Species profile
Dolly Varden Char
Salvelinus malma
Identify Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 8 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma) is a bony-fish species regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (British Columbia); the most generous is 10 (Alaska).
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 16.4 in (≈ 1 ft 4 in).
Confirmed by 418 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Named after a colorfully dressed character in Charles Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge.
- Sea-run populations migrate to saltwater and grow significantly larger than landlocked fish.
- Distinctive pale yellow, orange, and red spots adorn its olive-green sides.
- Can live up to 19 years in cold northern rivers and lakes.
- Gorges on salmon eggs each autumn, congregating below spawning salmon redds.
Where Dolly Varden Char are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Dolly Varden Char
Protected status
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Dolly Varden. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The Dolly Varden fish is not a trout, it is actually a char. It was once the name for three separate species of char, but now it is only the name for one.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Dolly Varden Char article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Dolly Varden Char?
Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma) is a bony-fish species regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Dolly Varden Char?
Dolly Varden Char is Salvelinus malma.
Is Dolly Varden Char regulated for fishing?
Yes — Dolly Varden Char has fishing regulations in 8 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Dolly Varden Char?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Dolly Varden Char along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.