Dolly Varden, Salvelinus malma Walbaum, are found abundantly in all coastal waters of Alaska. Two basic forms of Dolly Varden occur in Alaska waters; the southern form of Dolly Varden ranges from lower Southeast Alaska to the tip of the Aleutian Chain, while the northern form is found on the North Slope drainages of the Aleutian Range northward along Alaska's coast to the Canada border. Anadromous and freshwater resident varieties of both forms exist with lake, river, and dwarf populations being found among the freshwater residents. Dolly Varden belongs to a group of fish called char. The light spots on their sides distinguish them from most trout and salmon, which are usually black, spotted or speckled.
Young Dolly Varden have about eight to ten wide, dark parr marks or oval blotches, which contrast with the mottled olive-brown color of their body. Those Dolly Varden, which run the sea, are silvery with an olive-green to brown color on the dorsal surface and numerous red to orange spots on their sides. The mature Dolly Varden male develops a brilliant red on the lower body surface and the lower fins develop a reddish-black with white along the leading edges. Mature females are similar but are less brightly colored. Males develop an extended lower jaw, which hooks upward, fitting into a groove, which is formed in the upper jaw. This hook also occurs in the females, but is considerably less developed. Most southern Dolly Varden reach maturity at five and six years of age. At this age they may be twelve to sixteen inches long and weigh one to one and a half pounds. Northern Dolly Varden reach maturity at five to nine years (after having spent three or four summers at sea), and may be sixteen to twenty four inches long. Male Dolly Varden suffer a much higher mortality rate after spawning, partly due to fighting and the subsequent damage they inflict on each other. Barely over fifty percent of the Dolly Varden live to spawn a second time. Northern Dolly Varden may live as long as sixteen years, but individuals over age ten are uncommon. Southern Dolly Varden reach a maximum size of fifteen to twenty-two inches in length and four pounds in weight.
The Dolly Varden is a stream-spawner, usually during the fall from mid-August to November. Depending on her size, the female may deposit six hundred to six thousand eggs (the northern breed lay much more) in depressions, or redds, which she constructs in the streambed gravel by digging with her tail fin. The male Dolly Varden doesn't participate in the building of the nest; he fights and sports with other males. When the female is ready to deposit her eggs, the male moves to her side and spawning begins. Eggs and sperm are released into the redd simultaneously. The eggs develop slowly in cold-water temperatures. The eggs hatch generally hatch four to five months after fertilization. After hatching, young Dolly Varden obtain food from their yolk sac and usually do not emerge from the gravel until this food source is consumed. Emergence usually occurs in April or May for the southern Dolly Varden and in June for their northern cousins. Young Dolly Varden rear in streams before beginning their first migration out to sea. Their growth is slow during this time, a fact that may be attributed to their low level of activity. Young Dolly Varden often prefer to remain on the bottom, under stones and logs, or in undercut areas along the stream bank, hidden from view. They generally feed from the bottom at this stage. By their third or fourth year, most Dolly Varden are ready to migrate; this migration usually occurs in May or June. The Dolly Varden, once at sea, begins an interesting pattern of migration.
Dolly Varden, after their first seaward migration, usually spend the rest of their lives migrating to and from fresh water. Southern form Dolly Varden pass the winter in lakes, while most northern Dolly Varden do so in rivers. Those Dolly Varden which were hatched and reared in a lake system carry on annual feeding migrations to sea, returning to a lake or river each year for the winter. Southern Dolly Varden, which do not originate from lake systems do seek a lake in which to winter. Research shows the Dolly Varden chooses these lakes at random.
The Dolly Varden is one of Alaska's most prized sport fish. The Dolly Varden is unique; it is the only member of the family Salmonidae that has readily adapted to the numerous small- to medium-size nonlake streams that enter Alaska's saltwater areas. The importance and popularity of the Varden rise in direct proportion to the rise in human population and fishing restrictions.
To fish successfully for the sea-going Dolly Varden, intricate knowledge of its migratory habits is mandatory. The best Dolly Varden catches may be found during the summer months, as the mature fish return to their home stream to spawn and feed in August and September, most coastal streams in Southeast Alaska and up through the Aleutian Chain. Fishing near spawning salmon, in deep holes, and at creek mouths on incoming tides produces fantastic results. Lake fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden can be good from late August through November. The fish begin entering lakes in late August and are in prime condition after their spring and summer growing season. Ice fishing in lakes during the winter can also provide excellent sport for those willing to brave the elements.
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