Arctic Grayling

Introduction

The Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a grayling species native to waterways draining into the Arctic and Pacific oceans in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia. This cold-water fish is also found in the upper Missouri River drainage in Montana.

Arctic grayling are easily identified by their large sail-like dorsal fin marked with cross-rows of deep blue spots. They also have a distinctly forked tail.

Grayling have been introduced into various waterways in the continental United States, including waters of Arizona’s White Mountains. Although introduced populations in California and Nevada are now considered extirpated, occasional reports of grayling catches still surface from time to time.

While the Arctic grayling is globally secure, it is critically imperiled in Montana.