It is the dominant species of the Arctic coast, and for cent uries has been an important food resource of the Inuit. However, only since the late 1940s has it been caught commercially and shipped south to become a gourmet restaurant item in many large North American cities. Recent fisheries statistics indicate that, after the whitefish, it is the second most valuable catch in the Northwest Territories. The magnificent colouration, excellent quality of flesh, fighting spirit, and relative inaccessibility of this fish have combined to make it a highly desirable quarry for many affluent North American anglers. Unfortunately, increased fishing pressure added to resource development in the Arctic pose a threat to char populations.
Arctic char are streamlined fish and typically troutlike.
The sea-run fish are larger, commonly weighing 2.3 to 4.5 kg, while the lake dwellers range in weight from 0.2 to 2.3 kg. The largest Arctic char on record was caught in Tree River, N.W.T, in 1970 and weighed 12.2 kg. The colour of these fish is extremely variable. A distinguishing feature is a series of large, round spots, usually violet-pink, scattered on the sides. Breeding fish of both subgroups exhibit brilliant red colouration on the sides, underparts, and lower fins.