Arctic Grayling is a fairly common fish in that has been stocked into many high elevation lakes. I knew very little about grayling until a friend wanted to catch one on a fly rod (read post). While gathering information about where we could catch grayling, I found a lot of information which may help you to find a place to catch Arctic Grayling in your state.

Distribution of Arctic, European and other grayling. Click for larger map.
Arctic grayling and European grayling Distribution
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a Holarctic species meaning they are distributed in a circle around the arctic region of the northern hemisphere. They range in northern regions of North America, Asia and eastern Europe; east of the Ural Mountains. The Northern part of western Europe is inhabited by the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus). There are other species of grayling found in Russia (Siberia), China and Mongolia (see map).
- Arctic grayling (T. arcticus)- North America, Asia and eastern Europe
- European grayling (T. thymallus) – western Europe and the British Isles
- Amur grayling (T. grubii) – Russia, China & Mongolia
- Hovsgol grayling (T. nigrescens) – endemic to Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia
- Baikal grayling (T. baicalensis) – Lake Baikal basin of Russia (Siberia) and Mongolia
- Mongolian grayling (T. brevirostris) – Russia and Mongolia
Arctic Grayling in North America
In North America, the Louis & Clark expedition recorded “white trout” in the Beaverhead River, which we now know was the Arctic Grayling (T. arcticus).
The only remaining natural, native remnant population in the continental United States is in Big Hole River, Montana and was proposed for threatened or endangered protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2010. All other populations of grayling in the continental U.S. have been introduced. Including Alaska and Montana, Arctic Grayling have been introduced into 26 states.
States with Documented Introductions of Arctic Grayling
- Alaska
- Arizona – Big Lake and the Salt and Verde drainages
- California – at least 26 bodies of water
- Colorado – Zimmerman Lake, North and South Platte rivers, the Rio Grande headwaters, the Eagle and Frying Pan rivers and the Arkansas drainage
- Connecticut – Housatonic drainage
- Idaho – the Kootenai, Spokane, Salmon, Bear, and Snake river systems
- Iowa -the Maquoketa and Coon-Yellow rivers
- Maine
- Michigan – Ford Lake
- Minnesota – Twin Lake in the Rainey headwaters, and several lakes in the Arrowhead region, including Musquash Lake
- Missouri
- Montana – Glacier National Park, the Belly, Red Rock, Madison, Gallatin, upper Missouri-Dearborn, Sun, Clarks Fork Yellowstone, Pend Orielle and Rock rivers
- Nebraska
- Nevada – high elevation lakes in the northern part of the state, Desert Creek, Ruby Valley and Steele Lake in Elko County
- New Hampshire – Long Pond and Sunapee Lake
- New Mexico – the Canjilon area
- New York
- Oregon – upper Deschutes and Umatilla river systems
- Pennsylvania – Susquehanna and Delaware river systems
- South Dakota – Missouri River system
- Utah – high elevation lakes and streams in Beaver, Cache, Daggett, Duchesne, Kane, Garfield, Summit, Uintah, Wasatch and Wayne counties
- Vermont – Caspian Lake
- Virginia – Smith River below Philpott Res.
- Washington
- Wisconsin – the Namekagon, Wolf, Brule and Beartrap-Nemadji systems
- Wyoming – Yellowstone Lake, Bighorn, Wind and Medicine Bow rivers, Big Sandy Reservoir, Jackson Lake, Babione Creek, Beartooth Lake and Frye Lake
Why so many Arctic Grayling Introductions?
Prior to the 1960s may introductions were done with little thought to ecological consequences. Today, introduction of grayling into high mountain lakes of the Rocky Mountains is done purely to provide recreational fishing. This because many trout species can not survive when dissolved Oxygen concentrations become very low during the winter in high elevation lakes (winter kill). Arctic Grayling can survive in low Oxygen concentrations of 0.6 to 4.8 mg/liter where other fish cannot. For comparison, studies have shown that 50% of rainbow trout die at Oxygen levels of 1.75 mg./l and most trout die at 1.5 mg./l.
There is little chance grayling can escape into lower elevation streams because they show signs of stress in water temperature as as low as 16.5° C (61.7 °F). They can tolerate water temperatures in excess of 20° C (68 °F), but they actively avoid those temperatures when possible.
U.S. Geologic Survey Records of Arctic grayling in Seventeen States
The following tables are scientific records for Arctic Grayling from the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) by state. Tables are sorted by Locality. These records do not show all areas where grayling may have been stocked, but do provide additional information about where they have been stocked and where they have been collected. If you have a favorite lake with grayling that is not in any of these tables, or have more recent information, I will be glad to add your records to the tables.
Status refers to the status of Arctic Grayling introductions:
- Stocked – records indicate grayling were stocked
- Established – the grayling population is established
- Failed – the stocking attempt failed
- Collected – Arctic grayling were collected
I removed all duplicate records and left only the most recent record from the table if the status of Arctic Grayling was the same.
Records of Arctic Grayling in Arizona
Grayling have been established in at least seven areas in Arizona.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greenlee | Ackre Lake | 2001 | Black | Established |
Coconino | Bear Canyon Lake | 2001 | Middle Little Colorado | Established |
Apache | Big Lake | 1943 | Black | Established |
Gila River Basin | 2004 | Established | ||
Apache | Lee Valley Reservoir | 2001 | Little Colorado Headwaters | Established |
Coconino | Mogollon Rim | 1973 | Lower Verde | Established |
White Mountains | 1997 | Salt | Established |
Records of Arctic Grayling in California
Grayling have been established in at least two areas in California, but most recent records are from 1987.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine | Alpine County | 1972 | California | Collected |
Amador | Amador County | 1972 | San Joaquin | Collected |
Nevada | Bullpen Lake | 1969 | Upper Yuba | Failed |
Sacramento | Delta General Location | 1950 | Lower Sacramento | Failed |
Amador | Devils Lake = Jackson’s Creek Res. | 1969 | Upper Mokelumne | Failed |
El Dorado | Echo Lake = Lily Lake | 1930 | Lake Tahoe | Failed |
El Dorado | El Dorado County | 1972 | California | Collected |
El Dorado | Fawn Lake | 1969 | North Fork American | Failed |
Madera | Grayling Lake, Yosemite NP | 1930 | Upper Merced | Failed |
Inyo | Inyo County | 1972 | Northern Mojave-Mono Lake | Collected |
Placer | Jim Lake | 1969 | North Fork American | Failed |
Lassen | Lassen County | 1972 | California | Collected |
Mono | Lobdell Lake | 1980 | West Walker | Established |
Mono | Lobdell Lake & Desert Creek outlet | 1987 | West Walker | Established |
Lower Klamath drainage | 1976 | Lower Klamath | Established | |
Mariposa | Mirror Lake, Yosemite NP | 1930 | Upper Merced | Failed |
Nevada | Nevada County | 1972 | Collected | |
Sierra | Papoose Lake | 1969 | Lower Sacramento | Failed |
Shasta/Modoc | Pit River drainage | 1976 | Upper Sacramento | Established |
Placer | Placer County | 1972 | Collected | |
Plumas | Plumas County | 1972 | Lower Sacramento | Collected |
Sacramento River tributaries | 1906 | Upper Sacramento | Collected | |
Shasta | Shasta County | 1972 | Upper Sacramento | Collected |
Sierra | Sierra County | 1972 | Collected | |
Siskiyou | Siskiyou County | 1972 | California | Collected |
Madera | Star Lake | 1930 | Upper Merced | Failed |
San Diego | Upper Cottonwood Creek | 1916 | Cottonwood-Tijuana | Failed |
Alpine | Upper Virginia Lake | 1969 | Upper Carson | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Colorado
Grayling have been established in at least three areas in Colorado.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arkansas River | 1998 | Upper Arkansas | Collected | |
Boulder | Barker Reservoir | 2009 | St. Vrain | Collected |
Crosho Lake | 2002 | Report | ||
Eagle | Eagle River | 1900 | Colorado Headwaters | Failed |
Eagle | Frying Pan River | 1899 | Upper Gunnison | Failed |
Eagle | Frying Pan River | 1900 | Roaring Fork | Failed |
Hartensteil Lake | 2002 | Report | ||
Larimer | Joe Wright Creek & Reservoir | 2009 | Cache La Poudre | Established |
Jackson | Lower Big Creek Lake (Res.) | 2002 | Upper North Platte | Stocked |
North Fork Reservoir | 2002 | North Fork S. Arkansas | Report | |
North Platte River | 1998 | North Platte | Stocked | |
Chaffey | Pomeroy Lake | 2018 | Chalk Creek | Caught |
San Luis Valley | 1986 | San Luis | Failed | |
Silver King Lake | 2002 | Report | ||
South Platte drainage | 1998 | South Platte | Collected | |
Park | South Platte River | 1900 | South Platte Headwaters | Failed |
Park | South Platte River | 1900 | Upper South Platte | Failed |
Routt | Steamboat/Pearl Lakes | 2000 | Upper Yampa | Established |
Larimer | Zimmerman Lake | 1996 | Cache La Poudre | Rotenoned |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Idaho
Grayling have been established in at least four areas in Idaho, but the most recent records were in 1990. Grayling are still stocked from fish produced at the Idaho Fish and Game’s Ashton Fish hatchery.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonner | Antelope Lake | 1999 | Lower Clark Fork | Stocked |
Custer | Baptie Lake | 2006 | Big Lost | Stocked |
Custer | Big Fall Creek Lake | 1995 | Big Lost | Stocked |
Blaine | Big Lost Lake | 2006 | Big Wood | Stocked |
Idaho | Bleak Creek Lake | 1970 | Middle Salmon-Chamberlain | Stocked |
Idaho | Brown Creek Lake or Brown Lake | 1970 | Middle Salmon-Chamberlain | Stocked |
Valley | Brush Lake | 2002 | North Fork Payette | Stocked |
Valley | Buck Lake | 2010 | Upper Middle Fork Salmon | Stocked |
Boise | Bull Trout Lake | 1990 | South Fork Payette | Stocked |
Fremont | Coffee Pot spawning station | 1946 | Upper Henrys | Failed |
Shoshone | Crater Lake | 2011 | St. Joe | Stocked |
Shoshone | Dismal Lake | 2009 | St. Joe | Stocked |
Clark | Divide Creek Lake | 2006 | Medicine Lodge | Stocked |
Blaine | East Fork, Big Wood River | 1900 | Big Wood | Failed |
Idaho | Eden Lake | 2006 | Little Salmon | Stocked |
Boise | Elk Lake | 2003 | South Fork Payette | Stocked |
Shoshone | Forage Lake | 2003 | St. Joe | Last stocked in 2003, Golden Trout stocked 2006 |
Custer | Golden Lake | 1995 | Big Lost | Stocked |
Valley | Granite Lake | 2011 | North Fork Payette | Stocked |
Custer | Hell Roaring Lake | 1997 | Upper Salmon | Stocked |
Fremont | Henrys Fork (Snake River) | 1939 | Upper Henrys | Failed |
Fremont | Horseshoe Lake | 2011 | Upper Henrys | Stocked |
Elmore | Island Lake | 2006 | North Middle Forks Boise | Stocked |
Clearwater | Kelly Lake | 1971 | Upper North Fork Clearwater | Stocked |
Clearwater | Kid Lake | 1982 | Upper North Fork Clearwater | Stocked |
Kootenai | 1990 | Kootenai | Established | |
Valley | Malony Lake | 2010 | North Fork Payette | Stocked |
Lemhi | Nez Perce Lake | 2010 | Lemhi | Stocked |
Valley | North Fork Payette River | 1962 | North Fork Payette | Collected |
Fremont | North Fork Snake River | 1962 | Lower Henrys | Established |
Boundary | Parker Lake | 1999 | Lower Kootenai | Stocked but replaced by Golden trout |
Clearwater | Pot Lake | 1971 | Upper North Fork Clearwater | Stocked |
Custer | Rainbow Lake | 2009 | Upper Salmon | Stocked |
Valley | Rapid lake | 1998? | Buckhorn Creek | Historic |
Custer | Round Lake | 2006 | Big Lost | Stocked |
Idaho | Ruby Lake | 1970 | Middle Salmon-Chamberlain | Stocked |
Lemhi | Salmon NF | 2001 | Middle Salmon-Panther | Collected |
Salmon River | 1900 | Salmon | Stocked | |
Custer | Sheep Lake | 1973 | Upper Salmon | Stocked |
Boundary | Smith Lake | 2001 | Lower Kootenai | Stocked |
Twin Falls | Snake River (Shoshone Falls) | 1990 | Upper Snake-Rock | Established |
Boise | South Fork Payette River | 1944 | South Fork Payette | Failed |
Spokane drainage | 1990 | Spokane | Established | |
Shoshone | Steamboat Lake | 2011 | Lower North Fork Clearwater | Stocked |
Idaho | Stingray Lake | 1968 | Upper Selway | Stocked |
Boise | Three Lake | 1990 | South Fork Payette | Stocked |
Custer | Tin Cup Lake | 2011 | Upper Salmon | Stocked |
Upper Bear drainage | 1900 | Upper Bear | Stocked | |
Upper Snake River | 1900 | Upper Snake | Stocked |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Minnesota
Grayling have been established in at least two areas in Minnesota, but the records date back to 1974. Recent information indicates those populations have not persisted. The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources website does not mention Arctic Grayling.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cook | Musquash Lake | 1974 | Baptism-Brule | Established |
Cook | Lakes in Arrowhead region | 1982 | Baptism-Brule | Stocked |
Lake | Twin Lake | 1974 | Rainy Headwaters | Established |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Montana
Besides the last remaining natural population in the Big Hole River, grayling have been established in Glacier National Park in Montana.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Glacier | Belly drainage | 1990 | Belly | Collected |
Bitterroot River | 1910 | Bitterroot | Failed | |
Carbon | Clarks Fork Yellowstone | 1990 | Clarks Fork Yellowstone | Collected |
Lake | Flathead Lake | 2000 | Flathead Lake | Stocked |
Flathead Lake | 1990 | Pend Oreille | Collected | |
Deer Lodge | Georgetown Lake | 1909 | Flint-Rock | Established |
Flathead | Glacier NP | 1999 | Middle Fork Flathead | Established |
Granite | Rock Creek | 1990 | Flint-Rock | Collected |
South Fork Flathead River | 2000 | South Fork Flathead | Stocked | |
Upper Missouri-Dearborn | 1990 | Upper Missouri-Dearborn | Collected | |
Park | Washtub Lake | 2003 | Clarks Fork Yellowstone | Stocked |
Records of Arctic Grayling in New Hampshire
Grayling were reported to be established in at least one area in New Hampshire in 1907. The New Hampshire Fish and Game website does not mention Arctic Grayling.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grafton | Long Pond or Whitcher Pond | 1907 | Upper Connecticut | Established |
Sullivan | Star Lake | 1964 | Upper Connecticut-Mascoma | Stocked |
Sullivan | Sunapee Lake | 1914 | Upper Connecticut-Mascoma | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in New Mexico
Grayling were stocked into the Canjilon area of New Mexico in 1957, but that attempt failed.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rio Arriba | Canjilon area | 1957 | Rio Chama | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Nevada
There were attempts to stock grayling in Nevada in at least four areas, but those attempts have apparently failed. There is no mention of grayling at the Nevada Department of Wildlife website except that the state record for Arctic grayling was 15 oz. caught in 1978.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lyon | Desert Creek | 1978 | West Walker | Collected |
High elevation lakes – North NV | 1946 | Black Rock Desert-Humboldt | Collected | |
Elko-White Pine | Ruby Valley | 1941 | Long-Ruby Valleys | Collected |
Elko | Steele Lake | 1984 | Upper Humboldt | Collected |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Oregon
Arctic grayling introductions into Oregon have failed. There is no mention of Arctic grayling at the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife website except that the mountain whitefish is sometimes mistaken for grayling.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Umatilla | McKay & Pearson Creeks | 1900 | Umatilla | Failed |
Deschutes | Upper Deschutes River | 1980 | Upper Deschutes | Stocked |
Records of Arctic Grayling in South Dakota
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unspecified | 1937 | Missouri River | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Utah
Grayling were reported to be established in at least 37 areas in Utah. The High Uintas area of Summit, Duchesne and Daggett counties are well known for grayling, but they can also be found in higher areas of Beaver, Wayne, Garfield and Kane counties in Central and Southern Utah.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Garfield | Barker Res. | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Duchesne | Bedground Lake | 2002 | Duchesne | Established |
Garfield | Big Lake | 2007 | Fremont | Established |
Wayne | Blind Lake | 1996 | Fremont | Collected |
Duchesne | Bud Lake | 2007 | Duchesne | Established |
Cache | Streams & lakes | 1950 | Lower Bear | Collected |
Daggett | Candy Lake (Weyman Lakes) | 2007 | Upper Green | Established |
Duchesne | Carolyn Lake | 1996 | Duchesne | Collected |
Summit | China Lake | 2007 | Blacks Fork | Established |
Garfield | Circle Lake | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Wayne | Cook Lake | 2002 | Fremont | Established |
Garfield | Crater Lake | 2002 | Escalante | Established |
Daggett | Streams & lakes | 1950 | Upper Green | Collected |
Daggett | Daggett Lake in the Uintas | 1963 | Upper Green | Established |
Daggett | Daggett Lake in the Uintas | 1967 | Upper Green | Failed |
Uintah | Dead Lake | 2007 | Duchesne | Established |
Duchesne | Streams & lakes | 1953 | Lower Green | Collected |
Sanpete | Emerald Lake | 2007 | Muddy | Established |
Wayne | Green Lake | 2007 | Fremont | Established |
Garfield | Halfmoon Lake | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Garfield | Horseshoe Lake | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Summit | Kabell Lake | 2007 | Upper Green | Established |
Beaver | LaBaron Res. | 2007 | Beaver Bottoms-Upper Beaver | Established |
Wasatch | Lackawaxen Lake | 1996 | Provo | Collected |
Daggett | Lamb Lake | 2002 | Upper Green | Established |
Uintah | Little Elk Lake | 2002 | Ashley-Brush | Established |
Garfield | Lower Barker Res. | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Kane | Navajo Lake | 1996 | Upper Sevier | Established |
Garfield | Pacer Lake | 2007 | East Fork Sevier | Established |
Wayne | Pear Lake | 2007 | Fremont | Established |
Garfield | Posy or Posey Lake | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Wayne | Raft Lake | 2007 | Fremont | Established |
Summit | Round Lake | 1996 | Upper Weber | Collected |
Summit | Round Lake | 2007 | Upper Green | Established |
Garfield | Row Lake | 2007 | Escalante | Established |
Summit | Sand Lake | 1996 | Upper Weber | Established |
Utah | Silver Lake | 2007 | Utah Lake | Established |
Summit | Snow Lake | 2007 | Upper Green | Established |
Summit | Star Lake | 2007 | Provo | Established |
Salt Lake | Streams near Salt Lake | 1950 | Jordan | Established |
Summit | Streams & lakes | 1953 | Collected | |
Summit | Summit Lake | 1996 | Upper Weber | Established |
Summit | Trial Lake | 2007 | Provo | Established |
Uintah | Streams & lakes | 1953 | Upper Colorado | Collected |
UTAH | Tributaries to Utah Lake | 1950 | Utah Lake | Collected |
Summit | Wall Lake | 2007 | Provo | Established |
Summit | Washington Lake | 2007 | Provo | Established |
Summit | Whiskey Island Lake | 2007 | Upper Bear | Established |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Virginia
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Henry | Smith River below Philpott Res. | 1972 | Upper Dan | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Vermont
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Orleans | Caspian Lake | 1900 | Lamoille | Failed |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Washington
The USGS data seem to show that grayling were established in 1946, but had failed by 1978. Fishermen report catching grayling in Granite Lake (Skagit County) in 2008 and 2009.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Skagit | Lower Granite Lake | 1978 | Upper Skagit | Failed |
Skagit | Upper Granite Lake | 1946 | Upper Skagit | Established |
Records of Arctic Grayling in Wisconsin
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Douglas | Brule River | 1900 | Beartrap-Nemadji | Failed |
Douglas | Lake Nebagamon | 1906 | Beartrap-Nemadji | Failed |
Sawyer | Mosquito Brook | 1937 | Namekagon | Failed |
Bayfield | Namekagon River | 1908 | Namekagon | Failed |
Waushara | Pine River | 1938 | Wolf | Failed |
Records of Arctic grayling in Wyoming
Arctic grayling were reported as established in at least six areas in Wyoming and continue to be stocked by helicopter in many high elevation lakes.
County | Locality | Year | Drainage | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Between North Platte & Laramie River | 1980 | North Platte | Stocked | |
Sheridan | Babione Creek | 2001 | Upper Tongue | Collected |
Park | Beartooth Lake | 2001 | Clarks Fork Yellowstone | Collected |
Big Horn mountain range | 1994 | Big Horn | Established | |
Sweetwater | Big Sandy Reservoir | 1980 | Big Sandy | Collected |
Fremont | Frye Lake | 2001 | Popo Agie | Collected |
Teton | Jackson Lake | 1980 | Snake Headwaters | Collected |
Sublette | Meadow Lake | 1970 | New Fork | Established |
Medicine Bow River | 1994 | Medicine Bow | Established | |
Near Bighorn NF | 1980 | Big Horn | Collected | |
Powder-Tongue drainage | 1994 | Powder-Tongue | Established | |
Wind River, Big Horn & Medicine Bow Mtns | 1994 | Missouri Region | Collected | |
Johnson | Willow Lake | 1970 | Clear | Established |
Wind River | 1994 | Upper Wind | Established |
State Angling Records for Arctic Grayling
Nine U.S. states keep State Records for the largest grayling.
State | Weight | Length | Location | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | 4 lbs 13 oz | ??? | Ugashik Narrows | 1981 |
Montana | 3 lbs 10 oz | 20 | Washtub Lake | 2003 |
Idaho | 2 lbs 7 oz | 18.125 | Nez Perce Lake | 1992 |
Wyoming | 2 lbs 5.76 oz | 19.625 | Meadow Lake | 1983 |
Utah | 1 lbs 12 oz | 17.25 | Big Dog Lake | 1998 |
California | 1 lbs 12 oz | ??? | Lobdell Lake | 1974 |
Colorado | 1 lbs 10 oz | 17.25 | Big Creek Lake | 2002 |
Arizona | 1 lbs 9.76 oz | 14.65 | Lee Valley Lake | 1995 |
Nevada | 0 lbs 15 oz | 13.75 | Desert Creek | 1978 |
Arctic Grayling Provincial Angling Records
Three Canadian Provinces keep records for largest grayling. The largest recorded North American grayling was caught in Canada. It was 533 mm and 2.71 kg (almost 21 inches long and almost 6 pounds), but that fish does not appear in any Provincial angling record.
Province | Weight | Length | Location | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alberta | 2 lbs 15 oz | ??? | ??? | 1996 |
Manitoba | ??? | 23.0 | Wolf Lake | 1991 |
Saskatchewan | 4 lbs 5 oz | ??? | Fond du Lac River | 1966 |
Catch and Release State Angling Records for Arctic Grayling
Only two states apparently keep catch and release records for grayling. So if anyone wants to claim the record for Arctic Grayling in any of those states or provinces, let me know.
State | Length | Location | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Alaska | |||
Arizona | |||
California | |||
Colorado | 17 | Pearl Lake | ??? |
Idaho | |||
Montana | |||
Nevada | |||
Utah | 19 | Uinta Mtns | 1999 |
Washington | |||
Wyoming |
Arctic Grayling Classification
The North American grayling were originally separated into at least three species based upon their isolated distributions, but today all North American grayling are considered to be Thymallus arcticus.
- T. signifer – Alaska and northern Canada
- T. montanus – Upper Missouri River drainage (Montana)
- T. tricolor – Upper Great Lakes tributaries in Michigan (original population is now extinct)
Hi my name is Dennis James.I was looking at the record on Pearl Lake (Colorado) for grayling. I’m sure I crushed the record, but let the fish go as not to harm it. It was at least 21 inches and weighed 2 to 3 pounds. What a great fall day. I have fished Pearl Lake for 30 years and this day was amazing. Check out the pics on the Steamboat Lake State Park Facebook Page and let me now what you think.
Nice Fish Dennis. Thanks for sharing. I found your picture with the Arctic grayling at the Steamboat Lake State Park Facebook page and made a link so others can see it. I believe you brother… That’s no fish tale and you have the pic to prove it. And it looks like you caught the fish on a Rapala. They may not award the record to you, but the record should always have an asterisk beside it.
Amazing! I plan to add Pearl Lake CO to next year. Just amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Rapid Lake needs to be added for Idaho. Near McCall, this lake is an easy, EASY three mile hike. On the hike, you pass a couple of cutthroat lakes. Fished it about 18 years ago with my girlfriend (now wife) and a buddy. Hit it on Fourth of July weekend that year and there were still some snow around the lake. While I was rigging up my fly rod, my girlfriend was walking over to a boulder to sit on when she stopped, pointed at the two foot wide creek, and said, “I think those are the grayling-thingies you are looking for.
I walked over, and there in the creek was a pod of 10-11″ grayling. Being a fine sportsman who had never seen a grayling in the wild, I stealthily put my little trout net behind the pod of fish and then reached around a tree on the bank and splashed the water in front of them. Yup, one went right into the net. A quick picture and it was put back with his buddies in the creek. There was no way I was going to risk NOT getting a good pic of one! It really didn’t matter…
We started casting at the inlet to the lake and we pounded grayling. Both of us being nymph fishermen, little #16 BH Hare’s ears produced a ton of fish. Haven’t been back since, but wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t a self-sustaining population today. Oh ya, you have Crater Lake listed for Idaho too.
When I first moved back to Idaho, heard about the grayling there and told a YOUNGER buddy to try it. He came back with pics of BIG grayling, all looked like 18-20” The hike is ¼ mile from the road, but pretty much straight down. Found out if you go past the lake, someone has cut out an atv trail to the lake. The trail is over a mile long to the lake, but is really easy.
I’ve added Rapid Lake as a historic lake, but can’t find any current records referring to Arctic grayling in the lake. It seems that they are easily out-competed by trout when stocked together. Still have that picture? Contact me here and I’ll send you an email address.
Hi! Part of my work involves studying historic fish introductions. Do you have a citation for your statement that T. arcticus had a failed introduction in Oregon in 1900? If it isn’t Bowers (1901) on the Commission of Fish and Fisheries, please let me know what it is. Thank you!
Yes, Bowers 1901 is the original reference.
I found it at a USGS site.
See here.
And here; search until you find record 40751.
Good Luck.
Thanks! I just wanted to check if there was another reference there I’d been missing.
We just got back from fishing Pomeroy Lake up near ST. Elmo (Colorado/Chaffee County) and were pulling grayling in all day, along with a bunch of cutty’s. I’ve lived here 10 years, my buddy’s a native fisherman, never seen grayling in these lakes before.
The only reference I see to grayling in Pomeroy Lake said it was stocked previously, but few grayling are caught.
I added Pomeroy Lake to the list of lakes in Colorado with grayling along with a few other lakes I found with new (2002) grayling references.
Thanks for the comment.
Did you get any pics?
Spectacular page! Very informative. Thank you!