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The Yenisei is one of Russia's largest rivers, flowing through the Krasnoyarsk Krai and supporting a rich biodiversity of ichthyofauna. Near Krasnoyarsk, the river is a powerful current with a variety of conditions—from swift currents to deep holes and calm backwaters. This creates a favorable environment for a variety of fish species, attracting anglers from amateurs to professionals. In this article, we will examine the main fish species in the Yenisei near Krasnoyarsk, their characteristics, and fishing conditions.
The main species of fish in the Yenisei
The Yenisei River near Krasnoyarsk boasts a diverse fish fauna thanks to its location in the middle reaches, where the river combines mountainous and flat areas. Below are the key fish species found in this region.
1. Answer
- Description: Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is one of the most popular fish among anglers in Krasnoyarsk. It is distinguished by its characteristic large dorsal fin and silvery scales. Sizes in the Yenisei River range from 0.5 to 2 kg, although trophy specimens are rarer.
- Habitat: Prefers areas with fast currents, riffles and rocky bottoms, especially in the Divnogorsk area and further upstream.
- Fishing: Caught with spinning rods (light lures and wobblers) and fly fishing (flies that imitate insects). The best time is summer and early fall, especially in the evenings when grayling "melt" on the surface.
- Characteristics: Active during the warmer months, from June to September. In the Krasnoyarsk area, grayling often migrate from tributaries such as the Mana.
2. Taimen
- Description: Taimen (Hucho taimen) is the legendary "king of Siberian rivers," a large predatory fish reaching weights of up to 20–30 kg in the middle reaches of the Yenisei River. In the Krasnoyarsk region, specimens up to 10–15 kg are found.
- Habitat: Deep pits, rapids, and the mouths of tributaries (e.g., the Bazaikha and Mana rivers). Prefers cold, well-oxygenated water.
- Fishing: Taimen are caught using powerful spinning rods (30–50 g test weight), large wobblers, spinners, and night-fishing "mouse"-type lures. Catch-and-release is a popular technique, as taimen are protected.
- Fishing season: June–September, peaking in August. Due to the species' rarity in the Krasnoyarsk area, caution and compliance with fishing regulations are required.
3. Flax
- Description: Lenok (Brachymystax lenok) is a predatory fish of the salmon family, similar in appearance to grayling but larger (up to 4–6 kg). In the Yenisei River, individuals weighing 1–3 kg are found.
- Habitat: Areas with moderate currents, mouths of tributaries, shallow riffles.
- Fishing: Caught with spinning rods (light lures and wobblers) and fly fishing (flies). Good bites in July and August, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Features: Lenok is sensitive to water quality, so its numbers within the city limits are lower than upstream or downstream.
4. Pike
- Description: Pike (Esox lucius) is a common predator, reaching weights of up to 10–15 kg in the Yenisei River. In the Krasnoyarsk region, specimens weighing 2–7 kg are more common.
- Habitat: Quiet backwaters, oxbow lakes, bays and areas with aquatic vegetation, for example, in the area of the Otdykha or Tatyshev islands.
- Fishing: Spinning (spinners, wobblers, and silicone lures) and live bait are used. The best times are spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October).
- Features: Pike are active in warm water, but within the city limits their numbers may be lower due to pollution.
5. Perch
- Description: Perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a common fish, reaching weights of 1–2 kg. Both small and trophy-sized specimens are found in the Yenisei River.
- Habitat: Bays, shallow waters, areas with slow currents, especially in the area of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station and downstream.
- Fishing: Caught with spinning rods (microjig, small lures), float rods, and mormyshing. Active year-round, especially in summer and winter (ice fishing).
- Features: Perch is unpretentious, which makes it easy prey for novice anglers.
6. Sig
- Description: Whitefish (Coregonus) is represented by several species (whitefish, muksun, and broad whitefish), weighing up to 2–4 kg. It is a valuable commercial fish.
- Habitat: Deep parts of the river, especially below the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station, where the water is colder.
- Fishing: Caught with bottom tackle, less commonly with spinning. The best time is autumn, when the whitefish rise to spawn.
- Features: Whitefish fishing is limited due to spawning restrictions (from ice melting until November 15 in some areas).
7. Ide, roach, roach
- Description: These carp fish (Leuciscus idus, Leuciscus leuciscus, Rutilus rutilus) are found in the Yenisei in the Krasnoyarsk region, weighing up to 1–2 kg (ide up to 3 kg).
- Habitat: Quiet areas, bays, mouths of tributaries (for example, Bazaikha, Kacha).
- Fishing: They are caught with a float rod, feeder rod, and spinning rod (small lures). The best time is summer and early fall.
- Features: These species are unpretentious and suitable for amateur fishing.
8. Nalim
- Description: Burbot (Lota lota) is the only freshwater fish of the cod family, reaching 3–5 kg.
- Habitat: Deep holes and cold sections of the river, especially below the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station.
- Fishing: Caught with bottom tackle (live bait, pieces of fish) in the cold season (autumn-winter).
- Features: Burbot is active at low temperatures, which makes it popular for winter fishing.
9. Golden crucian carp
- Description: The crucian carp (Carassius auratus) is a peaceful fish of the carp family, reaching weights of 1–2 kg, rarely up to 3 kg. It is distinguished by its golden-reddish scales and high survival rate.
- Habitat: Quiet bays, oxbow lakes and areas with aquatic vegetation, especially in the area of islands and mouths of tributaries (for example, Kacha).
- Fishing: Caught with a float rod, feeder rig (bait: worms, dough, corn), and bottom tackle. The best time is summer, especially June–August.
- Features: The golden crucian carp is unpretentious, but is found less often in the Yenisei than in stagnant bodies of water due to the strong current.
10. Silver carp
- Description: The crucian carp (Carassius gibelio) is a close relative of the crucian carp, with silvery scales and weighing up to 1–1.5 kg. It is more resistant to pollution.
- Habitat: Bays, backwaters, shallow waters with slow currents, for example, in the area of the Otdykha and Tatyshev Islands.
- Fishing: Caught with a float rod and feeder with plant or animal bait. Active from May to September.
- Features: More common within the city limits, where the water is less clean than in the upper reaches.
11. Bream
- Description: Bream (Abramis brama) is a large carp fish, reaching weights of up to 3–5 kg in the Yenisei River. It is distinguished by its flat body and bronze scales.
- Habitat: Deep areas with slow currents, backwaters, bays, especially below the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station.
- Fishing: Caught with feeder and bottom tackle (bait: worms, maggots, peas). The best time is summer and early fall.
- Features: Bream is sensitive to water quality, so it is less common within the city than in the suburbs.
Fishing conditions in the Krasnoyarsk area
- Fishing spots:
- Within the city limits: Yenisei River embankments, Otdykha and Tatyshev Islands, and the Kommunalny Bridge area. Perch, ide, roach, crucian carp, and bream are most commonly caught here, but large catches are rare due to pollution and noise.
- Upstream: The Divnogorsk area, the mouth of the Mana River, and the vicinity of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station are ideal for grayling, lenok, and taimen.
- Downstream: Areas in the area of the villages of Ust-Mana and Ovsyanka, where whitefish, burbot and bream are found.
- Seasonality:
- Summer (June–August): Best time for grayling, lenok, pike, ide, crucian carp, and bream. Taimen is active in August.
- Autumn (September–October): Peak for whitefish, pike and bream, taimen goes into deep holes.
- Winter: Ice fishing for perch, burbot, whitefish and bream.
- Spring (April–May): Spawning restrictions (fishing ban from April 20 to June 20).
- Restrictions: Fishing regulations for the Yenisei River basin apply in the Krasnoyarsk region. Fishing bans apply during the spawning season (April 20 – June 20), as do restrictions on taimen and whitefish. For salmon and whitefish, the ban applies from ice breakup until November 15 in some areas.
Tips for anglers
- Tackle:
- For taimen: powerful spinning rods (test 30–50 g), large wobblers, spinners, mouse-type lures.
- For grayling and lenok: light spinning rods (test 5–15 g), fly fishing flies.
- For pike and perch: mid-range spinning rods, spinners, silicone baits.
- For whitefish, burbot, crucian carp and bream: bottom tackle, feeder, float rod (bait: worm, maggot, corn, peas).
- Equipment:
- Waders or swamp boots for fishing in riffles.
- Membrane clothing, as the weather in Krasnoyarsk is changeable.
- Polarized glasses for observing fish in clear water.
- Places: For trophy fishing, it is better to go outside the city (Divnogorsk, Ust-Mana), where there is less anthropogenic impact.
- Ethics: Observe the catch-and-release principle for taimen. Don't leave trash on the shore.
- Safety: Be aware of the Yenisei River's strong current and cold water, even in summer. Wear life jackets when swimming in rapids.
Conclusion
The Yenisei River near Krasnoyarsk is a unique body of water where you can catch trophy taimen, as well as more common grayling, lenok, pike, whitefish, crucian carp, and bream. The diverse fish fauna and picturesque landscapes make fishing in this region attractive for anglers of all skill levels. However, it's important to consider seasonal restrictions, environmental regulations, and the river's characteristics to ensure not only successful but also responsible fishing. If you want to catch big fish and enjoy the Siberian wilderness, the Yenisei River near Krasnoyarsk is an excellent choice!
