Arctic Grayling: Alaska Fish Species Guide

The most noteworthy attribute of the Arctic grayling is its huge dorsal fin. It’s been coined the “sailfish of the north” by some. They are a colorful fish with dark backs, sides that can be black, bronze, silver, gold or blue, a whitish belly that is separated from their sides with a lighter band, often golden colored. The dorsal is edged in red, and often has iridescent, multi-colored spots. Grayling have large eyes and small mouths.

Grayling are slow growing and long lived; grayling have been aged up to 32 years old. They require clean water, and are thus an “indicator species” of the water quality. An average grayling is about 12 inches long, any fish over 18 inches are large. The current state record Arctic grayling was 24 inches long and weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce. There are six grayling species, but only the Arctic grayling is found in North America.

The most noteworthy attribute of the Arctic grayling is its huge dorsal fin. It’s been coined the “sailfish of the north” by some. They are a colorful fish with dark backs, sides that can be black, bronze, silver, gold or blue, a whitish belly that is separated from their sides with a lighter band, often golden colored. The dorsal is edged in red, and often has iridescent, multi-colored spots. Grayling have large eyes and small mouths.

When and Where to Catch Grayling

Grayling are slow growing and long lived; grayling have been aged up to 32 years old. They require clean water, and are thus an “indicator species” of the water quality. An average grayling is about 12 inches long, any fish over 18 inches are large. The current state record Arctic grayling was 24 inches long and weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce. There are six grayling species, but only the Arctic grayling is found in North America.

Among the best places to fish for Arctic grayling in Alaska are Gulkana, Chena, Tanana, Susitna, Ugashik and Yukon rivers. There are many rivers on the Nome road system that hold quality grayling. They can be found in many lakes; Crescent Lake on the Kenai Peninsula is a Southcentral hot spot. Grayling have one of the largest naturally occurring ranges of any fish in Alaska. They aren’t any in the Aleutians, Kodiak Island or Southeast, except those that have been stocked.

Arctic grayling don’t actively feed in the winter, so anglers wanting to catch them target grayling from May through September. During that time period, they are aggressive, opportunistic feeders. Some of their favorite foods include mayflies, black flies, caddis flies, stone flies, salmon eggs and smolt, and the occasional vole or shrew.

Arctic Grayling Gear

Both spin- and fly anglers enjoy catching grayling. Fly anglers can show up to the party with a basic 9-foot, 5-weight, fast-action rod, with weight forward floating line and an 8-foot leader tapered to 8-pound-test. Spin anglers can fish a light rod, say an 8-foot stick rated for 6- to 10-pound-test, and a matching reel with 20-pound-test braid mainline, tied to an 8-foot leader of 8-pound-test fluorocarbon. Stock the fly box with size 8, 10 and 12 in floating patterns representative of the aforementioned food sources, as well as similar sized nymphs.

Go for smaller mice patterns since grayling have small mouths. Bead sizes should match the local salmon population; size 6- and 8 mm should do the trick most of the time. Spin fishermen will want to bring a box with size 0 and 1 spinners and size 1 and 2 spoons. In moving water, regardless of the tool of choice, egg patterns or nymphs are dead-drifted, while topwater patterns and smolt imitations are twitched or stripped as they drift.

Rivers:

• Gulkana
• Chena
• Tanana
• Susitna
• Ugashik
• Yukon

Lakes:

• Crescent Lake on the Kenai Peninsula

Always check current area ADF&G regulations before fishing.