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Members of the sturgeon family constantly compete with the noble salmonids. Both species can easily be considered royal. However, the beluga surpasses all freshwater species in many ways, being the largest. It's a shame it's not found on fishing trips to the Putorana Plateau. Belugas have a limited habitat.
The country boasts 1,000 lakes and waterfalls, and other species are found there, such as on Yenisei River tours, where you can catch the second-largest family of sturgeon, the Siberian sturgeon. The cold waters also harbor the king of Siberian waters, the river tiger taimen, which you can try to catch, and upon catching it, receive a memorable prize and a wealth of unforgettable experiences.
A little history about belugas
The king of fish appeared in the world's waters quite a long time ago. Scientists believe that sturgeon species, such as the beluga, sterlet, Russian sturgeon, and others, have lived on Earth for over 80 million years, and their ancestors have inhabited rivers, lakes, and seas for approximately 200 million years.
The largest sturgeon ever caught was in the 19th century. A beluga caught in 1827 weighed one and a half tons. A little later, almost 100 years later, in 1922, another specimen weighed 1,224 kilograms.
In the past, these kingfish could reach 4 meters in length and weigh on average around 1 ton. Nowadays, such enormous beluga sturgeons are no longer encountered. The largest specimens reach around 2 meters in length, and their average weight ranges from 50 to 90 kg.
What does the fish look like and what are its features?
While males of salmon species often differ from females, this is not the case with beluga whales. Beluga whales are similar in almost every way, and both sexes look like this:
- Like other relatives of the sturgeon, beluga sturgeons have distinctive spine structures. Prominent cone-shaped bony structures along the back, sides, and belly are the distinctive features of the sturgeon species.
- The back, on which the spines are located, is dark gray in color, and the belly is white.
- The fish have a short snout with a fairly large, toothless mouth. On either side of it are barbels that hang down.
- The elongated, spindle-shaped body ends at the head with a blunt nose.
- The dorsal fin is shifted towards the tail, and the anal fin is several times shorter.
- The body of the individuals is covered with small scales.
It's worth noting that beluga sturgeons can mate with their relatives, such as sturgeon, barbel sturgeon, and sterlet, and their eggs produce healthy hybrids, including the bester. Commercial fishing for beluga sturgeons is currently strictly prohibited in Russia and worldwide. The only exception is fishing in private waters used for breeding royals.
This species is considered long-lived. Beluga sturgeon can live for approximately 100 years, but today, various facilities are significantly reducing both the population and the lifespan. This fish is considered a royal fish due to the excellent flavor of its meat and the expensive black caviar. It was previously served at the table of monarchs or when visiting noble guests.
Summing up
Beluga sturgeons are now listed in the Red Book of Endangered Species, and catching them carries serious penalties. These can include not only large fines but also imprisonment. Therefore, to avoid breaking the law, many fishermen take trophy fishing trips.
Fishing on the Putorana Plateau can yield a variety of trophies, including sturgeon. However, when catching sturgeon or taimen, it's important to follow the rules of the sport: catch, release, and weigh in after photos.
This type of vacation is unforgettable and brings a wealth of rewarding experiences. Most importantly, fishing or hunting in the taiga wilderness has beneficial health benefits.
