Fishing on Lake Peipsi in winter

Lake Peipsi is famous not only for its legendary historical events. Thanks to the rich fish stock, this reservoir has become a favorite place for fishermen. The proximity of pristine nature charges with strength and energy, and the diversity and richness of the animal world is amazing.

And in these places, seemingly almost untouched by civilization, a number of tourist centers, excellently equipped and oriented towards fishing, surprise and delight.

Recreation and fishing on Lake Peipsi

Peipus, a huge freshwater lake separating Russia and Estonia, has been part of one of the most visited tourist complexes for many years. From the east, Lake Peipus washes the hilly shores of Russia, and from the northwest – the marshy Baltic lands. More than twenty islands are located on this lake.

The length of the lake is almost one hundred meters, and the depth reaches fifty kilometers. Many rivers flow into it, but only one of them carries its waters out of the lake. This river is Narva. The natural conditions in the vicinity of the lake are unique.

The combination of deciduous and coniferous forests with coastal dunes, an abundance of rare plants along with reeds and ordinary reeds - all this creates a unique landscape landscape. The area of ​​Lake Peipsi has become a permanent nesting site for various species of birds: herons, goldeneyes, coots, and so on.

But the main attraction of these places was, perhaps, the diversity of lake fauna. This lake is home to several dozen species of freshwater fauna.

Among them are the following representatives of commercial fish:

1. Zander. Here are the best places for winter fishing for pike perch. At this time, he is especially calm and almost does not show his predatory habits. The winter diet of the Chud pike perch consists of chased fish, bloodworms and other invertebrate animals. He also does not refuse the ruff and small squints. In winter, pike perch is characterized by inactivity and attachment to the same place. Although, according to local residents, sometimes minor migrations are observed following flocks of smelt. Contrary to popular belief that these fish prefer to hunt alone, in Lake Peipsi they usually occupy the same niche.
2. Bream. One of the fisherman's most desired prey prefers greater depth and distance from the shore, avoiding rocky surfaces. Today, stocks of Chud bream are in good condition. In this area, individuals are found to be quite large - up to five kilograms and above.
3. Whitefish. Lake Peipus is home to a lake-river species of this fish. Whitefish spawn in shallow waters, but can also swim into neighboring rivers. Its weight can be more than a kilogram. But specialized fishing for whitefish is prohibited, and only when it is included in a set with other fish does it go on sale and can be used in industry. However, some experienced fishermen manage to catch this fish using ice fishing. So there is still a chance to try whitefish.
4. Smelt. Half a century ago, this fish did not even exist in Lake Peipsi. It is worth saying that its abundance is periodic and depends mainly on weather conditions. Weather conditions can also affect the size of the smelt. Strong winds and storms drive it into nearby lakes, and rains have a beneficial effect on the germination of juveniles.
5. Roach. This fish is present in Lake Peipus in great abundance. There are individuals weighing up to 500 g. It is better to use a worm or maggot as bait. In some cases, bloodworms will do.
6. Crucian carp. This fish prefers places densely covered with aquatic vegetation. In calm, calm weather, the Peipsi backwaters are rich in crucian carp. However, experts say that this fish is resourceful and cunning. Perhaps that is why its population does not decrease despite the annual influx of fishing tourists.
7. Bleak. This fish is irresistible under the rays of the summer sun. Her scales shimmer and shine. As a rule, bleaks gather in schools. Agility differs. You can even see this fish near the shallow shore of the Peipus.

Lake Peipus is also home to perch, vendace, ruffe, pike perch and other types of commercial fish. The most promising time for fishing is considered to be the beginning of summer. At this time, pike, perch, roach, and pike perch become trophies for fishermen.

As for how to get there, it’s easier to do it by focusing on the capitals. When getting from St. Petersburg, for example, it is better to use the city of Gdov as a reference point. A bus departs from the bus station to Lake Peipsi along the route. You can also get to these places by rail. Trains depart from Baltiysky Station regularly. The trip will take five hours. By car the travel time will be about three hours. By bus - almost twice as much.

From Moscow, the most convenient way to the lake lies through Pskov. This city is located one hundred and twenty kilometers from Gdov. Trains run daily, at night. Then any point in the Lake Peipsi region can be reached by taxi.

Features of fishing on Lake Peipsi

You can catch a good catch both in winter and summer. It all depends on the skill of the fisherman and a well-chosen place. To significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome, you should take the advice of more experienced or local hunters, because they know both the fishing spots and the most suitable bait much better.

Please note that fishing is slightly different at different times of the year, so it is worth considering some nuances when going hunting in summer or winter.

In summer

On hot days, the Talab Islands become the favorite place for fishermen. They have been a fishing center since the early 90s, thanks to their favorable location and abundance of fish. Depending on the time of year, please note:

1. 
   In summer, hunting is a special pleasure, because the water is clear and you can watch the fishing process or a flock swimming by. There is a bite always and everywhere, even if you cast almost close to the shore at a depth of up to a meter.

2. The best and catchiest time is considered to be the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Prey is constantly caught, regardless of the gear used or the type of bait.

The most active in summer are:

• perch, the seagulls will not point to it;
• pike, to hunt for the predator it is better to use a boat and swim to the reed thickets.

To be sure to bring home the prey, you should take different types of bait with you. You can fish from the shore, this will bring no less catch, but on a boat it is much easier to approach a good place where the bite will be much more effective.

It is necessary to take into account weather conditions, because if the wind and waves rise, it is better to leave the boat on the shore. On Lake Peipsi you can not only do what you love to your heart’s content, but also simply relax in nature. To do this, there are about thirty islands on the reservoir, where you can calmly fry your catch and enjoy the magnificent nature.

in winter

Many people love winter fishing, and for good reason, because even in warm weather the ice is thick and you can go out without fear. The main problem that gives fishermen a lot of problems is increased fog. You can easily get lost, so it is better to take a compass or GPS navigator with you.

There are a huge number of fishing methods:

1. Some fishermen prefer to drill many holes no further than 4-5 km from the shore.
2. A good guide to fishing spots are hummocks that form where there is a difference in bottom depth.

Please note that

• if during fishing you come across at least one roach, then it’s worth stopping at this place;
• when only the ruffe bites, then it’s worth changing the place, since you won’t catch normal prey.

Changes in biting activity should not be scary; the fish is constantly moving, changing places, so over time it will start biting again.

At the beginning of winter, if the weather is clear and sunny, then you can go out hunting for perch. For roach it is better to wait for a little frost and snowfall. You need to look for it almost at the very shore at a depth of up to 2 m. The best baits are considered:

• worm;
• bloodworm;
• large jigs;
• maggot.

In winter, not a single fisherman will be left without a catch; if there is no bite for a long time, then it is worth changing the place. It is better to fish several holes at the same time and try not to move too far from the shore.

Base "Prichudye"

This base is located on the picturesque banks of Narva. Small cottages for four people are available for rent. The cost of living per day is from three thousand. If necessary, additional places can be arranged in the house for accommodation. Maximum capacity is seven people.

Children under seven years old stay free of charge. There is also a hotel complex on the territory of the base. Renting a room will cost one and a half to three thousand, depending on the level (standard or luxury). The cost of renting both a cottage and a hotel room is affected by the day of stay: on weekends the price is slightly higher. Until December 29, guests of the Prichudye base can take advantage of a reduced price system.

As for fishing, among lovers of this type of active recreation, there is a wide range of services:

1. Rent of rowing and motor boats.
2. Departure with an instructor.
3. Rental of fishing rods and spinning rods.
4. Smokehouse.

Those who are not guests of “Prichudye” can fish on the territory of the base by paying for entry to the border zone and descent to the river from the pier. If necessary, you can use car and boat security services. All this together will cost up to a thousand rubles.

In the vicinity of the base there are up to 35 species of fish. Among them are ruffe, perch, pike perch, bream, whitefish, vendace, and pike. Experienced fishermen sometimes come across very rare specimens. Guests of the tourist base eat at a local restaurant. In-room dining is prohibited. It is worth saying that good conditions have been created here for a family holiday. Guests can enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, a children's playground and a sauna.

Car parking on site is free. The base is located two hundred and fifteen kilometers from St. Petersburg, near the village of Skamya. You can get there by car in the Tallinn region, through the cities of Kingisepp and Slantsy. In the town of Slantsy, driving along the main road across the Plyussa River, turn right at the intersection.

The distance from this city to the base is 31 km. Then follow the signs. You can get to Slantsy from St. Petersburg by train with a change in Gdov. Then by taxi or bus on route No. 107.

Booking phone numbers:

1. Reservation phone: 924-76-73, 923-76-78.
2. Website address https://narova.spb.ru/.

No bite for a minute - this is an emergency

We fished without straightening up, the bites followed without pause: as soon as the bait touched the bottom, a confident bite immediately followed. If there was no bite for a minute, this is already an emergency. Both my friend and I threw a lot of roach onto the ice. And the size is great. You pull a silver fish from a nine-meter depth, and the line creaks from good weight, stretches, and sometimes slips through your fingers - that’s where the angler’s joy lies.

It was interesting to watch the hole. From at least three meters you could see the rising fish, its jerks, bends, attempts to avoid falling into the column of light and get away right at the hole. Beautiful. Often the line was extremely tense, and this made me even more happy; it seemed that at the other end of it someone very serious had been hooked - a bream or a large perch, but every time it turned out to be a “doublet” - two large silver beauties on two hooks at once. I fished out two rafts about fifteen times. When, during a short lunch break, I told my partner about this, he was not at all surprised: “I got two bites every fourth today.”

By the way, about lunch. The fish didn't let me take a break. I had to forcefully move the fishing rods to the side, otherwise I might die of hunger. The back did not immediately straighten. We fed the fish and had a snack ourselves. We took pictures - our delight was indescribable. There has never been such fishing here in Vetvenik for roach before. About fifteen years ago there was something similar on Teploe Lake. And it was better only once on Zhelche, but that was during the first spring water. And today there are miracles, and that’s all!

After having a snack, we went to our respective holes. After lunch it continued, and no worse than before lunch. And he pecks, pecks, pecks. The roach had an excellent appetite all day, with only rare pauses between bites of five to ten minutes, three or four times. That's all. The rest of the time - lower, raise. Both I and my friend had, without exaggeration, mountains of “silver” in front of the holes. In my catch there were roaches of 300 g - about ten of them, 250 g - a lot, 200 g - the majority, small ones - no more than a dozen. And only two ruffs and one perch, and two more whitebrines were caught, one of them weighing at least 300 grams.

My friend's catch turned out to be even more significant. And surprisingly, the weather changed all day: in the morning there was quite a strong wind, then with the rise of the sun the wind died down, by lunchtime the sun disappeared behind the clouds, the wind appeared again, but in a strictly western direction (in the morning - north-west), by the evening the sun was again. And it was freezing in the morning.

Both of my bottom fishing rods are out of action. On one of them, after four hours of continuous work, the leash came off. I never waste time on tying or repairing, but instead take out the next rod that is ready. And when, another hour later, the second one had a problem (one of the hooks in the mouth of the raft broke off when unhooking), I decided: isn’t it time for us to finish? The comrade, it seemed to me, happily agreed. The time was 15:30.

Peipus roach. There were also some very good specimens. Photo by the author.

Base "Friend"

Entry to this base is limited as it is located in the border zone. You can swim to the permitted zone in ten minutes. A motor boat can be rented for 350 rubles per hour. On the territory there is a guest house with three isolated blocks and separate houses. The guest house can be rented either in its entirety or in one of the blocks.

Accommodation options also include camping. The cost of a tent per person is 250 rubles. A real Russian bathhouse and a gentle Finnish sauna. Every holidaymaker will find something to their liking here. For summer holidays, there is a beach on the territory of the base. There is also a barbecue. Near the base there is the Sorokovy Bor natural area.

Location: village of Zalakhtovye, Gdov district. The shallow waters on the beach, natural conditions and comfortable rooms make this holiday ideal for families with small children.

The cost of parking (dacha on trailers) will be 750 rubles, but this amount also includes a toilet, shower, barbecue and firewood.

From St. Petersburg you can get to the base along the Tallinn highway. Muscovites should drive to Pskov, and then 86 kilometers along the lakes.

Booking phone numbers:

1. +7-931-900-03-63.
2. +7-931-904-75-67.

The cost of a place in a guest house is 500 rubles per day. A separate house can be rented for 3,000 rubles. Each has two wooden beds in two tiers. You can put one more additional one.

The area permitted for fishing is nearby. It can be reached by motor boat in just five minutes. Rowing and motor boats are available for rent to fishermen. Perch bites wonderfully in these places.

Website address: https://chudskoe-ozero.ru/.

Tourist base "Chudskoye Compound"

The entertainment cottage complex is aimed at corporate recreation. Vacationers can enjoy the beach, barbecue, water sports, and snowmobiling. Pike perch, bream and pike are found here. You can get to Chudskoe Podvorye by public transport.

A bus leaves daily from the bus station in St. Petersburg. From the capital it is better to take a night train to Pskov, where, by prior arrangement, the staff of the tourist center can meet you and deliver you in comfortable conditions to Lake Peipsi.

The cost of a hotel room per night ranges from 1200 to 6500 rubles. You can get to the fishing spot either on your own or by snowmobile. Cross-country skis and skates are available for rental. Entertainment options include badminton, tennis, catamaran. Instructor services are provided, so guests of the complex can visit the best places for fishing. Price is negotiable.

In well-equipped conditions, fishing tours are conducted for four hours, with a cost of 250 rubles per person.

This cottage community is located in the Gdovsky district, at the entrance to the village of Spitsino. Or rather, from Gdov thirty kilometers to the south and from Pskov ninety kilometers to the north. The road to the village leads along a good highway and can be reached by car in just three hours. Address: Spitsino village, Gdov district.

Booking phone numbers:

1. +7(812)313-99-82.
2. +7.

You can book a hotel room or cottage on the website: https://chudskoe.ru/.

Recreation center "Far Away Kingdom"

There is another recreation center on the shore of Lake Peipsi, where, thanks to the picturesque pine forest, sandy beaches and the spirit of Alexander Nevsky, who is present everywhere here, an extraordinary fairy-tale atmosphere reigns. A double guest house can be rented for two and a half thousand rubles. The maximum cost of renting a cottage is 20 thousand rubles.

There is also a more budget option - a small hotel, where a double room per night costs two thousand. The restaurant's interior is designed in the style of the Russian Middle Ages and includes a conference room for 80 people.

There is a yacht club on site. The variety of fish found in these places and comfortable conditions create attractive conditions for fishing enthusiasts. They bite bream, burbot, whitefish perch, roach, pike, pike perch. Distance from St. Petersburg – 240 km. From Pskov – 80 km. The recreation center is located in the village of Zalakhtove.

Booking phone:

1. +7(812)6-456-999.
2. Website address: https://www.baza999.ru.

Fishing farm "Chistye Prudy"

The recreation center is located in the village of Verkholyane-2. There are paid ponds on the territory. The cost of catching fish is 700 rubles. Fishing holidaymakers also have access to rental equipment and fishing rods. Rent of a double room is 1200 rubles on weekdays. Guests have the opportunity to take a steam bath in a Russian bathhouse and cook barbecue in the open air.

A smokehouse is also available. And fishing lovers can not only enjoy their favorite pastime, but also smoke carp, pike and silver carp for dinner. These fish live in local ponds in sufficient quantities. There is also a forest nearby, where during the season a large number of mushrooms and wild berries will help you spend time not only with pleasure, but also with benefit.

This fishery includes about two hundred reservoirs, which are home to carp, silver carp, tench, pike and crucian carp. Recently, some types of carp have also been bred. In winter, this fish sleeps, but this time promises good catch of trout. And winter fishing here is popular precisely because of the trout pond.

Tourists have six piers, two gazebos and boats for rent (500 rubles per day). You can also rent gear. Fishermen live in guest houses. It is planned to open a cafe soon, where fish caught by guests will be prepared by professional chefs in order to save vacationers from tedious cleaning.

A house for two on weekdays – 2000 rubles per day. On weekends – 2500 rubles. There are no restrictions for those who want to go on vacation with pets, but they will need to pay an additional 200-300 rubles.

Address: village Verkholanye-2, Gdov district.

Booking phone:

1. +7.
2. Website address: https://www.fishkagdov.ru/.

Ustye Beach Resort, Country Club

The club is located on the shore of the lake, a hundred kilometers from Pskov. The capacity of the camp site is more than one hundred people. The smallest cottage house is designed for five to seven people. There are sixteen such houses on the club’s territory. There is also a small cafe.

The cost of renting such a house is only five thousand rubles. New this season is half board with accommodation costs starting from 500 rubles per person per night. You can leave your own boat for storage at the equipped pier. You can also rent a boat or boat.

The location of the club provides an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy fishing. Bream, pike, roach, vendace and large perch are actively biting here. The country club is located in the village of Ustye, one and a half kilometers from the regional center.

Website address: https://www.ustje-resort.com/

More detailed information can be obtained here https://vk.com/club49913596 or by calling +7 (911) 922-79-34.

For relaxation and fishing on Lake Peipsi you can rent a small cottage. There are plenty of similar offers on the Internet. The cost of such a vacation will be the most budget-friendly. But such options are more suitable for experienced fishermen. In winter, practicing various methods of searching for fish, they move far from the shore and make holes.

Even more about recreation centers on Lake Peipsi. you can find out from our article.

When searching for fishing spots, professionals focus on certain natural phenomena and do not need to be accompanied by an instructor. For those who do not yet feel so confident in wild natural conditions, trips under the guidance of a specialist are more suitable.

Summer fishing on Lake Peipsi

Not only Pskov and St. Petersburg fishermen, but also guests from other regions of the country go fishing to Lake Peipsi. The Talab Islands are considered one of the most popular places for fishing lovers on Lake Peipsi. Fishing on Lake Peipus in summer will be successful almost anywhere in its waters and at any depth, even where it is less than 1 m. Even more so. It’s not difficult to find a catchable place on the lake.

Even during a strong wind, here you can easily find a quiet place in the reed thickets in the form of a bay or a wide window, and there is excellent fishing there. Winds often blow on Lake Peipus, sometimes the waves are very high, and it is better not to go out into the open spaces of the lake at such times on a boat with low sides. The most successful fishing on Lake Peipsi occurs in April-May; during this period, a huge amount of fish is concentrated near the shore. At this time, fishing is excellent, both in the lake itself and in the numerous channels and rivers and streams flowing into it. An excellent bite occurs with any tackle and equipment very confidently and greedily, and even a person who picks up a fishing rod for the first time will not leave the lake without a decent catch. The most active fish in the lake are ruff, roach, pike and perch.

Pike fishing on Lake Peipsi

The toothy predator in this body of water is usually hunted from a boat. The most promising pike fishing in Lake Peipus occurs along the edges of reed beds, on edges, shallow holes and in shallows. Pike take almost any spinning bait from spoons to twisters. However, for different places and different weather conditions, baits must be selected more carefully. They are caught using a spinning rod both by trolling and by conventional casting of bait followed by retrieving. Fishing on Lake Peipsi by trolling is usually aimed at catching trophies.

Perch fishing on Lake Peipsi

Summer fishing for perch in Lake Peipus is very productive and popular with many fishermen. Experienced and not so experienced fishermen track the location of perch in the water area of ​​the reservoir by circling and the cries of seagulls above the water. For catching perch, light spinning rods and small baits are best suited. They also catch striped robber with live bait, and small perches even with float rods and worms from the shore.

For spinning baits, it is best to use small spinners, and for fishing with silicone baits, a retractable leash would be an excellent choice. Large perch can be easily caught using Castmaster-type spinners.

Blitz tips

1. But you should not forget about the strong wind that prevails in this area, raising high waves on the lake. Therefore, it is not advisable to sail far on a small boat.
2. When indulging in winter fishing, you need to remember that Lake Peipus is still a border zone, so you shouldn’t go far. In some cases, a special permit may be required, which, however, is not difficult to obtain in the city of Gdov.
3. Although Lake Peipsi is quite deep, it has sufficient shallow water. When choosing a place for fishing, it is better to place it permanently and fish for half an hour.
4. If there is no bite, you can move a few hundred meters further from the shore. But there is no practical point in going further than six kilometers.

Fishing on Lake Peipus in winter

Due to the fact that the state border between Estonia and the Russian Federation passes through the waters of Lake Peipus, going out on the ice is often associated with document checks by border guards. Most often this happens in cases where vehicles go to the lake. After all, in winter there are a large number of roads along which it is convenient to move using various types of transport. Therefore, winter fishing on Lake Peipus opens up excellent opportunities for anglers.

It is best to approach the reservoir near the villages of Spitsino or Vetvennik. For those who are going to the lake for the first time, it is better to start getting acquainted with the reservoir along the road that runs near the village of Spitsino, it stretches along the shore. If desired, anglers can stop at one of the fishing bases located on the coast of the lake. There, fishermen are provided with a variety of services, including a comfortable overnight stay.

Fishing for pike perch in winter

Winter fishing on Lake Peipus for pike perch is noteworthy. Pike perch in this reservoir is not very active in winter. In the cold season, the fanged one becomes less mobile and feeds on smaller fish than in the summer. Winter fishing for pike perch in Lake Peipsi is often successful using a worm or bloodworm. The best bite for pike perch is observed when the pressure is stable and the weather is cloudy. During periods of weather change, it is better not to think about catching pike perch for 1-2 days.

In winter, fishing for pike perch in Lake Peipus occurs at depths of over 8 m in areas where underwater fairways pass. It takes a very long time to get from the coastline to these places without equipment. A collective search for pike perch is much more successful than searching for a fanged one alone. With a group you can cover and check a large area of ​​water and quickly find places where there are pike perch.

If the search takes place alone, then 10-15 holes are drilled at a distance of 40-50 m from one another. They are made across the shore. And when a pike perch site is found, holes are drilled along the shore at a distance of about 100 m.

To catch pike perch on Lake Peipus, use a hard whip with a length of 30 cm or more, the reel should be sufficiently capacious with a diameter of 60 mm with a supply of fishing line with a cross-section of 0.20-0.26 mm. Peipus pike perch is very picky about baits, so their selection must be taken very carefully. In terms of color, spinners should have a silver or copper color, but the fanged one reacts especially well to spinners that combine both copper and silver colors.

If the day is cloudy, then fishing in Lake Peipus for pike perch will be more successful using silver-colored spinners with reflective holograms. If the weather is sunny, then brass or copper colored baits will give the best results.

Local fishermen often use homemade sekusha spoons, tube spoons, etc. to catch pike perch. All these baits are united by the shape of a driven body. When fishing for pike perch in Lake Peipsi, the following technique is used: first, the bait sinks to the bottom and lies on it. Then pause for 5-6 seconds. Next, the spoon is raised a little and then knocked on the bottom so that the turbidity rises above it. Then the spoon is slowly raised by about 15 cm and smoothly waved with the whip, raising the bait another 20 or 50 cm, it all depends on the activity of the fanged one, higher if the pike perch is active and lower if passive. Then pause for 10 seconds. Usually perform from 3 to 5 strokes. Next, the fisherman moves away from the hole until the bait hits the ice. Usually they do 10-12 repetitions, and if there are no bites, they move to another hole.