The 23" fish was undoubtedly a bull trout/Dolly Varden because, bull trout
are known to be in Ingalls Creek. I'd like to remind everyone that bull
trout are a "threatened" species and must be carefully released in nearly
all state waters. Please take the time to inform other less experienced
anglers what these "char" look like before you fish in bull trout/Dolly
Varden waters. There is a picture of these fish in the state fishing
regulations.
Char do not have black spots like other pacific salmonids. Bull
trout/Dolly Varden also do not have dark markings on the dorsal fin, Brook
trout do. If its clear (the dorsal fin), its clear that it's a bull
trout. If its black (the dorsal) give it a whack! I recommend that
angers keep their daily limit of brook trout when fishing in rivers or
streams because these fish can out-compete and hybridize with the native
bull trout/Dolly Varden. However, if you are in doubt of correctly
identifying your catch- release it ASAP!
Anglers should also be aware of special regulations in bull trout waters.
For example, Ingalls Creek is closed from the mouth to the Wilderness
Boundary. Check your reg's before fishing unfamiliar waters! There have
been many changes to the special regulations in the last year.
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Scott D. Craig The members of this genus (Salvelinus)
Fisheries/Aquatic Biologist are by far the most active and handsome
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service of the trout, they live in the coldest,
Lacey, WA. cleanest and most secluded waters.
Check out the homepage No higher praise can be given to a
http://www.eskimo.com/~craigs Salmonid than to say, it is a charr.
(Jordan and Evermann 1896)
