Catch your first Arctic Char in 3 steps
A simple, repeatable plan juniors can follow with help from a parent, coach or older angler.
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Step 1
Respect sensitive upland waters
Arctic Char inhabit fragile, cold lakes and rivers. Any junior involvement should be part of carefully controlled, conservation-aware fishing with local guidance.
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Step 2
Use light game tackle with barbless hooks
Float, spinner or fly tactics must be scaled to protect small, deep-bodied fish. Strong enough gear avoids prolonged fights, and barbless hooks make release easier.
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Step 3
Focus on education, not numbers
Use Char mainly to teach juniors about glacial lakes, cold-water species and habitat care. Keep handling minimal and follow any mandatory catch-and-release rules.
About the Arctic Char
The Arctic Char is one of Britain’s most beautiful and mysterious game fish, belonging to the salmon family. It thrives in cold, deep, clear lakes where few other species can survive. With its silvery body and pink to orange belly, it looks like a cross between a brown trout and a salmon, and in spawning colours can turn vivid red with white-edged fins.
Char are mainly found in the Scottish Highlands, Lake District, and a few upland lakes in Wales and Ireland, making them one of the UK’s rarest native fish. Some populations remain in freshwater all their lives, while others migrate to the sea and return like salmon.
They are powerful, fast-swimming predators that feed on insects, shrimps, and small fish, especially during the colder months. In summer they stay deep, where the water is cooler and well-oxygenated, and are best fished for early or late in the day when they rise to feed.
Because Arctic Char only thrive in the cleanest, coldest waters, they are a vital indicator of water quality and climate health. Many lakes protect them under conservation laws, and anglers are encouraged to practise catch-and-release to help safeguard remaining populations.
Junior tip
Arctic Char are sensitive to disturbance and temperature. Fish early morning or evening with light gear and fine presentation.
Focus on deep, clear lakes and slow retrieves with natural-coloured flies or lures.
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Want to discover more species? Browse the
full species guide.