Vendace is a noble and valuable fish of the North

This species inhabits various cold bodies of water, and if you take a tour of the Yenisei River, you have the opportunity to catch not only huge "river alligators" but also this amazing fish. It's worth noting that the vendace was once considered a "royal" fish! Catching it without permission could result in severe punishment for the fisherman who dared to do so, as vendace were under the supervision of Tsar Alexei I. Incidentally, many anglers still refer to these fish as "royal herring."

A type of vendace

These days, this fish is caught on various tours, not only on the Putorana Plateau but also in other northern rivers of the country. Therefore, this fish has several varieties, which look and are named as follows:

• The White Sea vendace inhabits the rivers and lakes flowing into the White Sea. It is considered the smallest of the vendace species. Its length does not exceed 25 cm, and its weight rarely reaches 100-150 grams. Typically, the average size of the fish is 15-20 cm and it weighs significantly less, around 50 grams. The White Sea vendace has a long, narrow body, reminiscent of a herring with a slightly protruding belly. The fish's mouth is slightly upturned due to the upper jaw being shorter than the lower, and its small head is occupied by small eyes.
• Siberian vendace is the variety found in the waters of the Putorana Plateau. It is significantly larger than the previous variety. It can weigh up to 300 grams and reach a body length of 35 cm. With its fairly long body covered in cycloidal scales, this fish is considered valuable. Therefore, it is used to prepare a variety of delicious delicacies.
• European trout– Almost identical in size to the Siberian trout. It grows up to 30 cm and weighs up to 300 g. In terms of color, it is more similar to the White Sea trout, but this species is found in the waters of the Baltic Sea.
• The Pereslavskaya vendace is more similar to the European vendace in size and shape. It can only be caught in one body of water, called Pleshcheyevo, located in the southwest of the Yaroslavl region. Its growth and size are almost identical to those of the Siberian and European vendace. Due to the declining population of the Pereslavskaya vendace, it has been listed in the Red Book, and catching it in large numbers is prohibited. Therefore, many experienced anglers practice catch-and-release fishing to prevent these fish from becoming extinct.

These are the varieties of the royal herring – vendace.

How to catch a fish?

Vendace are caught using a variety of methods and tackle, from float rods to casting rods and bottom fishing rods. Worms and larvae are recommended as bait, and the fish also respond well to small pieces of fish meat, crayfish, and shellfish.

When ice fishing, vendace attack jigs. The advantage is that once you catch one, you can catch a whole school. However, experienced anglers recommend bringing a tent for winter fishing. This valuable, royal fish loves the deep, and catching it requires long periods of time in the open water, exposed to frost, snow, and wind.