather than remaining at sea.
Diet and Feeding
Diet changes considerably with age, habitat and available prey.
Young freshwater fish commonly consume:
- Aquatic insect larvae
- Freshwater shrimp
- Small crustaceans
- Other aquatic invertebrates
Larger freshwater individuals expand their diet to include small fish and bottom-dwelling organisms such as snails, clams and insect larvae.
Sea-run adults gain access to a much broader marine food supply.
Their ocean diet can include zooplankton, amphipods, mysid shrimp and fish such as Arctic Cod, Sculpins, Capelin and Sand Lance.
This short summer feeding period can be extremely important because sea-run fish eat relatively little while overwintering beneath the ice.
Size and Weight
Size varies dramatically between populations.
Landlocked fish living in small, less productive waters may remain relatively small. Sea-run individuals generally have access to richer feeding opportunities and can grow considerably larger.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada provides typical weights of approximately:
Sea-run fish: 2.3–4.5 kg (5–10 lb)
Freshwater residents: 0.2–2.3 kg (0.4–5 lb)
Exceptional individuals can grow considerably larger.
Growth rates depend on water temperature, food availability, migration patterns and the productivity of a particular lake, river or marine feeding area.
Lifespan
Arctic Char are remarkably long-lived fish.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reports a lifespan of approximately 20 to 40 years, although age varies among populations.
Their long lifespan accompanies relatively slow development in many northern environments.
Sea-run fish generally don’t reach sexual maturity until approximately 8 to 15 years of age.
Cold water and short growing seasons contribute to these slow growth and maturation rates.
Spawning and Reproduction
Spawning generally occurs during fall.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada identifies September and October as the primary spawning period. Adults seek suitable freshwater habitat containing gravel where females can deposit their eggs.
Males typically arrive first and establish territories.
Females later select suitable areas and create nests, called redds, in the gravel. After courtship, eggs are deposited and fertilized.
The eggs remain buried within the substrate through winter.
In northern environments, incubation can last approximately six months beneath the ice before young fish eventually emerge from the gravel.
Unlike Pacific salmon, adults don’t necessarily die after reproduction. They can survive and spawn again during future seasons.
Behavior and Seasonal Movement
Behaviour depends heavily on whether a population is resident or migratory.
Freshwater residents remain within lakes and river systems throughout the year. Seasonal changes can still influence depth, feeding activity and movement.
Sea-run populations undertake much more dramatic migrations.
Young fish spend their early lives entirely in freshwater. Once they reach sufficient size, they begin migrating into coastal waters during summer.
Research shows that many individuals remain relatively close to shore and make extensive use of estuaries. Some tagged fish have nevertheless travelled hundreds of kilometres.
As summer ends, they return to freshwater.
Those migrations allow the fish to exploit productive marine feeding areas while avoiding harsh winter marine conditions.
Arctic Char vs. Lake Trout
Arctic Char and Lake Trout belong to the same genus, Salvelinus, and can share several physical characteristics.
Both prefer cold water and display pale spots against a darker body.
The tail provides a useful clue. Lake Trout typically have a more deeply forked tail, while Arctic Char generally have a shallower fork.
Body shape and colour can also help, although both species vary considerably.
Spawning adults provide a much stronger visual difference. Arctic Char can develop spectacular orange or red colouring that isn’t typical of Lake Trout.
Geography also helps. Lake Trout occur across a much larger portion of Canada, while Arctic Char concentrate primarily in northern and Arctic regions.
This is a perfect place to internally link to your updated Lake Trout species page.
Arctic Char vs. Brook Trout
Both fish belong to Salvelinus, but their markings differ.
Brook Trout commonly have distinctive worm-like markings across the back along with red spots surrounded by blue halos.
Arctic Char lack the classic Brook Trout vermiculation and generally display pale pink, red or violet spots against a darker body.
Brook Trout also have a relatively square tail compared with the more forked tail of Arctic Char.
Their distributions differ substantially. Brook Trout occur throughout much of eastern Canada and Ontario, while Arctic Char are primarily associated with northern regions.
I’d internally link Brook Trout here to the page we’ve already rebuilt.
Arctic Char vs. Bull Trout
Arctic Char and Bull Trout are also close relatives.
Both belong to Salvelinus, prefer cold water and have pale spots on darker bodies.
Bull Trout usually have a larger head and mouth relative to their body and often display yellow, orange or reddish spots.
Arctic Char can develop much brighter orange or red body coloration during the spawning season.
Distribution provides another important clue. Bull Trout occur primarily in western North America, while Arctic Char have a circumpolar northern distribution.
Since we just rebuilt your Bull Trout page, this gives us another excellent internal link.
Importance to Northern Communities
This section is important enough that I would include it rather than making this page purely biological.
Arctic Char have tremendous nutritional, economic and cultural importance throughout Canada’s North.
They are particularly important to Inuit communities across Inuit Nunangat, where the fish have provided food for generations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada identifies the species as important for food, cultural connections and commercial fisheries in northern regions.
Nunavut supports recreational, subsistence and commercial fisheries for the species.
The connection between Arctic Char and northern communities extends far beyond sport fishing, making the fish culturally significant in ways that distinguish it from many other species featured on CrazyForFishing.
Fishing for Arctic Char
Anglers pursue these fish in some of Canada’s most remote freshwater and coastal environments.
Depending on the location and season, common presentations can include spoons, spinners, jigs, streamers and other lures that imitate small fish or aquatic prey.
Sea-run fish can provide particularly exciting opportunities as they migrate through river systems between freshwater and coastal feeding areas.
Fishing can also take place through the ice in northern communities.
Regulations vary considerably by territory, province, management area and individual fishery. Anyone planning a trip should check current local regulations, licensing requirements and harvest restrictions before fishing.
Interesting Facts
Arctic Char have the most northerly distribution of any freshwater fish.
Their scientific name is Salvelinus alpinus.
They belong to the same genus as Brook Trout, Lake Trout and Bull Trout.
Both freshwater-resident and sea-run populations exist.
Sea-run individuals spend only part of the year in marine environments and return to freshwater for winter.
Some individuals can live for several decades.
Unlike Pacific salmon, adults can survive spawning and reproduce multiple times during their lives.
Spawning adults can develop brilliant red or orange coloration.
Sea-run individuals generally grow larger than freshwater residents because they gain access to productive marine feeding areas.
Their diet can change dramatically between freshwater and marine environments.
Arctic Char remain an important food source and cultural resource throughout Inuit Nunangat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arctic Char trout?
Arctic Char belong to the salmon family, Salmonidae, and the genus Salvelinus, commonly called char. Their close relatives include Brook Trout, Lake Trout and Bull Trout.
Where do they live?
Their circumpolar range includes northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Europe, Asia and Alaska. Canadian populations occur throughout the Arctic as well as northern Quebec and Labrador.
Are Arctic Char found in Ontario?
Arctic Char are strongly associated with Canada’s northern regions rather than Ontario’s typical recreational fisheries. Ontario does, however, raise Arctic Char commercially through aquaculture operations, and the province has published an aquaculture species profile for them.
Do they live in saltwater?
Some do temporarily. Sea-run populations migrate into coastal marine environments during summer to feed but return to freshwater. Other populations remain in freshwater throughout their entire lives.
What do they eat?
Young freshwater fish consume aquatic insects, shrimp and other invertebrates. Larger individuals eat fish and bottom-dwelling organisms. Sea-run adults consume marine invertebrates and fish.
How big do they get?
DFO reports typical weights of approximately 5–10 pounds for sea-run fish and roughly 0.4–5 pounds for freshwater residents. Size varies substantially among populations.
How long do they live?
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reports that Arctic Char can live approximately 20 to 40 years.
When do they spawn?
Spawning usually occurs during September or October over suitable freshwater gravel habitat.
Do they die after spawning?
No. Unlike Pacific salmon, Arctic Char can survive spawning and reproduce again during future seasons.
Why do they turn red?
Hormonal changes associated with reproduction produce dramatic spawning colours. Adults can change from relatively silver fish to brilliant orange or red as the spawning season approaches.