Fishing in Karelia: where to go as a wild man, the best places for a northern winter holiday at the base and in the summer, a map of rivers and lakes for hunters and tourists with names and photos Tourist’s Notebook

Seasons

You can fish in Karelia all year round, but each season has its own characteristics, and not every month can please the fisherman with a good catch.

Winter

December and January are good for winter fishing. In February, only experienced fishermen go out on the ice, knowing where the fish, sedentary due to lack of oxygen, settle for the winter.

The traditional winter species is the burbot, individuals of which up to 1 meter long are found in large numbers in Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga.

Not far from the lake shores, grayling bite well on jigs, but for medium-sized pike, which are especially active on the first and last ice, the best bait is live bait. In small lakes, bream weighing up to three kg is often caught on a bunch of dung worms (it does not react to maggots and corn in winter). Here you can count on two-kilogram perch and roach.

in spring

The release of water basins from ice cover in Karelia occurs at different times, so March ice fishing in the southern regions is unsafe. But it is during this month that pike, perch and rudd begin to fatten, becoming the main prey of fishermen.

During April and May (in the northern regions), the ice melts, the temperature rises, but fishing is not possible due to spawning bans on many species of fish. Thus, it is not allowed to fish for pike until May 31, and pike perch and bream until June 15.

In summer

The summer months are the best time to combine fishing and family vacations. By mid-June, the warm air allows you to pitch a tent near the water, all restrictions on fishing from the shore and from watercraft using various gear and methods are lifted, and the fish are most active.

Most often, chub, roach and bream are caught in the fish soup, but on cool cloudy days the fisherman also comes across more valuable fish: whitefish, grayling, pike perch, trout and salmon.

in autumn

September and early October are the best time for a professional fisherman to catch another trophy.

It becomes uncomfortable to spend the night in a tent, but a decrease in water and air temperatures leads to the activation of large pike and ide. And with further cooling, the pre-winter glutton also begins for pike perch, chub and burbot.

If mid-October is warm, you can count on a good bite for vendace, palia and salmon, but November is a controversial month for fishing. Due to the unpredictability of the weather, sometimes in the northern regions at this time it is already possible to engage in ice fishing, and in the southern regions - trolling.

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Where to fish for trout in Karelia?

In the Republic of Karelia, trout (trout) is a common fish and is found in many water bodies. Here are some lakes where you can count on a good catch: Nyuk, Segozero, Tiksheozero, Pulozero, Sandal, Kuito, Pyaozero, Maslozero, Eletyozero, Paanayarvi, Sumozero, Yushkozero, Pistayarvi, Tukhkalskoye, Sokololozero, Shuezero.

Brook trout in Karelia can be caught in the following rivers: Myagreka, Pongoma, Vyg, Suma, Shuya (Belomorskaya), Tunguda, Shalitsa, Pista, Ruiga, Kolezhma and many others. Also, don’t forget about the largest lakes in the Northwestern Federal District: Onega and Ladoga.

If you have never been to Karelia and have never caught trout, but really want to catch this fish, you can choose a recreation center on the shore of any body of water where trout (trout) are found and the staff can usually tell you where, how and what you can do catch this fish.

Names and photos of fish

There are about 60 species of fish in the lakes and rivers of the republic, but there are also the most desirable trophies for any fisherman.

Pike

This is the most common aquatic predator in Karelia, found in all water bodies.

Bursts of active biting are observed after spawning from April to the end of May, as well as during long cold spells in the summer. The most popular fishing gear is spinning, and the most popular fishing method is trolling. The largest individuals are most likely to be caught on large but inaccessible lakes.

Bream

Not very common in the reservoirs of Karelia, but large specimens are found in all large lakes in deep places with a muddy bottom and in wide sections of some rivers (Kepe, Myagreke, Pongome, Shuya) with a slow flow.
From the shore, after preliminary feeding, bream are caught with bottom and float rods, using worms, bloodworms, bread or dough as bait, and from a boat - with a winter fishing rod with a jig, while an echo sounder will be of great help. This fish can be caught all year round, but the best fishing seasons are summer and autumn.

Salmon

Before taking on this migratory fish, you should immediately find out whether there is a ban on catching it in a given place and at a given time.

Salmon loves clean and cold water, so it is more often found in Ladoga, Sredny Kuyto, Nyuk, as well as in all rivers flowing into the White Sea. But the most valuable trophy is considered to be Onega salmon.

The best time for fishing is cloudy days in early summer and mid-autumn, the most suitable gear is spinning.

Burbot

This cold-loving representative of cod prefers lakes with a sandy and rocky bottom and is found everywhere in Karelia.
In the winter, before spawning, it is better to catch it with a jig; in the summer, burbot practically does not feed; in the fall, it goes hunting after sunset, getting caught on donks, which fishermen leave for the whole night. Frogs, crawlers, and any dead or live fish are used as bait.

Large perch

It is found in all bodies of water and can be caught all year round. Depending on their habitat, fishermen divide them into 2 species: small individuals that prefer shallow thickets differ from their large deep-seated counterparts in their darker color.

Karelian perch bites on:

worm on a float rod;
live bait and jig - on a bottom rod;
rotating spinning spoon.

Whitefish

In the Karelian basin, there are 3 very similar subspecies of this fish: migratory, lake, river.

Therefore, whitefish can be caught in any body of water in summer or early autumn using most traditional gear. But large individuals most often bite on spinning rods, preferring the smallest spoons.

Zander

There are two subspecies:

semi-anadromous, which comes out to spawn at the mouth of rivers;
residential, not leaving the lake.

Found in all large lakes and very rarely in river mouths. The best time for biting is from mid-August to the end of October. For fishing, they most often use a spinning rod with spinners resembling a ruff, bleak or vendace (the favorite food of pike perch).

Trout

There are 2 groups:

large lake trout (trout), which is caught on a spinning rod with rotating spoons, wobblers or narrow spoons;
small stream fish (“speckled fish”) - fly fishing and a float rod are preferred for fishing.

Trout fishing begins immediately after the water bodies are cleared of ice and ends just before freeze-up. You can count on a good catch of brown trout in Pyaozero, Segozero, Pistajärvi, Sandal and Kuito, but for “speckled trout” it is better to go to Vyg, Suma, Shuya or Kolemzha.

Grayling

It prefers to live in cold lakes with a rocky bottom and clear water, so the fisherman should carefully camouflage himself or catch this fish in cloudy weather or in the morning and before sunset.

Features and Recommendations

There are a lot of bodies of water in Karelia; it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to fish in every one.

When discussing and planning a route in advance, it is worth taking into account the following features:

On large lakes there will be many willing fishermen at any time of the year.
Each camp site has several trained guides-pathfinders who will take you to promising places away from general crowds of people.
On the same body of water, every day you can go to different places for different trophies.
Having a boat will help you catch more fish.
If fishing is carried out for more than one day, it is advisable to salt previously caught trophies.

Before going to the region, it is advisable to consult with those who have already been there. They will help fill in the knowledge gaps about the region and equip your luggage with everything you need.

Recommendations for behavior in the wild are known to everyone, but there are still some subtleties:

Of the poisonous snakes, only the viper is found in Karelia, but it does not pose any particular danger if it is not disturbed;
You should be wary of ticks; for this it is advisable to inspect them twice a day for these parasites;
There are always mosquitoes and midges in Karelia, they will annoy you both day and night, so everyone should have the following means:
To avoid getting lost, it’s better to have a navigator, it will help you get out;
fishing gear should be prepared at home; thin and light gear is not suitable for these reservoirs;
In addition to the rod forms, it is worth arming yourself with a bait, it is better not to take a hook, in some places it is considered illegal;
When choosing a body of water, find out in advance whether a license is available; for some lakes and rivers it is required.

Read Rubber boats for motors

The main advice would be to ask you to leave everything clean behind you, take all rubbish, even small ones, with you. Only then will the most beautiful landscapes of Karelia delight the eyes of our children and grandchildren.

Rules

In order not to become a poacher, an amateur fisherman needs to know that in the reservoirs of the republic it is forbidden:

to catch fish listed in the Red Book of Karelia and young animals whose size is less than permissible;
use prohibited tools for fishing (nets and traps of all types, nonsense, electric current, firearms, etc.), as well as fishing methods (for example, using dams or using scuba gear);
exceed the permissible catch weight for each species;
fish in prohibited places and during prohibited periods.

In the northern fishery basin, catching some fish species is permitted with special fishing vouchers.

It is advisable to find out in more detail about all the prohibitions and restrictions in advance before going to a specific body of water by contacting the Fishery Supervision Department for the Republic of Karelia by phone, or on the website https://sztufar.ru.

Fishing in Karelia - features of the region

Anyone who has not been to these places should familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of the region before their first trips, otherwise serious problems may arise.

It is also important to plan the type and duration of your vacation in advance. So, it is important to decide where you are going to settle: as a savage in tents far from civilization or in comfortable rooms in one of the many tourist centers

We recommend relaxing as a savage to those who have already mastered this practice more than once. Here you need to take good care of your protective equipment, since the abundance of midges, mosquitoes, ticks and snakes can seriously spoil your holiday experience.

Fishing in Karelia as a wild person requires the use of a navigator, otherwise there is a serious risk of getting lost in the vast expanses of the region. As for roads, the main transport routes are in good condition and covered with asphalt. But the secondary roads that adjoin the main ones leave much to be desired. Most often it is a dirt road, which turns into mush as a result of frequent and heavy rains. Therefore, traveling and moving around the region in a low-slung car is not the best idea. An SUV will be the ideal car here.

You definitely need to take several sets of underwear and clothes with you, for different temperature conditions, because the local climate is very capricious and changeable. During the rainy season, the weather can completely change in a matter of minutes: just 5 minutes ago the sun was shining, and now the sky is clouded and heavy rain is pouring.

Here you can stumble upon fish that are listed in the Red Book (for example). Naturally, you can’t catch it, and if you catch it, you must definitely release it back into the water. After fishing, the fisherman will be faced with the question of the safety of the catch: where to store the caught fish if there is no freezer at hand, and the fishing area itself is located far from the bases. Therefore, you will often have to salt the fish right on the spot. Take plenty of salt with you. Why more? Yes, because there are a lot of fish here!

IMPORTANT! It has been noticed that on large rivers and lakes the bite is somewhat weaker than on small lambushka lakes. That's because fishermen often pass by small lakes, unfairly comparing them to puddles

And at this time, a lot of fish are growing and actively developing here.

It happens that from a small lake, the diameter of which is no more than 10 meters, fishermen manage to catch a hefty large fish.

Fishing methods and gear

Considering that it is difficult to dig up worms on rocky shores, fishing rod followers, in addition to a reel with fishing line up to 0.25 mm thick and a set of floats, need to stock up on bread, corn, caddis flies, pearl barley and semolina porridge. For hunting trout and grayling below the rapids, riding gear with an artificial fly is suitable.

For spinning fishing, it is advisable to use a rod 3 m long and a fishing line of 0.35 mm; however, due to frequent snags on the rocky bottom, spinners of various colors and sizes (oscillating and spinners) should be grabbed more. In the rivers with dark water of South Karelia, silver-colored spinners have proven themselves well, and in the clear water of the rivers of North Karelia - yellow-colored ones.

On some lakes, trolling with motorized watercraft using wobblers is becoming increasingly popular. But the “track” tackle remains no less effective for catching large perch, pike or pike perch.

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The best places to go wild in the northern and southern parts of the Republic

The north and south of Karelia provide many suitable places where fishing lovers can go to enjoy fishing and at the same time have a wonderful rest.
The best time for fishing in Karelia is from mid-June to October.

Ladoga

The coastal zone of Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe, covered with spruce trees and dense thickets of blueberries, is not very suitable for fishing from the shore, and fishing here is carried out mainly from boats near the islands, in the calm water of small bays and bays.

There are up to 60 species of fish in the water area, and the amateur fisherman is guaranteed an excellent catch:

roach;
bream;
silver bream;
burbot;
whitefish

It is often possible to catch a trophy specimen of pike perch or pike.

You can submit to the beauty of Karelian nature and learn local legends on a friendly adventure with a local guide on a boat trip along the Ladoga skerries

Shuya River

This river, 154 km long, flows from the Suoyarvi reservoir and, after passing through two more lakes, flows into Logmozero, has many tributaries and several large rapids. The most common species found in the waters of Shuya are: pike perch, roach, pike, grayling, burbot, perch, and ide.

Syamozero

Fishing from the wooded low shores of Syamozero is not entirely convenient, and fishermen usually take boats and fish in bays and near islands.

In the middle and on the western side of this one of the largest Karelian lakes, pike perch is often caught, and throughout the water area the following are caught:

vendace;
bream;
perch.

During winter fishing you can often catch burbot.

Pyaozero

The winding coastline of Pyaozer, covered with forests, is dotted with numerous coves and bays; there are swamps in the south.

Experts consider this water area one of the best places for fishing and have equipped a number of islands with fishing stops.

Here you cannot do without a watercraft; it is advisable to have an echo sounder. To catch palya and a number of other fish, a special license is required. The following species are common in Pyaozero: perch, brown trout, whitefish, pike, burbot, smelt, but you can also find other species (ruff, bleak, vendace, ide).

Lake Onega

This reservoir, the second largest in Europe, is characterized by sharp changes in bottom relief. On the north, trenches alternating with elevations form so-called banks, and on the south side ridges and ridges give way to pits and depressions.

Most often in Lake Onega you can catch:

roach;
pike;
bream;
pike perch.

Having received a special permit, you can hunt for salmon. It is better to fish in the summer from a boat, but many people like to fish here in the winter. At this time, you can catch trophy specimens of burbot here.

Kolezma

This 87 km long river flows into the White Sea, having first passed through several small reservoirs. The river has many fast-flowing sections, rifts and rapids.

It’s not very convenient to get here - the river is located at a distance. Kolezhma, rich in fish, is home to: grayling, perch, smelt, pike, vendace, whitefish, trout, roach.

Segozero

The high rocky shores of Segozero, smoother in the south and rugged in the north, are overgrown with coniferous forests. To successfully go fishing, you cannot do without a boat and an echo sounder.

The northern side of the water area with its numerous islands, bays and bays is more suitable for fishing.

You can catch on Segozero:

pike, and a large one at that;
bream;
perch

In winter, trophy burbot is often caught.

Vyg

This is the largest river in the republic, consisting of the Lower and Upper Vyg. The latter leaves Lake Verkhotinskoye and flows into Vygozero, flowing through a number of reservoirs, and then Nizhny flows, flowing into the White Sea.

The Nizhny Vyg, as part of the White Sea-Baltic Canal, is of little use for fishing, but in the Upper Vyg they catch: burbot, grayling, pike, roach, bream, trout, whitefish, vendace, and ide.

Pistajoki

The Pista River, 110 km long, originates in Lake Joukamojärvi and flows into Upper Kuito.

To fish here, you need to purchase a license. And you can catch:

perch;
trout;
dace;
pike;
grayling;
roach;
ide;
less often - whitefish and salmon.

Maslozero

On Maslozero, with its low and rocky coastline, it is better to take a boat for fishing. The following types of fish are caught in the reservoir: vendace, pike, whitefish, roach, perch, trout, bream.

Voinitsa

On this 94 km long river, flowing from Lake Ala and flowing into Upper Kuito, is the highest Karelian waterfall, Kumi.

In a river with many rapids there are:

grayling;
pike;
roach;
perch;
trout.

Kuito

Lakes Upper, Middle and Lower Kuyto are interconnected and are well suited for fishing. There are convenient entrances on the northern side of Middle Kuyto.

They catch here: vendace, perch, burbot, trout, pike, bream, whitefish, grayling.

Sandalwood

Sandal Lake is now a reservoir where fishing enthusiasts go for:

bream;
whitefish;
pike, which is found in the northern part of the reservoir;
pike perch living on rocky ridges located in the depths.

It is convenient to get to the lake, and you can rent a boat for fishing.

Vodlozero

The low rocky shores of the reservoir with coniferous forests are dotted with bays, capes, and bays. The waters of the lake are inhabited by: pike, perch, smelt, roach, pike perch, and bream.

It is better to fish from a boat at the mouths of rivers flowing into Vodlozero, in bays and near islands, although pike can be caught anywhere in the water area.

To fish on a lake located within a national park, you must obtain permission from the administration.

Janisjärvi

The water area, located in the Sortavala region, has an area of 174.9 km2. Due to poor food supply, the number of fish is gradually decreasing, but from a boat, which can be rented at one of the bases, it is possible to catch:

perch;
whitefish;
pike;
vendace.

Read more about Lake Janisjärvi in this article

Lip Chupa

Most fishermen choose this section of the White Sea because of its convenient access to the water, good protection from wind and waves, as well as great depths right off the coast. The main species composition of the ichthyofauna includes up to 70 species. For fishermen, the most valuable are: navaga, cod, salmon, catfish, brown trout, mackerel, haddock, and flounder.

Chelmuzhi

This ancient village was built at the mouth of the Nemina River on the eastern shore of the Povenets Bay of Lake Onega and is considered popular among fishermen. You can stay here at the fishing and hunting base of the same name. People come here to catch grayling, perch and pike.

Sofporog village

It is part of the Loukhsky district and is located on the northwestern shore of Topozero. Every year on the second Saturday of July, a regional holiday “Fisherman’s Day” is held here near the closed fish factory.

Not far from the village there are several fishing bases, the most famous of which is the Leshchevy Bereg complex of forest huts.

Salmi

The urban-type settlement is located in the northeast of Lake Ladoga in the Pitkäranta region at the mouth of the Tulemajoki River. Among fishermen it is famous for winter fishing and two bases: “Bryaus” and “13th Cordon”.

Lizhem Lake

The reservoir with an area of 104 km2 and 30 islands is located in the Kondopoga region and is named after the Lizhma River flowing through it. The lake is inhabited by: ruff, perch, roach, vendace, whitefish, bream, burbot, pike.

Käppeselga

The administrative center in the Kondopoga district with a population of more than 400 people, located 70 km from Kondopoga. For fishing enthusiasts, it is of interest because it is located in the center of a cluster of small lakes:

Shaidomozero;
Terskina Lambina;
Nizhneye Unitskoe;
Upper Pigmozero;
Viksheozero.

Vidlitsa

The small river coming from Vedlozero and flowing into Ladoga attracts fishermen with its extensive reaches and rapids. Among the 19 species of fish that live there, the most valuable are: vendace, whitefish, grayling, and Ladoga salmon.

Tiksha

A small lake with a village of the same name on the western shore is located in the Muezersky region of Karelia. Common fish species:

bream;
perch;
ruff;
pike.

Munozero

The water basin with an area of 13.2 km2 includes 4 reaches and has 6 islands. You can fish for roach, perch, vendace, burbot, ruffe, bream and pike, and at the same time relax in the guest house at the Munozero base of the same name.

Pyalma

It flows through the Pudozhsky district and flows into Lake Onega. The 72 km long river with a single settlement has 9 tributaries, and its basin contains 6 small lakes.

Pyalma is rich in pike, trout and salmon.

Kovzhskoe

A small body of water with an area of 65 km2 (average depth 6 m), although it passes into the Karelian Kuzhozero in the north, officially belongs to the Vytegorsky district of the Vologda region. While staying at the recreation center in the village of Loza, you can go fishing on the lake for:

ruff;
carp;
crucian carp;
perch;
roach;
bream;
vendace;
pike perch;
pike.

The most popular rivers and lakes

With all the abundance of diverse rivers and lakes in the Karelian Republic, there are a number of reservoirs that are especially popular with most fishermen.

Sandal Lake

Lake Sandal is one of the deepest lakes in Karelia. The reservoir is located in the southern part of the republic and ensures the operation of the Kondopoga hydroelectric station. In spring and summer you can catch good peaceful fish here. In the fall, people come here who want to catch large pike perch and pike perch. In winter there is a chance to catch deep-sea palia.

An inflatable watercraft will be very useful for a fisherman when traveling through Karelian reservoirs.

Segozero

Segozero is located in the Segezha region of Karelia. There are various fishing routes along the lake, which involve taking fishermen to the numerous islands of the lake. There are various types of fish in Segozero, but anglers come here for large bream and trophy pike. To fish on the lake, it is better to drive to the village of Popov Porog and rent a boat there. There are professional rangers in the village who organize fishing tours along Segozero and the rivers flowing into it.

Vodlozero

Vodlozero is located in the Pudozhsky district of the Karelian Republic. The majority of fishermen visit this reservoir in the hope of catching a trophy pike perch. In addition to pike perch, this lake is home to pike, perch and roach. Getting to Vodlozero is quite difficult, but this does not deter fans of trophy fishing.

Syamozero

Syamozero attracts fishermen with the opportunity to catch not only pike and perch, traditional for Karelia, but also whitefish and salmon. It is better to catch whitefish from the islands using bottom and float gear. Salmon can be caught by trolling. A fishing inspection is constantly working on the reservoir, so salmon must have a license.

Read: Catching silver bream in winter

Bottom fish in Russian rivers

Shuya River

The Shuya River can claim the title of the most fishing place in Karelia. Shuya is home to more than twenty species of fish, including grayling, trout and salmon. Despite the fact that there are quite a lot of fish in the river, they do not always bite well, which is due to strong fishing pressure in the reservoir. The purity of the water in Shuya is evidenced by the crayfish living in its waters.

Svyatreka

Svyatreka flows in the Pryazhinsky region of Karelia. In the lower reaches of Svyatreka, perch and small roach bite well. In creeks and shallow bays, spinning anglers catch pike weighing up to a kilogram. The upper reaches of the Svyatreka River are of constant interest to fly fishermen, as a lot of grayling and trout live here.

On Karelian rivers you can not only fish, but also engage in water sports.

Suna

Suna is one of the tributaries of Lake Onega. In the lower reaches of the Suna they catch bream, roach and pike perch. In the middle section of the river, small pike and perch are caught. In the upper reaches of the Suna, an angler can count on catching ide and river dace. This river is very popular among kayakers.

Contokki

An interesting lake called Kontokki is located on the border with Finland, near the city of Kostomuksha. Here you can always catch quite large roach and perch. Part of the reservoir is located within the city, which allows you to drive to the lake by car.

What recreation centers and houses for hunters can stay at?

Those wishing to combine fishing with a comfortable holiday are better off using the services of fishing bases:

The house of the hunter-fisherman “Pyaozero”, located on the picturesque shore of the water area of the same name, welcomes everyone all year round and provides catamarans, boats and boats for rent in the summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.
At the fishing base “Fish Piglet”, located at the confluence of three lakes (Pistajarvi, Ohtanjärvi, Malviainen) and four rivers (Pisto, Niva, Vozhma, Okhta), if you rent a boat or boat, it is almost impossible to remain without a catch.
In the fishing village “Nageus” on the shores of Lake Nyuk, professional staff will help organize fishing, providing any transport and huntsman support at the most affordable prices.
You can catch a pike weighing up to 15 kg and take part in licensed fishing for salmon and trout at the Mantiansaari fishing base, which is located on the island of Lunkulansaari in the north-eastern part of Lake Ladoga.
The pearl of Karelia is the fishing base “Hunter Paradise” (the shore of Lake Yashezero, 75 km from Petrozavodsk) - thanks to its comfortable cottages with satellite TV, its own pier, a large fleet of watercraft, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, a restaurant with European and Karelian cuisine.

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Fishing on Segozero

This place also ranks among the top fishermen. Segozero is also quite large, its area is approximately 90 sq.m. The depth reaches up to 25 meters. The water is clean and transparent. It can be seen about 5-6 meters away. A great place to go fishing with a spinning rod or a simple float rod. On Segozero you can catch the following types of fish:

Salmon.
Grayling.
Pike.
Trout.
Perch.
Ide.
Roach.
Burbot.

Segozero is famous for its islands, which you can get to by boat and stay there overnight or for three or four days. This is definitely a real fusion with nature. Just the lake and fishing. You can relax in comfort. There are also hotels and fishing bases. Gear can be rented along with the island; the price for renting an island is approximately from 1.5 to 3 thousand per day. There are also guarded parking lots where you can leave your car and not be afraid that something will happen to it.

But fishing in wild places, of course, has its pros and cons that are worth mentioning.

One of the advantages, of course, is romance. Fish in wild places where no human has ever set foot before (well, almost never set foot before)