Bull trout differ slightly in appearance: the upper jaw curves downward; the snout is more pointed and the spots on the back are larger and farther apart. Also, in general appearance a Dolly looks flattened from side to side, while a bull trout looks slightly squashed, as though pressure has been applied to its back.
What’s the difference between bull trout and Dolly Varden?
The Dolly Varden and bull trout can generally be distinguished by their size and habitat. The Dolly Varden is usually a coastal species whereas the larger bull trout is found inland in large, cold rivers and lakes draining high, mountainous areas.
How can you tell Dolly Varden?
Dolly Varden look like, and are often confused with, Arctic char. Dolly Varden generally have a greenish body with many small (smaller than the pupil of the eye) spots, a relatively-thick caudal peduncle (constriction in body at base of tail fin), and a slightly-forked tail.
What is the difference between arctic char and Dolly Varden?
Arctic char have more gill rakers (bony projections on the gill arches) and more pyloric caeca (finger-like projections on the stomach) than Dolly Varden.
Is Arctic char a bull trout?
Introduction. The Bull Trout is in the family of Char, which includes other fish such as the Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Brook Trout, and Arctic Char. The bull trout is an endangered species of char, and most anglers are required by law to release them.
How can you tell a bull trout?
While variable, bull trout body coloration is primarily grayish-green, fading to a white or orange belly. Vibrantly-colored spots on the body may range from white to pale-yellow, or even pink to red. Fins are spotless except for a few yellow dots at the base of the tail.
Is Dolly Varden good eating?
The meat of a Dolly Varden is often pink and is a taste treat you have to experience to appreciate, folks! It’s kind of a cross between trout and salmon. Just about any trout recipe will work with Dolly Varden, so here is a couple to whet your appetite.
Where do Dolly Varden trout live?
Dolly Varden range from the coastal areas of southeast Alaska across the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea into the Beaufort Sea to the Mackenzie River in Canada. Specifically in North America these char range from Washington state to the Arctic coast of Canada.
When can you catch Dolly Varden?
The best months to plan your Alaska fishing trip for Dolly Varden in freshwater are July, August and Sept. Some areas begin the peak run as early as June and others have a peak run that runs as late as October.
Where do Dolly Varden live?
Dolly Varden (Western Arctic populations) is found in northeastern Eurasia, and northwestern North America. In North America, the northern form of Dolly Varden ranges north from Bristol Bay in Alaska, along the north slope of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and east to the Mackenzie River.
How do you fish for Dolly Varden?
The best Dolly Varden lures are small silver spinners and spoons especially when the char is on the hunt for juvenile salmon. The fish loves salmon eggs and will feed on any poorly buried roe it can find. That is the best bait to use during the peak salmon run when the fish is following the salmon.
Is Arctic char a Dolly Varden?
Dolly Varden is an Arctic Char that lives in the ocean but returns to fresh water to spawn. Much like a steelhead vs rainbow trout. Dollies are usually around in plentiful numbers during June and July with some arriving as late as September in some creeks.
What do Dolly Varden eat?
In cases where they eat outmigrating fry, Dolly Varden primarily feed on pink salmon. Their ability to capture these is directly related to fry abundance. Thus, more fry are eaten when large numbers are available and the overall effect on the population is less significant.
Which trout are actually trout?
Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera Oncorhynchus, Salmo and Salvelinus, all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word trout is also used as part of the name of some non-salmonid fish such as Cynoscion nebulosus, the spotted seatrout or speckled trout.
Are bull trout actually trout?
The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) is a char of the family Salmonidae native to northwestern North America. Historically, S. confluentus has been known as the “Dolly Varden” (S.
| Bull trout | |
|---|---|
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Salmoniformes |
| Family: | Salmonidae |
| Genus: | Salvelinus |
Which trout are actually char?
The genus Salvelinus contains the brook trout, Dolly Varden trout, lake trout (qq. v.), and bull trout. These are all species of chars. The genus Oncorhynchus contains the cutthroat trout, rainbow trout (qq.
Do bull trout have red spots?
Bull trout have pale yellow spots along the back and red or orange spots along the sides. The general appearance is that of light spots on a darker background, as is the case with all of the chars (true trout have dark spots on a lighter background).
What colors are bull trout?
Their bodies are dark olive in color, with small red spots on the sides and yellowish spots near the tail and cream leading edges of their fins. Their eyes sit on top of their large, flat heads. Bull trout from the McCloud River were said to reach lengths near 70 cm (about 28 in.)
How big do bull trout get?
Common length for the bull trout is 25 inches with the maximum reported length being 40.5 inches. The maximum reported weight of a bull trout is at 31 pounds and 15 ounces.
Why is a fish called Dolly Varden?
It appears that the first recorded use of the Dolly Varden name for fish referred to S. confluentus, now commonly known as the bull trout. This was likely due to overlapping ranges and similar appearances among members of the two species.
What do bull trout taste like?
They are technically trout, but they behave like salmon. They also taste like mild salmon. The flesh has a medium flakiness. It also has an orange to pink color.