How To Catch Artic Char

Are you looking for a new fishing challenge? Do you want to learn how to catch Artic Char? Artic Char is a saltwater and coldwater fish that fights hard and is found in the Artic, sub-Artic, alpine lakes, and coastal waters. In this article, we share information on how to catch Artic Char, the best fishing methods, and the best baits and lures.

How To Catch Artic Char

Artic Char can be found in cold water rivers, streams, and subarctic coastal wares with depths ranging from 3 to 230 feet. They spawn in freshwater lakes and calm rivers during autumn and winter. Artic Char likes to be in shallow waters and is easily spooked by shadows. Artic Char can be caught by baitcasting, drift fishing, fly fishing, jigging, and still fishing.

1. Drift Fishing

Drift fishing is a fishing method in which the boat moves at the speed of the water current and the line with the bait moves with the current. Drifting allows you to cover a lot of water and allows you to catch a variety of fish. Drift fishing allows you to target fish in different water columns as anglers usually use multiple lines set at different depths.

2. Baitcasting

Baitcasting is a fishing method in which you cast your bait into the water and retrieve it. This is done in areas where you spot fish on your fish finder or sonar device. Casting and retrieving are done repeatedly until you get a bite. When there is a bite, you set in the hook and retrieve the fish.

3. Jigging

Jigging is another fishing method anglers use to catch fish that are deep in the water column. A line rigged with bait is dropped to the bottom or close to the bottom where the fish are located. It is pulled up in bursts repeatedly to get the attention of fish.

When the fish are attracted to the jig, thinking it is baitfish, they often will go for the bite and the angler will set the hook in and reel in the fish.

4. Fly Fishing

Fly fishing involves casting flies and retrieving them until you get a strike from fish. Fly fishing involves more skills and experienced anglers are often found fly fishing. It is not advisable for a beginner to fly fish but you just need to do fly fish regularly to improve your fly fishing skills to the point that you are successful in catching fish when fly fishing.

5. Still Fishing

Still fishing is a simple and effective fishing method used by anglers to catch fish. It is ideal if you are learning how to catch Artic Char. When still fishing, you set the bait on the line and just drop it into the water and wait. When fish find the bait and strike, you set the hook in and reel in the fish.

6. Trolling

Trolling is a fishing method anglers use to catch a variety of fish. When in a boat, the boat is moved at a slow speed with the line attached at the back. The bait moves slowly in the water and this attracts fish to make a strike

When a strike is made, anglers will take the line, set the hook in, and reel in the fish. Trolling allows you to cover a lot of water in a short period of time. Additionally, anglers set lines at different depths to increase their chances of catching fish.

Best Bait For Artic Char

1. Clams

When fishing for Artic Char, clams are used as bait. It is a good bait to use when learning how to catch Artic Char.

2. Leeches

Leeches are also a good bait that is used when fishing for Artic Char.

3. Mussels

Mussels work well when fishing for Artic Char.

Best Lures For Artic Char

1. Flies

Fly fishing is a fishing method used to catch Artic Char and flies are used when fly fishing.

2. Plugs

Plugs are effective as lures when fishing for Artic Char.

3. Spoons

Spoons work well when fishing for Artic Char.

Artic Char Fishing Setup

Most of the time anglers will fly fish for Artic Char. Use a fly fishing rod with a weight range of 5 to 8 lbs and a reel that can hold a monofilament line of about 100 meters and support a minimum of 20 lbs. Conventiontional fishing rods and reels can also be used when fishing with other methods besides fly fishing.

How To Catch Artic Char In Alaska

Artic Char is often found in shallow waters and is not as cautious as trout. They are aggressive and strong. Fly fishing is a popular fishing method for catching Artic Char. When fly fishing for Artic Char in Alaska, look for shallow waters with gravel bottoms where Artic Char can be found.

Additionally, cast upstream so the fish see the fly and not the leader. The fly will make the presentation more natural instead of the leader which will spook them. When fly fishing in fast-moving waters, cast carefully and don’t cast too often in one spot. Moreover, try to avoid casting your shadow on the waters as they get easily spooked by it.

How To Catch Artic Char In Scotland

Artic Charr is found in freshwater in Scotland. You can find them in standing waters although you can find some in rivers. When fishing for Artic charr in Scotland, you can fly fish to catch them. Since most of the Artic CHarr are found in standing water, you can use waders and wade for them.

It is a fine balance to fly fish for Artic CHarr and not spook them, but that is what you will have to do in standing water. They can also get spooked by shadows or if you fly fish in the same spot for quite a while.

Artic Char Fishing Tips

1. Artic Char are found in cold water rivers, and subarctic coastal waters in depths ranging from 3 to 230 feet.

2. Artic Char spawn in freshwater lakes and calm rivers in autumn and winter when the water temperature is below 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. When fly fishing for Artic Char when they are not spawning, use a stripping retrieve. The stripping retrieve draws the fly perpendicular across the current in short motions which will get the attention of the fish.

4. If you fly fish for Artic Char in Alaska, the period from late May to early July is the best time to target them.

5. Fly fishing, jigging, still fishing, drift fishing, baitcasting, and trolling are some of the fishing methods used to catch Artic Char.

6. When fishing for Artic Char, look for shallow, gravel-bottomed water. This is where you can find many Artic Char hanging out.

7. When fly fishing in fast-moving waters, cast carefully. Additionally, don’t remain in one spot too long as this tends to scare Artic Char away.

8. Artic Char is easily spooked by shadows. be mindful of your shadow when fly fishing for them.

9. Cast your fly upstream of the fish so they see the fly instead of the leader. They easily get spooked if they spot the leader. The fy will look more natural than the leader.

10. Spawning occurs in Fall from August to October.

The Bottom Line

Artic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a saltwater and freshwater fish that is closely related to trout and salmon. It is found in Artic, sub-Artic, and coastal waters in depths ranging from 3 to 230 feet. It is a hard-fighting fish that is usually found in shallow waters with gravel bottoms.

In this article, we discussed how to catch Artic Char as well as shared other information that can improve your chances of catching this fish. It is closely related to trout and salmon and if you fish for trout and salmon, you may be interested in reading how to catch salmon, how to catch spotted seatrout, how to catch sand seatrout, how to catch Atlantic salmon, how to catch alligator gar, and trout fishing tips for beginners.