Arctic grayling in Alaska

Alaska waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

• Aniak RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Kanektok RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Goodnews RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Chena RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Unalakleet RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Nome CreekAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Tok RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Arolik RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Holitna RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Egegik RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Ugashik RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish
• Delta Clearwater RiverAgency list: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish

Identification

• The most striking features are the large, sail-like dorsal (back) fin and colourful body markings.[1]
  What the source says

  “Its most striking physical features are the large, sail-like dorsal (back) fin and colorful body markings.”

• The dorsal fin is usually fringed in red and dotted with large iridescent red, aqua or purple spots and markings.[1]
  What the source says

  “Their dorsal fins are typically fringed in red and dotted with large iridescent red, aqua, or purple spots and markings.”

• USFWS says it is the only grayling species found in North America.[2]
  What the source says

  “They are the only salmonoid with a distinguishing sail-like dorsal and the only grayling species found in North America.”

More on identifying arctic grayling

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

• In 2020 USFWS announced that Endangered Species Act protections for the Upper Missouri River distinct population segment of Arctic grayling are not warranted.[3]
  What the source says

  “protections for the Upper Missouri River distinct population segment (DPS) of the Arctic grayling are not warranted”

• The Montana Field Guide says the river-dwelling (fluvial) grayling population in the upper Big Hole River is the last remnant of Montana's fluvial grayling.[4]
  What the source says

  “Consequently, the fluvial or river-dwelling population in the upper Big Hole River are the last remnants”

• The Montana Field Guide gives Arctic grayling a state rank of S1.[4]
  What the source says

  “State Rank: S1”

• Historically, grayling also lived in Michigan, but USFWS says the Michigan population has been extirpated.[3]
  What the source says

  “While the Michigan population has been extirpated”

Water temperature in Alaska

Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Alaska rule:

• Under the federal 68°F lineThat is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
• Stressful for troutAt 68°F the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says rainbow trout “start stressing”, and the National Park Service at Grand Teton recommends that anglers “cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F.” Its advice: “Fish early in the morning while the water temperature is cooler”, “Play and land fish quickly to reduce exhaustion stress” and “Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.”

Sources: High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service); Up a climate-stressed creek (9 June 2023) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

Hatch & season charts

• Alaska8 sourced rows

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

1. Arctic Grayling Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Listing of the Arctic Grayling Not Warranted (press release, Jul 22, 2020; archived) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Arctic Grayling - MONTANA FIELD GUIDE Montana Natural Heritage Program / Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, read Oct 24, 2026.