Maine’s fall foliage isn’t the only place to find spectacular colors this time of year.
Some of Maine’s rarest fish are now showing the brilliant orange-red colors they develop for their fall spawning season.
Arctic char — also known as blueback trout and Sunapee trout — are native to only two states: Maine and Alaska. Maine has 14 lakes and ponds where Arctic char populations remain, most of them in the northern and western highlands.
Several of those waters are state heritage fish waters, which are managed to protect native fish populations.
Arctic char spend much of the year with relatively subdued coloring. As they approach spawning, both males and females can develop brilliant orange-red coloring, with darker backs and brightly colored fins creating a striking contrast.
For anglers, that makes this an especially interesting time to pursue them, and the fish in these photos show just how dramatic the change can be.
Late September is a good time to pursue them. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says cooling surface waters can prompt Arctic char to move out of the deep water where they spend much of the summer, making them more accessible to anglers.
Registered Maine guide T.J. Hebert has been out several times this month targeting char.
The fishing hasn’t been easy.
“What a battle so far to get fish to the net and dealing with wind. These guys all fished extremely hard for long hours to only land a handful of char and a few brookies, few other hits and short fights before coming off.”
Hebert landed one particularly colorful char Aug. 20.
“Colors are starting to come in and will only get better from here,” he said.
Where to find Arctic char
For anyone hoping to catch one, the timing is important.
Most of Maine’s Arctic char waters close to fishing Sept. 30. They include Black Lake, Deboullie Lake, Gardner Lake and Pushineer Pond in Aroostook County; Long Pond in Township E; Green Lake in Hancock County; Rainbow Lake, Big Reed Pond, Wadleigh Pond and Wassataquoik Lake in Piscataquis County; and Enchanted Pond and Penobscot Lake in Somerset County.
Bald Mountain Pond in Somerset County is the exception. It remains open for open-water fishing through Nov. 30 under special regulations requiring artificial lures and the release of all trout, landlocked salmon and togue.
So if an Arctic char is on your fishing list, now is the time to get out there and try for one.