Skip to content 
The name of this noble specimen speaks for itself. This salmonid got its name because Sevan trout (ikhshan) can only be found in Lake Sevan, an Armenian lake. Therefore, unfortunately, it's impossible to catch this predator in other bodies of water, including on trophy hunts in the Putorana Plateau.
Incidentally, the Sevan noblewoman has several varieties. Armenian cuisine features many delicacies made from this healthy red fish. These are served not only in upscale restaurants but also prepared at home. The delicious, juicy meat of trout, and especially its caviar, are always in high demand and popular.
What does it look like?
Sevan, a beautiful high-altitude lake located in the Armenia River, is familiar to many anglers. In the distant Soviet past, many residents of the country could see it and enjoy the beauty of the Caucasus Mountains and its crystal-clear waters.
Today, borders and geopolitics prevent many from seeing and catching Sevan trout in person, so most often only local fishermen can do so. The fish is very beautiful and has many distinctive features compared to its relatives. The Ikhshan looks like this:
The body structure of this species is similar to that of its Siberian cousin, the rainbow trout, which lives in Siberia. Only the Armenian trout exhibits such unusual coloring, striking in its vibrant tones.
· The variegated, attractive scales are decorated with stripes and spots of bright colors.
On average, local fishermen catch specimens up to 1 meter long and weighing up to 15 kilograms.
· Compared to its northern relatives, the ihshan is considered an ornamental fish.
Varieties of Armenian trout
The lake is home to four species of this noble predator, each with distinct differences. They are divided into winter, summer, gegharkuni, and bodzhak. Let's learn about their differences.
Winter
This species is the largest in size and weight. These predators weigh up to 20 kg and reach over 1 meter in length. Their bodies are covered with large specks, which change color in males during the spawning season, becoming a vibrant scarlet.
Females retain their steely, silvery coloration, regardless of time or season. Winter trout numbers have declined significantly these days. They spawn in the lake itself. As the lake dries up, they lose their breeding grounds and are now on the verge of extinction.
Summer (bakhtak)
The main difference from the previous predators is that summer ichshans reproduce only in summer. They are approximately half the size, reaching a length of just over half a meter. They gain around 2 kg in weight.
The bakhtak fish is darker in color and less distinctive. The speckles have irregular shapes and washed-out tones. The fish lack the familiar rim. To spawn, these predators migrate to the rivers flowing into Lake Sevan (Gedak-bulakh, Bekhtak-chay). Unfortunately, these noble specimens are disappearing today for the same reason (shallowing). The lake is drying up, blocking the trout's migration routes.
Gegharkunik
They are considered the most colorful and beautiful members of the family. Their bodies are covered in numerous vibrant stripes, and their speckles are colored amber and scarlet. Gegharkuni spawn only where rivers flow into the lake. To reproduce, they require a current, which helps the eggs develop quickly.
Bojack
The smallest representative of the genus, the bojack trout reaches no more than 30 cm in length. The advantage of this trout is that females can spawn anywhere in the lake. They don't use nests, but lay their eggs along the bottom at depth. Spawning begins in September and continues until November.
Instead of an epilogue
In summary, it can be concluded that after the collapse of the USSR, Sevan trout began to disappear in large numbers. Both winter and summer species are extremely rare today. It's possible that in the near future, with further declines in the water level in Sevan, only dwarf trout (bojak) will remain.
Local fishermen love to hunt these noble specimens, which also reduces their population. Ihshans are very beautiful, and most importantly, they are healthy and delicious. Therefore, their popularity remains constant throughout time and era.
