Where Does Dolly Varden Trout Live?

Dolly Varden Trout lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Dolly Varden Trout

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in shallow to moderate depths of rivers, streams, and lakes, but anadromous forms can inhabit coastal marine waters up to several hundred meters deep.

Environment

Cold, clear, well-oxygenated waters. Prefers gravel or cobble substrates for spawning. Found in mountain streams, rivers, and lakes, often associated with areas of cover such as undercut banks, large rocks, and woody debris. Anadromous forms utilize estuaries and nearshore marine environments.

Geographic range

Circum-Pacific distribution. In North America, from northern California north through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, and the Yukon Territory. In Asia, from the Bering Sea south to Japan and Korea.

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