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Arctic Grayling
Thymallus arcticus
Other common names:
Grayling. Sometimes incorrectly called whitefish.
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 15-50cm
Maximum length: 75cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 1-2kg
Maximum weight: 2.7kg
What do they look like?
Arctic grayling have trout-like
bodies; the head is short, with
large eyes. One of its most
distinguishing features is the
large (dorsal) fin on its back.
The mouth is small and
toothed. This is one of our most
beautiful fish; once seen it is
never forgotten. The head is
olive-green with a mauve
iridescence, and the eye is dark
green and gold. The dorsal fin is
black with a narrow, mauve- or
wine-coloured edge, often with
a wider blue band below. This
fin also has vertical rows of spots
that vary in colour; the first row
can be orange-red, mauve or
wine in colour; the other rows
are blue- green to emerald
green and also iridescent. The
back is dark purple, or blueblack
to blue-grey, or olive-grey.
The scales on the sides are
silvery grey
to dark blue,
or blue-green
with a
spectacular bluegreen
iridescence. In the sun,
the iridescent scales may show
yellow outlines. The markings
on the sides are either V- or
diamond-shaped. The belly is
grey to white. The pelvic fins are
black with wavy mauve or
orange lines; the other fins are
dusky to bronze. The colours are
more pronounced in males than
in females.
Where do they live?
Arctic grayling live throughout
the northern drainage systems.
A few small populations still
survive in Montana. Historically
Arctic grayling were also found
in Michigan; those fish are now
extinct. In British Columbia they are found from the Peace and
Stikine rivers to the northern
border. For a short time Arctic
grayling occured in the Flat
head drainage in Southeastern
B.C., these were strays from a
fish introduction in Montana.
These fish like the clear waters
of large, cold rivers, rocky creeks
and lakes.
What do they eat?
Young fish eat zooplankton at
first, but shift to insect larvae,
such as mayflies and caddis flies
as they grow. Larger fish will eat
almost any invertebrates but
prefer aquatic and terrestrial
insects, such as bees, wasps,
grasshoppers and ants. They
will also eat fish, fish eggs, and
zooplankton.
What is their life cycle like?
In smaller streams, Arctic
grayling may begin to spawn in
the spring when the ice is
beginning to break up;
elsewhere they will often wait
until spring freshet. They spawn
in small gravel- or rockbottomed
tributaries or in mainstem rivers. They make no
redd, or nest. The young hatch
quickly, after only a couple of
weeks. Most fish are mature by
the time they are six to nine
years old; many survive to
complete several spawning
migrations. Males do not like to
see other males nearby when
they are ready to spawn; they
find a private area, tucked in
among some boulders or
bedrock, which they protect by
attacking rival males.
How are they doing?
In general, Arctic grayling is
yellow-listed, which means the
species is not at risk in British
Columbia. Populations in the
watershed draining to the
Williston Reservoir are red-listed;
these populations have been
affected by the flooding of their
river and stream habitats when
the reservoir behind the W.A.C.
Bennett Dam was filled. Grayling
are sensitively balanced to their
environment and many
populations suffer from overfishing
and habitat loss resulting
from industrial activity, such as
logging and oil exploration.
How you can help:
- It is important to obey angling regulations and habitat protection bylaws, guidelines and regulations, since they were designed to protect the fish and their habitat. You should also Observe, Record and Report violations of the regulations by phoning 1-800-663- 9453. Arctic grayling are vulnerable to overharvest so the use of a barbless hook and practicing catch and release are recommended.
- This species is highly vulnerable to human activities which distrupt migration patterns, reduce cover, or increase sedimentation and water temperature.
- Form a group of water stewards and volunteer to monitor local water quality.
- Never transport live fish or other organisms from one body of water to another. You could transfer diseases and parasites from one ecosystem to another or upset the natural balance in the ecosystem where they are released.
No kidding!
- Arctic grayling are popular sport fish because of their beautiful colours and are one of the few species in much of northern Canada that provide fly fishing opportunities.
- The largest grayling ever caught in Canada was 76 cm long and weighed 2.69 kg. These fish are very territorial, with the largest and strongest fish occupying the most advantageous position in a pool. Feeding territories are established and maintained through a series of ritual challenge displays.
Black Crappie Not Native to BC
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Brook Trout Not Native to BC
Salvelinus fontinalis
Other common names:
Eastern Brook Trout, Speckled Trout,
Coaster Trout, Coasters
Brown Trout Not Native to BC
Salmo trutta morpha fario and Salmo trutta morpha lacustris
Bull Trout
Salvelinus confluentus
Other common names:
Sometimes incorrectly referred to as Dolly Varden Trout
Burbot
Lota lota
Other common names:
It has a variety of names across North America. In B.C. it is often called ling or freshwater cod. Sometimes it is incorrectly referred to as ling cod; ling cod is a saltwater fish unrelated to the burbot.
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 30-75cm
Maximum length: 90cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 1-7kg
Maximum weight: 9kg
What do they look like?
This fish looks like a ling cod,
with a long body tapering to
the rounded tail. The head is
flattened with a long snout and
a large mouth. It has a whiskerlike
appendage, called a
barbel, on its chin and at each
nostril, and two fins on its
back. The base of the fin
behind the head is quite short;
the other is at least six times
longer. Burbot can vary in
colour from very pale to very
dark, but are usually olivecoloured
with mottled, darkish
markings on the back and sides
and a yellowish or duskycoloured
belly. Large fins are
mottled and have a dark
border. It is protected by a
heavy covering of mucus
which gives it a smooth and
slippery feel when handled.
Where do they live?
This fish is widespread in cold,
freshwater habitats in Europe,
Siberia and North America. In
British Columbia, burbot are
found in lakes and rivers
throughout the Columbia, Fraser, Skeena, St. Kine, Alsek,
Nass, Peace, Liard and Yukon
systems. This fish usually
spends its time on the bottom
in the deep, cool areas of lakes
and rivers. They have been
caught as deep as 210 m.
Young burbot can be found
along rocky lake shores and in
weedy areas, or hiding
between the rocks in tributary
streams.
What do they eat?
Like many other fish species,
burbot are predators. They are
able to swallow fish nearly their
own size. For example, there is
one report of a 38 cm burbot
whose stomach contained a
30 cm walleye. As one of the
top predators, it has an
important role to play in the
fish community. Their diet
includes whitefish, kokanee,
juvenile salmon, suckers,
stickleback and perch, as well
as crayfish and fish eggs in
streams. They will also eat
Mysis shrimp. Younger fish
feed on aquatic insects.
What is their life cycle like?
The burbot is one of the few
Canadian freshwater fish that
spawns in mid-winter under
the ice. January through March
is their spawning period. They
spawn at night, in shallow
water up to 1.25 metres deep,
over sand or gravel. Spawning
is usually in lakes but they
occasionally move into rivers to
spawn. They are weaker
swimmers than trout or char
and need slower water to make
their spawning migrations. Ten
to twelve adult burbot usually
spawn together in a squirming
ball about 60 cm in diameter
which moves over the bottom
shedding milt and tiny eggs.
This species does not make a
nest and gives its offspring no
parental care. The eggs hatch
after about 30 days. Burbot are
one of the few freshwater
fishes, in the province, that go
through a larval stage before
growing into a fry. In Canada,
burbot live to a maximum age
of about 23 years.
How are they doing?
Burbot is yellow-listed, which
means that the species is not at
risk in British Columbia. It is
quite common in some areas of
the province and most
populations appear to be doing
well. However, some
populations have declined
drastically. For example the
populations in the Kootenay
River between Kootenay Lake
and Lake Kookanusa; and the
Columbia River downstream of
Hugh Keenleyside Dam, which
have been affected by changes
in riverflows as a result of dam
construction.
How You Can Help:
- It is important to obey angling regulations and habitat protection bylaws, guidelines and regulations, since they are designed to protect the fish and their habitat. You should also Observe, Record and Report violations of the regulations by phoning 1-800-663-9453.
- Never transport live fish or other organisms from one body of water to another. This could transfer diseases and parasites from one ecosystem to another, or upset the natural balance in the ecosystem where they are released.
- Be aware that what you dump down the sink or into sewers may find its way into streams.
- Help keep water quality high by using detergents and soaps minimally and do not dump harsh chemicals, such as bleach, paint thinners or antifreeze, into drains.
- Form a group of water stewards and volunteer to monitor local water quality.
No kidding!
- Female burbot can carry more than a million eggs.
- As they grow larger, they tend to eat bigger fish, not more fish.
- Burbot hunt at night, by ambush locating their prey first by smell, then by vibrations as the prey nears. Finally, when the prey is close enough, they make a rapid, close-range attack.
- Like saltwater cod, the burbot's liver contains large amounts of vitamins A and D.
- Many anglers have discovered that burbot are excellent for fish and chips.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Other common names:
Spring Salmon, King Salmon, Tyee Salmon, Columbia River Salmon, Black Salmon, Chub Salmon, Hook Bill Salmon, Winter Salmon, Quinnat Salmon and Blackmouth
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Other common names:
Silver Salmon
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarki clarki
Other common names:
Yellowbellies, cutties, cutts, harvest trout, sea trout.
Size:
Resident fish:
Maximum length: 76cm
Maximum weight: 7.7kg
Sea-run fish:
Maximum weight: 7.7kg
Maximum length: 68cm
Maximum weight: 3.6kg
Maximum weight: 3.6kg
What do they look like?
Cutthroat trout usually have a
distinctive red or orange streak
under their lower jaw. This may not
be obvious on those found in salt
water. Coastal cutthroat differ from
all other trout by having many spots
all over the sides of the body, on the
head and often on the belly and
fins. Like all salmonids, they have an
adipose fin, a soft, fleshy fin on the
back. Sea-run individuals are silvery;
sometimes their bellies have a
distinct lemon colour, while
freshwater fish are usually darker,
with a coppery or brassy sheen. The
body may have a pale yellowish
colouring, lower fins may be yellow
to orange-red, and sexually-mature
fish often have a rose tint
underneath. Unlike rainbow trout
cutthroat have small teeth at the
base of the tongue.
Where do they live?
Coastal cutthroat trout are
found from southern Alaska
to the Eel River in California. They
do not extend very far inland,
usually less than 150 km from the
coast. The farthest inland they occur
in B.C. is the headwaters of the
Skeena River. They occur on all our
coastal islands with suitable habitat,
and in practically all streams and
lakes of the coastal region.
These fish prefer gravelly, lowland
streams and lakes. Small, cool, clean
streams with gravel are needed for
spawning and young cutthroat trout
spend up to three years rearing in
these streams. Some resident fish
have a home territory, somtimes a
pool only 18 m long, in which they
spend their whole life. Coastal
cutthroat also exist as an
anadromous form which migrates to
the ocean but returns regularly to
fresh water to feed or over-winter.
Cutthroat trout which migrate to
the sea usually remain within estuaries or near shore, moving in
and out with the tides as they feed.
Extensive migrations can occur
along shoals; individuals can travel
100 km from their natal streams to
feeding streams. When mature they
return to spawn in the stream where
they hatched. Although they usually
spawn in the spring, fall spawning is
also know to occur.
What do they eat?
Coastal cutthroat are highly
predatory, feeding on other fish, but
during the salmon spawning season
they also eat loose eggs. In the
ocean they feed on crustaceans as
well as fish. The young feed mostly
on insects.
What is their life cycle like?
Coastal cutthroat trout are usually
sexually mature at the age of three
to four years and spawning occurs
from February to May. Eggs are laid
and fertilized in a redd, a gravel nest
built by the female. After six or
seven weeks, the eggs hatch and
after another week or so the fry
leave the nest and are free
swimming. Sea-run cutthroat trout
usually migrate into salt water in the
late spring or early summer at two
or three years of age and return to
freshwater in the late autumn or early winter to feed and if mature to
spawn. They can live to a maximum
age of about 10 years but few
actually survive long enough to
spawn more than twice; angler
harvest and predators take a
heavy toll.
How are they doing?
The coastal cutthroat is a blue-listed
species, which means the species is
considered vulnerable in British
Columbia. Several populations,
particularly those on the East coast
of Vancouver Island and the Lower
Mainland, near Vancouver, are in
serious decline. Many runs are
already extinct. Their dependence
on small streams for spawning and
rearing makes them especially
vulnerable, as small streams are
easily altered or destroyed and their
protection is often overlooked in
planning residential, agricultural,
and industrial developments or
during forest harvesting.
How you can help:
- Since cutthroat trout are very susceptible to over-fishing, using a barbless hook and practicing catch and release are recommended.
- It is important to obey angling regulations and habitat protection bylaws, guidelines and regulations, since they were designed to protect the fish and their habitat. You should also Observe, Record and Report violations of the regulations by phoning 1-800-663-9453.
- Cutthroat trout are highly vulnerable to urban development and agricultural practices that remove streamside vegetation, alter streamflow, increase sedimentation, nutrient input, and water temperature. If you own property bordering a stream or lake, try to protect or plant native trees and shrubs along the banks which provide shade, capture excess nutrients from fertilizers and manure, and prevent erosion.
- Form a group of water stewards and volunteer to monitor local water quality and other habitat changes in lakes or streams.
- Be aware that what you dump into your septic tank or roadside storm drain may find its way into streams or lakes. Help keep water quality high by using detergents and soaps minimally and do not dump harsh chemicals, such as bleach, paint thinners or antifreeze, into drains.
No kidding!
- Coastal cutthroat were much more abundant in the past. There are accounts of people catching several hundred fish an hour in the Qualicum River on Vancouver Island.
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Other common names:
Dog Salmon, Keta Salmon, Silverbrite Salmon
Dolly Varden
Salvelinus malma
Other common names:
Dollies, sometimes bull trout. They are often confused with bull trout, since these two different species of char are very similar looking. Until recently (the late 1980s and early '90s) they were believed to be the same species.
Size:
Length range for resident adults: 7-45cm
Maximum weight for resident fish: 1kg
Length range for anadromous adults: 30-60cm
Maximum weight for anadromous fish: 2.3kg
Kokanee
Oncorhynchus nerka
Other common names:
Kickininee, Little Redfish, Silver Trout, Landlocked Sockeye, Blueback
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 20-25cm
Maximum length: 60cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 0.1-0.2kg
Maximum weight: 4.5kg
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
Other common names:
Char, grey trout, lake char, laker
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 45-65cm
Maximum length: 125cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 1-3kg
Maximum weight: 21kg
Northern Pike Native to Northeast BC Only
Esox lucius
Other common names:
Pike, Great Northern Pike, Jack, Jackfish, Pickerel
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 45-75cm
Maximum length: 117cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 0.5-4kg
Maximum weight: 13kg
Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Other common names:
Humpback Salmon
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Other common names:
Kamloops Trout, Gerrard Trout, Silver Trout, Redband Trout, and Steelhead
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 30-75cm
Maximum length: 90cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 1-7kg
Maximum weight: 9kg
Smallmouth Bass Not Native to BC
Micropterus dolomieu
Other common names:
Smallmouth, Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Brownie, Smallie, and Bronze Bass
Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
Other common names:
Red Salmon, Blueback Salmon
Steelhead Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Other common names:
Historically they were called steelhead-salmon, salmon-trout or in some areas, hardhead.
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 50-85cm
Maximum length: 120cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 1.4-6.8kg
Maximum weight: 21kg
Walleye Eastern - origin species native only to Northern BC
Stizostedion vitreum
Other common names:
Pike-perch, Pickerel
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 30-50cm
Maximum length: 70cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 0.5-1kg
Maximum weight: 5kg
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
Other common names:
Blackspotted Cutthroat
Whitefish
Prosopium williamsoni
Other common names:
Rocky Mountain whitefish. It is sometimes incorrectly called grayling.
Size:
Typical range in length for adults: 15-45cm
Maximum length: 58.5cm
Typical range in weight for adults: 0.5-1.3kg
Maximum weight: 2.3kg
White Sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanus, meaning "sturgeon beyond the mountains"
Other common names:
Pacific Sturgeon, Oregon Sturgeon, Columbia Sturgeon, Sacramento Sturgeon, California White Sturgeon
Yellow Perch Eastern - origin species native only to Northern BC
Perca flavescens
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