Species guide
How to catch Dolly varden
Salvelinus malma
The Dolly Varden is a colorful char known for its adaptability to freshwater, brackish, and saltwater environments. It is a skilled predator that inhabits clean mountain streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. This fish is prized by anglers for its fighting ability and can grow quite large.
Where they live
Found in clean mountain streams, deep river pools, lakes, and coastal waters across North America, Asia, and parts of Europe. Usually anadromous but also exists in landlocked populations.
Typical size
Up to about 127 cm
What they eat
- small fish such as sculpins and sticklebacks
- juvenile salmon
- insects and spiders
- plankton
Best baits
- small fish imitations
- salmon eggs
- insect larvae
Best lures
- spoons
- spinners
- streamers
How to fish for them
- fly fishing
- spinning with spoons or spinners
- bait fishing with salmon eggs
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