Arctic Char

The Arctic Char is a cold-water fish, native to alpine lakes and arctic coastal waters. The English name is thought to derive from the Old Irish ceara/cera for 'blood red', referring to its pink-red belly. This would also connect with its Welsh name torgoch, 'red belly'. No other freshwater fish is found as far north as the Arctic Char. The Arctic Char is closely related to both salmon and lake trout, and has many characteristics of both. The fish is highly variable in color, depending on the time of year and the environmental conditions of the lake where it lives. Individual fish can weigh 20 lb (9kg). Generally, whole market-sized fish are around 2-5 lb (1-2 kg).