Arctic Grayling

fish · arctic · cold water · salmon family

Gorgeous sail fin. Arctic graylings have an enormous, colorful dorsal fin that looks like a sail on their back. This fancy fin is one of the most beautiful things about them, with stripes and spots that catch the light.

Lives in freezing places. These fish thrive in icy cold waters across Canada, Alaska, and Siberia where most other fish would struggle. They're built perfectly for life in the Arctic and mountain streams.

Mountain lake lovers. Arctic graylings swim in high-altitude lakes and streams from Montana to Idaho to Utah, living where the water stays cold year-round. People have introduced them to special mountain lakes so more people could fish for them.

Salmon family member. Even though they're smaller and different from salmon, Arctic graylings are actually cousins in the Salmonidae family. They share the same ancestors as salmon and trout.

Spread across the north. You can find Arctic graylings across the Arctic and Pacific river drainages, meaning they show up in rivers and streams that flow toward those oceans. They're naturals at adapting to life in the coldest parts of North America and Asia.