Fishing in Russia hints

Russia – the land of everlasting extremes. This is the biggest country in the world, with the world’s biggest freshwater lake, and the coldest inhabitable place on the planet. And this is just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended). There are countless ways in which this vast country is unique, each more impressive than the last. It’s hardly a surprise, then, that fishing in Russia is nothing short of extraordinary.

Not only is Russia home to Lake Baikal and over two million rivers, it also boasts access to three oceans (the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic), 12 seas, and the Caspian Sea. It’s no surprise, then, that around 30 million Russians are keen anglers.

The offshore waters of Russia are reserved for commercial fishing. Therefore, the playgrounds of recreational anglers are remote rivers, huge lakes, and crystal-clear streams. And what a playground it is!

Top Catches in Russia

There are many reasons why fishing in Russia is so popular, and the wide array of species on offer is at the very top of the list. This is one of the few countries where you can target both Atlantic and Pacific Salmon – and that’s just for starters.

Some of the best Trout fisheries in the world are right here, not to mention Northern Pike galore, and other freshwater species in all shapes and sizes. Come here to battle exotic fish like Taimen Trout and stay for the intoxicating thrill of the Salmon bite.

But maybe you don’t know what to expect and where to start, and that’s ok. Here’s an overview of the most prized fish in Russia that both locals and tourists love to target.

Our Story Starts with Salmon

Salmon, in all its variety and glory, is one of the favorite catches in Russia, if not THE favorite. Go to the north of the country and you’ll come face-to-gills with the battle-ready Atlantic Salmon.

Want more variety? The Far East is your destination, where all five species of Pacific Salmon come to spawn in the summer.

Atlantic Salmon

If you’re going Salmon fishing in Russia, chances are, you’ll be going after Atlantic Salmon on the Kola Peninsula. You can find Salmon in the Northern Atlantic, as well as in the western Arctic Ocean. Both the White and the Barents Sea have a good population of this delicious fish. Salmon come to the pristine and remote rivers of the north in early spring (April–May), as soon as the ice has thawed. This is the prime time to hit the water!

There’s also a fall run in September, but the fish can be much more inconsistent then. In general, you can catch Atlantic Salmon anytime from April through mid-October, you just need to know where to go.

How big the fish are depends on the year and your luck, so the weight of your prey can be anywhere from 8–50 pounds. You’ll hear from local outfitters that each river has its own character and, to find fish, you have to know it.

The rule of thumb is that you should choose quality or quantity. You can either go after your next trophy or decide to catch a load of smaller fish, but you’ll rarely be able to do both on the same body of water.

It’s important to note that, in Russia, fishing for Atlantic Salmon usually means going off into the wild. And this is not an adventure you should take on alone.

If you want to explore the untamed parts of Murmansk, you’ll need a professional guide with you at all times. While the nature of Northern Russia is as beautiful as it can be, it is also unforgiving to the inexperienced. Luckily, there are plenty of outfitters on the Kola that organize multi-day expeditions with everything you need included in the price.