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The unique "lost world" of the Putorana Plateau conceals countless treasures—its untouched nature is abundant and generous. It's a land of unafraid animals and birds, crystal-clear water and pristine forests, picturesque shrub thickets and vast meadows brimming with berries and mushrooms. This world is as it should be—and as, for most, it has always been and will always be inaccessible. A ringing silence and absolute purity!
Absolute purity is the law for every drop of water on the Putorana Plateau. Russia's second-largest freshwater reserves (after Lake Baikal) harbor an incredible abundance of fish. The cold (glaciers!) crystal water of the long, deep lakes holds many secrets. But it's not the lakes that attract fishermen to the Putorana Plateau. Like a magnet, the Putorana attracts with legends of incredible fishing! Those rare and fortunate fishermen who have managed to fish the countless rivers of the Putorana Plateau (there are over 20,000 lakes, and even more rivers!) remember the incredible bites and the thrill of catching the fish—whether pike, grayling, or whitefish.
The Putorana Plateau's ichthyofauna is diverse and is represented by 40 species of fish. Fishermen will be interested in char, lenok (in local rivers, it can weigh up to 4 kg), Siberian whitefish (several species), Siberian vendace, broad whitefish, tugun , muksun, burbot, pike, and several species of grayling.
Who gets caught most often?
There are four species of whitefish in the Putorana Plateau rivers, two of which are endemic (found only in this region). Rarely encountered are the Valka whitefish (up to 60 cm and up to 3 kg) and the Mokchegor whitefish (up to 12 kg), while the Yenisei river whitefish (up to 70 cm and up to 7 kg, typically 3-4 kg) is more common. The most common whitefish is the Pyzhyan whitefish, found in all bodies of water on the plateau, including lakes. The Pyzhyan whitefish typically weighs 1.5-2 kg, but its modest size is more than compensated for by its culinary qualities. Delicious!
Grayling on the Putorana Plateau is represented by two subspecies (West Siberian grayling and East Siberian grayling). This fisherman's favorite is easily caught on almost any bait, and can be quite large, reaching up to half a meter in length and weighing up to one and a half kilograms!
Lenok is another beautiful and tasty member of the salmon family. In the Putorana River, it reaches 60 cm in length and weighs up to 5 kg. Its distinctive "leopard-spot" coloration and exceptional flavor make it a favorite catch for fishermen. Incidentally, lenok abounds in the Musima River on the Putorana Plateau.
The Putorana Plateau pike is especially large and voracious. It's fairly easy to catch and often caught. According to reviews, Putorana pike is much tastier than its more readily available counterparts found in "regular" waters.
Taimen hold a special place in the Putorana Plateau's ichthyofauna. This large predatory fish is every fisherman's dream. This river giant and renowned fighter is abundant in the Putorana River, but catching one isn't easy! Taimen fishing requires knowledge and skill, as well as specialized gear, and is therefore considered a special kind of angling art. While catching a trophy fish on the first cast isn't always possible (although such cases have been known—our fishermen are often lucky), young taimen are often caught.
Read more about the Taimen on our website in the article "Taimen: Taming the Shrew."
The char is a fish in the salmon family, closely related to trout and char. It is easily recognized by its striking appearance: a dark green or bluish back, silvery sides with pink or orange spots, and during spawning, the belly turns bright red—hence the name "red fish." Size varies by location: in the lakes of the Putorana Plateau, it grows to 2–4 kg, but giants up to 10 kg are occasionally encountered. The Boganid char ( Salvelinus boganidae ), found in Lake Sobachye, is a unique subspecies with fatty, tender meat.
The char is a predator, and its temperament is as harsh as Siberian winters. It's fast, cunning, and catching it is like winning a duel.
