Science & Nature • Fish

Arctic Char

Arctic char is a cold-water fish in the salmon family, Salmonidae, with the scientific name Salvelinus alpinus.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish in the salmon family, Salmonidae. It is native to Arctic and subarctic waters and high-elevation lakes across the Holarctic, and is widely noted as the most northerly freshwater fish species. Populations may be anadromous or landlocked, depending on local conditions.

Taxonomy and naming

Arctic char is scientifically named Salvelinus alpinus and is also spelled Arctic charr in some sources. It is a member of the family Salmonidae and is closely related to trout and salmon.

Distribution and habitat

The species is circumpolar, occurring in Arctic and subarctic waters of North America, Europe, and Asia. It inhabits lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal marine waters, including many Canadian northern waters.

Life history and ecology

Arctic char show variable life histories, with some populations staying in freshwater and others migrating to the sea and returning to spawn. Their cold-water adaptation and northern range make them important in Arctic freshwater and coastal food webs.

Use and management

Arctic char is harvested in some places and is also farmed commercially in parts of the world. Management and conservation concerns can include overharvesting, habitat change, climate change, pollution, and invasive species.

Key facts

Arctic char is the world's most northerly freshwater fish species.
It belongs to the genus Salvelinus within the salmon family Salmonidae.
It occurs in circumpolar Arctic and subarctic regions.
The species can live entirely in freshwater or be anadromous, migrating to sea and returning to spawn.
In some regions, Arctic char is harvested and farmed as a commercial food fish.

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Canadian context

Arctic char is especially relevant to Canada because it occurs widely in northern Canadian freshwater and coastal waters, including the territories and Atlantic regions, and is identified by Canadian sources as the country’s most northerly freshwater fish species.

Frequently asked questions

What is Arctic char?

Arctic char is a cold-water fish species in the salmon family, Salmonidae, scientifically named Salvelinus alpinus.

Where does Arctic char live?

It lives in Arctic and subarctic lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal waters across the Northern Hemisphere.

Is Arctic char a salmon?

No. It is not a salmon, but it is closely related because both belong to the family Salmonidae.

Is Arctic char found in Canada?

Yes. Canadian sources describe it as Canada’s most northerly freshwater fish species, and it occurs in northern mainland and Arctic island waters.

Can Arctic char live in the ocean?

Some populations are anadromous, meaning they spend part of their life at sea and return to freshwater to spawn.

References

Fisheries and Oceans Canada — https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/arctic-char-omble-chevalier-eng.html
Supports: Canadian common name, status as Canada’s most northerly freshwater fish species, and general identification.
Canadian Geographic — https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/animal-facts-arctic-char/
Supports: Scientific name, northern distribution, and occurrence across the Arctic Archipelago and Canada’s northern mainland.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_char
Supports: Scientific name, family Salmonidae, cold-water fish description, and statement that it is the world’s most northerly freshwater fish.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador — https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/wildlife/all-species/animals/inland-fish/arctic-char/
Supports: Canadian distribution, life history variation, habitat, and spawning description.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game — https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=arcticchar.main
Supports: Range, habitat, threats, size variation, and spawning information.