Ancient Baikal, one of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes, is an exceptional naturalist’s destination. Home to an abundance of rare endemic species – including one known only by its scientific name of “cottoid Baikal oilfish” – this UNESCO-listed lake boasts abundant botanical beauty.
Listvyanka offers delicious smoked omul and shashlyk from its waterfront market and picturesque pebble beaches to relax on weekends with weekend Russians.
Types of fish
Lake Baikal offers an abundance of fish. Some are unique to Lake Baikal, while others live in its river systems; all provide anglers and naturalists with a rare treat – amazing underwater creatures waiting to be discovered here! With deep depths and high levels of dissolved oxygen present throughout its depths, Lake Baikal makes an ideal place for finding unique aquatic life forms.
An iconic species in Lake Baikal, the omul is an aquatic relative of salmon that is beloved among locals and visitors alike. Growing to be over 70 cm long, its delicacy is enjoyed in restaurants around the lake, while fishermen take great pleasure in targeting it for fishing expeditions. Furthermore, its existence provides nutrients necessary for other aquatic creatures in Lake Baikal to thrive as part of its ecosystem.
Baikal Lake is home to many fish besides omul, such as taimen and perch. Anglers frequently target perch due to its aggressive behavior and large size – it can be caught using trolling and spinning techniques for fishing purposes.
Anglers enjoy fishing for the taimen, although it can be challenging. This robust species grows to over 50 kilograms and lives in Lake Baikal’s large rivers and tributaries, feeding on mice, birds, and smaller animals. According to Buryatia law, it must first obtain a special permit to be caught.
Lake Baikal is home to various species of fish that are popularly caught, such as sturgeon, number, and pike. Sturgeon is a large species that can grow up to 1.8 meters long and 100 kilograms. Fishermen prize it as a target species due to its protective status; nonetheless, it remains relatively scarce due to being less accessible.
Seasons
Lake Baikal has long been considered Russia’s equivalent of the Galapagos with its abundance of bizarre and beautiful species—as much as 80 percent are unique to this ecosystem. Home to a bunch of fish species, including the prize-winning Baikal omul fish (widely considered Russia’s best tasting), Lake Whitefish, Grayling and Sculpin fish as well as lake Oilfish from the Sculpin family (golomyanka) can all be found there as well as Grayling from Lake Whitefish species.
Lake Baikal is home to numerous species of birds and over 320 varieties of plants, but unfortunately, its ecosystem has recently come under strain due to pollution and climate change – as evidenced by an increase in ice-free season over 137 years due to warmer temperatures leading to earlier ice onset.
Lake Baikal’s ice-free season varies each year, making knowing the best time for lake fishing on Baikal is essential. May and June are ideal – when spawns are plentiful and fish easy to catch; you might even see big taimen!
Baikal Lake is also an attractive winter fishing spot, drawing anglers to its waters who dare brave the bitter temperatures to spend a day on the ice and have the opportunity to catch some of its largest freshwater fish – such as Baikal’s flagship species: carp (Carassius carinatus).
While ice fishing, it’s essential that the appropriate equipment be used. You will require a rod, reel, and line applicable to the type of fish you’re targeting and a proper float suitable for the depth of water you are fishing in. Finally, lures or baits will attract and catch more fish depending on season and target fish species – the types available depend on where and what time of year.
Equipment
Fishing on Lake Baikal requires the following equipment. A fishing rod, reel, and line, along with baits or lures tailored explicitly to what fish species you are after, will suffice. Additional hooks and lines should also be brought along in case some are lost or broken during fishing trips; a vest and hat are also recommended to protect yourself against cold temperatures.
Lake Baikal, situated in Siberia, is an immense freshwater lake surrounded by mountains – specifically, the Baikal Mountains on its northern shore and Barguzin Range on its northeastern side – that are fed by rivers such as Selenga, Irkutsk Primorsky, and Turka rivers that drain its surface waters. As well as being an incredible natural phenomenon, Lake Baikal has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Scientists worldwide come to this lake to study its unique ecosystem and vast diversity of fish species – especially its unique population of cottoid fish- found nowhere else. Unfortunately, some, such as Omul, have come under threat due to illegal fishing activities and environmental degradation, with climate change also affecting melting rates faster than before.
Fishing at Lake Baikal can be a delightful and fulfilling experience, but it is essential to observe safety precautions. Wear warm clothing and bring enough food and water. Take this chance to appreciate Lake Baikal’s beautiful nature!
There are various places around Lake Baikal, from hostels with affordable lodgings to high-end resorts. When planning your visit during peak season, booking accommodations well in advance is advised. Furthermore, consider purchasing a recreational fishing permit to protect Lake Baikal’s ecosystem by fishing for personal purposes without interfering with its ecosystem.
Lake Baikal’s unique ecosystem and fish species attract many tourists; however, visitors must follow all fishing regulations and respect its ecosystem to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.
Safety
Lake Baikal, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoys special protections. However, pollution remains a significant threat; hundreds of rivers flow into it carrying industrial effluent. During the Soviet era, these pollutants often reached Lake Baikal’s southern shore and polluted its waters (Stewart 1991). Current industrial development is increasing industrial effluence levels significantly, and despite attempts at regulation, there remains significant pollution and contamination of much of Lake Baikal’s waters (Stewart 1991).
Pollution from paper and pulp factories isn’t the only problem plaguing Lake Victoria; other issues including inadequate waste-water treatment facilities for tourists visiting the region and improper management of municipal solid waste, need to be tackled more efficiently, while more stringent rules must also be enacted against illegal construction and logging on protected territories around it.
Russia does not control all threats to Lake Baikal. Mongolia wants to build hydroelectric dams on the Selenga River, which supplies half the water and threatens its biodiversity and flow rate. This would diminish Lake Baikal’s unique biodiversity.
At its core, finding solutions for Lake Baikal requires global cooperation. International communities should work to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change while national, regional, and local authorities seek ways to align their development projects with sustainability objectives. Accompanying those efforts should be concerted efforts to protect the lake’s remarkable flora and fauna to not to endanger visitors from around the globe who come for its beauty despite the pollution of its waters. Nonetheless, Lake Baikal continues to draw in millions each year. Lake Baikal’s breathtaking beauty, arguably more than any other natural feature on Earth, is one of the primary factors driving its rising popularity. A trip to Lake Baikal will leave an indelible mark on those who visit years later. While most visitors prefer the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and the sun is abundant, any season can be seen; make sure that appropriate clothing and equipment are brought along for its cold climate conditions.
