Arctic Grayling

Work in progress!

Introduction

The Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a species of salmonid native to waterways draining into Arctic and Pacific oceans in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia. They are also native to the upper Missouri River drainage in Montana. The species is being reintroduce to waterways of Michigan.  Arctic grayling is a cold water species.

Arctic graylings can be identified by their oversized dorsal fin with cross-rows of deep blue spots. They also have a forked tail.

They can also have been transplanted into various waterways in the continental United States, such as in the White Mountains of Arizona.  While transplanted populations in California and Nevada are considered extirpated, one occasionally hears an odd report of them being caught.

Challenges

The Arctic grayling is included Western Native Trout Challenge but only catches in Alaska qualify. 

The Arctic grayling is included in the Arizona Trout Challenge.

Additional Reading

• Arctic Grayling by Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game

• Arctic Grayling by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

• Milestone reached in continuing Arctic grayling reintroduction effort by Michigan Graylings.

• Trout and Salmon of North America by Robert Behnke