Species Index

Game and Fish Home

Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

Identifying Characteristics

	Large dorsal fin
	Distinguished from trout by the coarse scales and large dorsal fin
	Distinguished from whitefish by the larger dorsal fin, large mouth and spots on the sides
	Distinguished from suckers by the presence of an adipose fin

Other Information

Grayling are native in cold-water regions of the Northern hemisphere. In North America, their native range was across northern Canada with southern extensions into Michigan and the upper Missouri Drainage above the falls. Grayling, a Wyoming native, have been introduced into a number of high lakes in Wyoming. Though they are a cold-water species, grayling generally do best in relatively shallow high lakes with more moderate summer water temperatures and longer growing seasons than those found in many alpine lakes.

The grayling is a spring spawner, migrating into inlet tributaries to spawn over gravel beds. Some grayling populations tend to become "stunted’ due to the fish’s prolific nature. Food of the grayling is similar to other Wyoming salmonids with perhaps a higher preference for terrestrial insects.

Angling Tips

Grayling are easily caught on small flies and spinners.