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The whitefish genus, a member of the salmoniformes order, comprises several dozen species and ecotypes. Their classification is so confusing that even experienced ichthyologists are not always able to accurately identify these fish. What species are found on the Putorana Plateau, and what is the whitefish fishing situation like there?
Whitefish of the Putorana Plateau.
The Putorana Plateau whitefish are represented by four species: the pyzhyan whitefish, the valek whitefish, the mokchegor whitefish, and the Yenisei river whitefish. The last two species are quite large but rare, and are rarely caught by recreational anglers, as is the valek whitefish, their smaller relative. The pyzhyan whitefish, however, is regularly caught by anglers lucky enough to fish in the Putorana region, and we'll cover this species in more detail.
Appearance.
The body is laterally compressed, elongated, covered with medium-sized silvery scales, the fins are dark gray, the head is small, the mouth is small and semi-inferior, and teeth are absent—that's how the whitefish can be briefly described. Based on its appearance, which also has white meat, it can easily be classified as a member of the carp family, and only the adipose fin unmistakably identifies it as a salmonid.
Spawning.
Like many other salmonids, whitefish begin to migrate upstream to rivers and their tributaries to spawn in late summer. The peak of the pre-spawning migration occurs in the second half of September, while spawning itself occurs in October-November. Whitefish populations living in isolated lakes spawn a few weeks later. These fish prefer shallow areas with pebble or sandy-pebble bottoms to lay their eggs. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of five or six years, by which time the fish typically weigh 300-500 grams. Individual whitefish do not spawn annually, spawning only once every two to three years.
Whitefish habitats.
Whitefish prefer cold, oxygen-rich water. They are found in both lakes and rivers, but avoid fast-flowing areas, preferring deeper, slower-moving waters with sandy and pebble bottoms. Ideally, these conditions are found near the mouth of a stream. Only juvenile whitefish inhabit shallow waters; larger specimens move to the coastal zone and spits in search of food, often at dusk and at night.
What does whitefish eat?
During the mass insect flight period, insects make up the lion's share of the whitefish's diet. The rest of the time, the whitefish's diet consists of small crustaceans and mollusks, insect larvae and worms, and may even eat algae. Like most other fish, whitefish will not pass up the opportunity to feast on eggs, and larger specimens will happily snack on unsuspecting fry.
How to catch whitefish with a spinning rod.
Knowledge of the fish's lifestyle, habits, and diet helps anglers plan their fishing trips (for whitefish and other fish). As mentioned above, the whitefish is far from being a taimen and isn't considered a large fish, and it has a relatively small mouth. Therefore, catching whitefish with a spinning rod requires small lures and appropriate tackle. An ultra-light (UL) spinning rod, with a casting weight of up to five to six grams, is precisely the tool that can provide maximum excitement and enjoyment when fishing for whitefish. This rod comes with a high-quality spinning reel, rated at 1000-2000 (according to Shimano classification). The reel's spool can be spooled with either braided line or monofilament, with fluorocarbon being preferred in the latter case. In addition to being less visible in water, fluorocarbon fishing line, compared to nylon lines, has increased abrasion resistance, which is important in northern mountain waters. The best lures for whitefish, as practice has shown, are spinners, non-shiny, often black, ranging in size from two zeros to one. Micro-spoon lures weighing up to five grams in the same color have also proven effective. The lure's retrieve is slow, often on the verge of losing its action. It happens that a pike attacks a whitefish lure, and in such a situation, the only option is to accept the loss, as using a metal leader when fishing for whitefish is unacceptable.
Other ways to catch whitefish.
Besides spinning, fly fishing for whitefish is also a fun option, especially during the insect outbreak. Lightweight single-handed rods and dry, dark-colored flies imitating the most common insects are popular. A surefire option is to hook a real horsefly.
On days when whitefish are reluctant to actively surface, fishing for them with a float rod is common. Artificial flies and natural baits such as bark beetle larvae, worms, eggs, and leeches can be used as bait.
When fishing for whitefish, no matter the method, grayling is inevitable, as it's the more numerous and ubiquitous species. This only adds to the thrill and excitement!
Whitefish during rafting on the Putorana Plateau.
The Sukhaya Tunguska, Anadyakan, Yerachimo, Muisma, Nimde, Kochumdek, Tutonchana, Severnaya, and the Epekli Lake system are rivers and lakes with their own unique characters. These bodies of water, filled with their own unique energy and pristine northern nature, are both different and similar in many ways. They are similar, first and foremost, in the abundance of fish found in their waters. Each of these rafting routes in the northern Krasnoyarsk Krai boasts areas teeming with whitefish. Naturally, the guides accompanying travelers are well-versed in these areas and will share their knowledge with the rafting participants.
