Arctic Grayling

Grays make you work, but it’s worth it

This beautiful, elusive sport fish is easily identified by its long, high, sail-like dorsal fin. For that reason you’ll often hear it called the "sailfish of the north." Preferring the cold, clear lakes and fast-moving streams of northern Saskatchewan, the Arctic grayling is a spectacular fighter, known to leap clear out of the water once hooked.

How to catch: Try dry fly-fishing with dark flies such as black gnats, dark cahill or brown hackle. Casting very small spinners or jigs also works well.

Average weight: usually under 1 kg (2 lb).

Record size: 1.96 kg (4.3 lb), Fond du Lac River, 1966.

Live release: 55 cm or 22 in, Grease River, Lake Athabasca, 2002.