DOLLY VARDEN

ENVIRONMENT YUKON

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DOLLY VARDEN
Salvelinus malma (Walbaum). A trout like body, slightly oblique mouth, forked tail fin and small scales typify the dolly varden. They are dark blue to olive-green on the back and sides covered with light coloured yellow spots on the dorsal surface and orange and pink spots on the sides fading to white or dusky underparts. The spots are usually smaller in diameter that the pupil of the eye. The non-migratory fish found in the Yukon Territory average 4 to 6 pounds and are smaller than the sea-run form. Adult fish are carnivorous, feeding mainly on other fish, aquatic insect larvae and gastropods. They are autumn spawners. Stella Lake (MP 108, Haines Road) contains landlocked dollies. They are also reported from the Blackstone River (MP 68, Dempster Hwy). These fish are easily confused with Bull trout which are now known to be a separate species.