Fish in the Spotlight
Arctic grayling
Over the years I have caught a
lot of different fish but there are
still so many more that I have not
caught like the Arctic Grayling.
Here is a little about the Arctic Grayling.
COOL FACTS
The oldest recorded age of Arctic grayling was 18 years. The heaviest published weight for Arctic grayling was 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs.) Arctic grayling in Montana have been recorded swimming 60 miles in between habitats in Big Hole, Montana.
SIZE
Common length for Arctic grayling is 34.3 cm (13.5 inches) with the longest reported specimen being 76 cm (30 inches) in length.
RANGE
Arctic grayling are native to drainages of the Arctic Ocean, Hudson Bay and Northern Pacific Ocean in North America and in Asia. Two distinct populations historically inhabited waters in Michigan and Montana. The distinct population of Arctic grayling in Michigan is now extinct. Arctic grayling are still present in southwestern Montana. Unfortunately, there has been a significant decline in the range and abundance of the distinct population that was widespread in the Missouri River basin above Great Falls Montana. The remaining grayling population in Montana now resides in the Big Hole River, upstream from Divide, Montana.
HABITAT
Arctic grayling inhabit open water in clear, cold, medium to large river and lakes with high concentrations of oxygen. Adult Arctic grayling spawn in mountain streams that have a strong current in shallow water with a rock and gravel bottom.
DIET
Young grayling feed on zooplankton, with a gradual shift to immature insects as the grow older. Adult grayling feed on surface insects but also on fish, fish eggs, lemmings, and planktonic crustaceans.