Dolly Varden

Body Type & Identification: Similar to Arctic Char and Bull Trout — olive to brown with pale pink, red, and orange spots (never black spots like trout). A char, not a true trout. Sea-run Dolly Varden are silver with spots; freshwater fish are more colorful. Named after a colorful character from Charles Dickens — an apt description of the fish's vivid coloring.

Preferred Water Temperature: 42°F–58°F. A cold-water Arctic and sub-Arctic char found in pristine, cold rivers, lakes, and coastal streams of the North Pacific. Anadromous populations migrate to saltwater in summer and return to rivers in fall. Resident populations remain in lakes and rivers year-round.

Habitat: Rivers, lakes, and coastal streams from Washington State north through British Columbia, Alaska, and across the Bering Sea to Russia and Japan. Most abundant in Alaska — found in virtually every clear, cold Alaskan river and stream. Often co-occurs with Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, and Grayling.

Best Lures: Bright spoons in silver, orange, and chartreuse produce excellent results. Egg patterns on fly tackle are very effective near salmon spawning areas. Streamers in smolt and baitfish patterns work well. Small inline spinners produce consistent catches. Beadhead nymphs on fly tackle catch Dolly Varden in rivers throughout Alaska.

Best Baits: Salmon eggs are the top bait — particularly effective near spawning salmon. Fresh salmon flesh produces excellent results. Small whole herring work for sea-run fish in tidal areas. Worms produce freshwater fish. Salmon egg clusters are outstanding in fall.

Top 5 Destinations: Kenai River AK, Kodiak Island AK, Bristol Bay drainages AK, Naknek River AK, Deschutes River OR (small resident population).