New Hampshire Sunapee Trout Signs Update...
Lake Sunapee, formerly the home of rare Arctic charr known as Sunapee trout…
“The Sunapee Lake strain of the Sunapee trout was discovered in 1977 when Kent Ball, of Idaho Fish and Game, discovered a char species living with brook trout in a mountain lake in Idaho. Analysis by Robert Benhke, Eric Wagner, and Steve Culver proved the species to be a presumably introduced population of Sunapee trout. Later research found reports of a trout egg trade between the Idaho and the New Hampshire Fish and Game departments. They are reportedly found in two Idaho bodies of water, Alice and Sawtooth Lakes...”
In late 2025, New Hampshire NFC initiated a project to post informational signs on Lake Sunapee denoting the historical presence, and loss, of rare Arctic charr known at the time as Sunapee Trout. While the signs were finalized, approved, and printed shortly after, winter weather delayed the actual posting.
NH NFC chair Aliess John recently took a ride up to Lake Sunapee to check on the signs. All four signs have been posted, greatly increasing the visibility of these rare wild native fish and their former presence in New Hampshire.
Amazingly, while long believed to be extinct, the Lake Sunapee strain of Arctic charr are currently extant in two lakes in Idaho. Unfortunately, New Hampshire Fish and Game has shown no interest in regard to attempting to restore the namesake population.
