Other names: European lake char, Alpine char
The Salvelinus umbla, commonly known as the European lake char or Alpine char, is a cold-water fish native to deep, alpine lakes in Europe. This species is part of the char family, closely related to trout and salmon. Known for its adaptability to varying temperatures and environments, the European lake char is a prized species for anglers due to its elusive nature and the challenge it presents when fishing in deep, clear waters.
Other names
European lake char, Alpine char
Length
~30" (max 60)
Weight
~1" (max 3)
Water
Fresh
Depth
30-120 ft
Clams
Crayfish
Crickets
Crustaceans
Dressed Mepps Aglia
Insects
Leeches
Maggots
Minnows
Mussels-
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The European lake char thrives in the cold, oxygen-rich waters of deep alpine lakes
They prefer rocky or gravelly lake bottoms, often inhabiting depths where sunlight penetration is minimal
Their diet primarily consists of small fish, insects, and crustaceans, reflecting their opportunistic feeding behavio
During warmer seasons, they are often found in deeper, cooler waters, only moving to shallower regions when temperatures drop
Spawning typically occurs in late autumn when water temperatures are at their lowest
Males prepare spawning sites on rocky substrates, where females lay their eggs
Post-spawning, the fish retreat to deeper waters, with juveniles remaining in shallower zones until they mature
Throughout their life, European lake char demonstrate seasonal movements, generally staying in deeper waters during summer and ascending closer to the surface in colder months
