Predatory fish of the Krasnoyarsk Territory

Krasnoyarsk Krai, located in central Siberia, boasts an extensive hydrographic network, including rivers (Yenisei, Angara, Mana, Podkamennaya Tunguska), lakes (Taimyr, Zerkalnoye, Parnoye), and large reservoirs (Krasnoyarsk, Boguchanskoye). These waters are home to numerous fish species, including predatory fish that feed on other fish, invertebrates, and occasionally small mammals or birds. This article provides a complete list of predatory and semi-predatory fish in Krasnoyarsk Krai, including both the main and less common species, along with descriptions of their characteristics, habitats, diet, and catch patterns.

Predatory fish of the Krasnoyarsk Territory

Below are listed all known predatory and semi-predatory fish species inhabiting the waters of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, taking into account both widespread and less significant species.

Pike (Esox lucius)

• Description: A large predatory fish of the pike family, up to 1.5 m in length and weighing up to 35 kg. Its body is elongated, greenish-gray with light spots, and its jaws have sharp teeth.
• Habitat: Rivers (Yenisei, Angara, Mana), lakes (Zerkalnoye, Parnoye), reservoirs (Krasnoyarsk, Boguchanskoye). Prefers bays, thickets, and areas with slow currents.
• Diet: Feeds on fish (crucian carp, perch, roach), frogs, small rodents, and waterfowl chicks. An ambush predator, active in the evening.
• Characteristics: The best bite is in spring (April–May, before spawning) and fall (September–October). In winter, it is caught with live bait in bays. Susceptible to parasites such as diphyllobothriasis, which is dangerous to humans if eaten undercooked.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20 (spawning season) in rivers and reservoirs, and from May 20 to June 30 in the Khantai Reservoir. In the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir, pike under 40 cm must be released.

Perch (Perca fluviatilis)

• Description: A fish of the perch family, up to 50 cm in length and weighing up to 2 kg. Greenish-yellow coloration with black vertical stripes.
• Habitat: Rivers (Yenisei, Mana), lakes (Taimyr, Podsobki), reservoirs (Krasnoyarsk, Boguchanskoye). Prefers coastal areas with thickets and benthic invertebrates.
• Diet: Juveniles feed on zooplankton and invertebrates, adults feed on small fish (dace, roach).
• Characteristics: Active year-round, but the bite is weaker in winter, primarily in bays. Caught with spinning rods and silicone lures or live bait. Susceptible to diphyllobothriasis.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20 (spawning).

Burbot (Lota lota)

• Description: The only freshwater member of the cod family, up to 1 m in length and weighing up to 18 kg. The body is elongated, gray-brown with a marbled pattern.
• Habitat: Rivers (Yenisei, Angara, Podkamennaya Tunguska), lakes, reservoirs. Prefers deep holes and cold water.
• Diet: Feeds on fish (dace, gudgeon), crustaceans, and benthic invertebrates. Nocturnal predator.
• Characteristics: Best bite in winter (December–March) using live bait or a spoon. Popular for ice fishing. Susceptible to parasites, including diphyllobothriasis.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20.

Таймень (Hucho trout)

• Description: A large fish of the salmon family, up to 2 m in length and weighing up to 80 kg. The body is silvery with dark spots.
• Habitat: The Yenisei, Angara, and Mana rivers, and their tributaries (Sym and Podkamennaya Tunguska). Prefers fast currents and pebbly areas.
• Diet: Obligate predator, feeds on fish (grayling, dace), small rodents, chicks, and sometimes muskrats.
• Characteristics: Listed in the Red Data Book of Russia, fishing license required. Spawning occurs in late May – early June on gravel beds. Population is declining due to poaching.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from the ice breaking up until November 15 in the Yenisei from the mouth of the Syma to Podkamennaya Tunguska.

Ruff (Gymnocephalus cernua)

• Description: A small fish of the perch family, up to 20 cm in length. Coloration is gray-green with dark spots.
• Habitat: Rivers (Yenisei, Angara), lakes, reservoirs. Prefers muddy bottoms and coastal areas.
• Diet: Juveniles feed on zooplankton, adults feed on small invertebrates and young fish.
• Characteristics: Active at night, especially in summer. Caught with a rod or spinning rod. Susceptible to diphyllobothriasis.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20.

Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)

• Description: A fish of the salmon family, up to 50 cm in length. Silvery color with dark spots, high bright dorsal fin.
• Habitat: Rivers (Mana, Angara), lakes (Taimyr). Prefers fast currents and rocky bottoms.
• Diet: Insects, their larvae, crustaceans, young fish.
• Characteristics: Caught by wading at depths of up to 2 m, active in summer (midnight–5 am) and autumn (all day). In winter, it migrates downstream.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20.

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

• Description: A large fish of the sturgeon family, up to 2 m in length and weighing up to 200 kg. Its body is covered with bony plates and is gray-brown in color.
• Habitat: The Yenisei River and its tributaries, the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir. It prefers deep holes and winters in tributaries.
• Diet: Bottom invertebrates, small fish.
• Features: Listed in the Red Data Book of Russia. Population is declining due to poaching. Spawning occurs in May–June.

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

• Description: A smaller sturgeon, up to 1 m in length and weighing up to 16 kg. Gray-brown in color.
• Habitat: The Yenisei River and its tributaries, and less commonly, reservoirs. In winter, it stays in the tributaries.
• Diet: Bottom invertebrates, small fish.
• Peculiarities: Population is declining due to poaching. Spawning occurs in May–June on gravel beds.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20.

Lenok (Brachymystax lenok)

• Description: A salmon fish, up to 70 cm long and weighing up to 8 kg. The body is elongated, gray-green with dark spots.
• Habitat: Mana, Podkamennaya Tunguska, and Angara Rivers. Prefers fast currents and cold waters.
• Diet: Predator, feeds on insects, their larvae, small fish (dace, gudgeon).
• Characteristics: Listed in the Red Book of Krasnoyarsk Krai in some areas. Caught with spinning rods or flies, active in summer and fall.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20; a license is required in some waters.

Whitefish (Coregonus spp.)

• Description: A salmon fish, up to 60 cm in length and weighing up to 3 kg. Silvery coloration. Includes species such as Coregonus muksun (whitefish) and Coregonus tugun (whitefish).
• Habitat: Yenisei, Taimyr lakes, Krasnoyarsk reservoir.
• Diet: Partially a predator, it feeds on small fish and invertebrates, although the basis of its diet consists of plankton and benthic organisms.
• Characteristics: Muksun and tugun are prized fisheries, but their numbers are declining. They are caught with nets or rods.
• Restrictions: Ban on catching muksun from October 1 to November 30 in the Yenisei and its tributaries, as well as from April 20 to June 20 (spawning).

Peskar (Gobio gobio)

• Description: A small fish of the carp family, up to 15 cm in length. Coloration is gray-green with dark spots.
• Habitat: Yenisei and Angara rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Prefers muddy or sandy bottoms.
• Diet: Partially a predator, it feeds on invertebrates, insect larvae, and sometimes young fish.
• Features: Often used as bait for catching large predators (pike, burbot). Caught with a fishing rod.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20.

Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)

• Description: A fish of the perch family, up to 1 m in length and weighing up to 15 kg. The body is elongated, gray-green with dark stripes.
• Habitat: Yenisei and Angara rivers, Krasnoyarsk Reservoir. Prefers deep areas with sandy or pebble bottoms.
• Diet: Predator, feeds on small fish (dace, roach, perch).
• Characteristics: Less common than pike or perch, popular among fishermen. Caught with spinning rods and silicone lures or wobblers.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20. Pike perch less than 40 cm in size must be released in the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir.

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)

• Description: A salmon fish, up to 80 cm in length and weighing up to 5 kg. Coloration ranges from silver to greenish-red (during spawning season).
• Habitat: Northern lakes of the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Taimyr, Pyasino). Prefers cold waters.
• Diet: Predator, feeds on small fish, crustaceans, insects.
• Features: A rare species found in the Arctic region. Caught with spinning rods or flies. Listed in the Red Book in some areas.
• Restrictions: Fishing is prohibited from April 20 to June 20; a license is required in some waters.

Notes

• Exhaustiveness of the list: The listed species (pike, perch, burbot, taimen, ruff, grayling, Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, lenok, whitefish, gudgeon, pike perch, and Arctic char) encompass virtually all predatory and semi-predatory fish species in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Other predatory species, if present, are extremely rare or introduced in small numbers and play no significant role in the ecosystem or fisheries.
• Ecological status: Taimen, lenok, Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, and Arctic char are listed in the Red Data Book of Russia or the Krasnoyarsk Krai in some areas. Their catch is strictly regulated, often requiring a license.
• Fishing restrictions: Spawning bans apply to all species (usually from April 20 to June 20, with variations for reservoirs and individual species, such as muksun from October 1 to November 30, and taimen until November 15 in certain areas of the Yenisei River). Violations are subject to fines.
• Parasites: Pike, perch, burbot, ruff, and other species may be infected with diphyllobothriasis. Fish must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
• Fishing: Popular places for catching predators include the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir, the Mana, Angara, and Yenisei rivers, and lakes Taimyr and Zerkalnoye. Spinning rods, live bait, spoons, and flies (for grayling, lenok, and char) are used.

Conclusion

Krasnoyarsk Krai is a unique fishing region due to its diverse predatory fish population, including pike, perch, burbot, taimen, ruff, grayling, Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, lenok, whitefish, gudgeon, pike perch, and Arctic char. These species encompass both widespread and rare populations, many of which are of significant ecological and commercial importance. Conservation of the fish fauna requires strict adherence to fishing regulations, including spawning bans and licenses for rare species, to ensure the sustainability of the region's ecosystem for future generations.