Valek is another noble relative of salmon.

Valek, also known as kozha, is considered one of the most delicious fish in the large, noble family of red fish. In Yakutia, locals call it sura, and they often try to catch it. The delicate flavor of the meat and its many beneficial properties provide a boost of energy. You'll enjoy not only the fishing but also its flavor. It's worth noting that during trophy fishing trips in Siberia, valek can be caught with a spinning rod, fly rod, and sometimes even a regular fishing rod.

What does the individual look like?

In its appearance, the valek resembles a whitefish, but has some differences.

· The individuals have a rounded, or as Russian-speaking people call it, valkovy, body.

· The head is relatively small, with a pointed snout.

· The mouth is small, located at the bottom of the head.

· The scales are small and thin, similar to those of whitefish.

· There is 1 fin on the back, two on the chest and 1 anal fin at the end of the body.

Adults have a pinkish tint, and their coloration is characterized by dark gray shades. The sides of the ridge are silvery, with yellowish iridescence in places. The belly of the fish is white.

When walruses spawn, their coloration takes on orange tones. Furthermore, during this period, the fish become rougher due to the growths that appear. Fishermen jokingly refer to this appearance as "mating plumage."

Large specimens can weigh up to 300-400 grams, with body length ranging from 30 to 42 cm. The largest fish caught in the Khantai Reservoir weighed 2 kg 200 grams, but catching such a seahorse today is unlikely.

Where does the walleye live?

A trophy fishing trip on the Yenisei River allows anglers to learn more about this species. The horsefish is found not only in the mighty Siberian river, but also in many bodies of water in Yakutia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Kolyma, Lena). These fish thrive in clean, cold, fresh water.

They inhabit bodies of water with sandy and pebble bottoms, which, incidentally, are quite common on the Putorana Plateau. Most often, walruses are caught in the upper layers of the water, where the fish spends most of their life.

It's worth noting that in some areas of the country, catching valok is prohibited by law, as it is listed in the Red Book. However, in areas where this noble fish is bred, anglers are allowed to catch it, even with nets.

The approach to catching the common walrus can be described as twofold. In some regions of the Russian Federation, this species is listed in the Red Book. At the same time, the fish is considered a commercial species, but its catch with nets is permitted only in reservoirs and water areas where it is farmed.