Fishing in Karelia as a savage: where to go

Karelia is a fishing region primarily due to the presence of good environmental conditions and numerous reservoirs that occupy a huge part of nature. The nature here is really beautiful, in many places you can go fishing without fear of seeing a person there, that is, wild fishing is exactly what Karelia can provide to any fisherman in full.

At the same time, reservoirs are rich in a variety of fish, and nature can provide a wonderful and varied vacation that will never be forgotten. This is probably why most amateur fishermen who love wild fishing prefer to vacation in Karelia.

You can also get to Karelian fishing spots by train, but the best way would be personal transport, since this type of transportation will have several invaluable advantages:

you can drive up to the very banks of various bodies of water;
all gear can be carried in the car;
if necessary, you can quickly get to another place;
Nights in Karelia are often rainy, so if there is no tent, the car becomes a place to sleep.

Season for fishing

Every season in Karelia, fishing has distinctive features. Each season and its features will be described below.

The autumn fishing period has several features from other seasons in terms of fishing significance:

after the arrival of the first cold weather, the fish gradually move to greater depths;
September is the month of maximum weight gain;
After the maximum zhora, predatory species remain active, so it is better to fish with live bait.

In autumn you can catch:

pike;
perches; roach;
ides;
pike perch.

The winter fishing period has excellent features:

the main fishing is carried out using special winter gear;
The bait used is a worm, bloodworms, and maggots.

In winter they bite mainly:

burbot;
whitefish;
roaches;
grayling.

Spring fishing has its own specifics:

Fishing after breaking up of the ice is carried out for the same species as in winter;
It is better to use a fishing attachment, that is, a balancer, a spinner or a jig.

The summer period is the best for fishing, as natural conditions allow you to get good rest. In addition, summer also has its own specifics:

fishing is done from the banks or from a boat;
Fishing is possible with any set of gear;
the largest number of species can be caught both on the lake and on the river.

The main types of fish that fishermen catch in the summer are:

brown trout;
salmon;
zander;
salmon;
pink salmon.

It is also common to see:

perches;
pike;
bream.

The best places for fisherman

There are more than sixty thousand lakes and almost thirty thousand rivers in Karelia, and almost every body of water contains fish. The places here are truly wild and fishy. And this allows fishermen to thoroughly enjoy wild fishing. But among the Karelian reservoirs there are several rivers and lakes, which are the most favorite places for fishing among local fishermen and visiting amateur fishermen.

It is also worth remembering that lakes and rivers are usually selected according to the set of fish species, so when fishing for salmon, fishermen usually go to the north of Karelia. For lovers of trophy fishing, ordinary places are not suitable; such fishermen should go to deserted places that cannot be reached by transport. It is in such small wild lakes that trophy fish species can be found.

Lakes

There are many different little-known lakes in Karelia that have a wide range of fish species, in particular this applies to small lakes that are located in the virgin part of Karelia

Of the many lakes in Karelia, several of the largest freshwater reservoirs stand out, since all of these lakes have shores that you can drive to. At the same time, there is plenty of fish in the lakes, and the large size allows you to be alone with nature.

Ladoga is the largest Karelian lake; in addition, Lake Ladoga is home to almost sixty species of fish. The main ones:

roach;
pike;
zander;
salmon;
trout.

Sometimes you may come across:

sturgeon;
sterlet.

Most fishing on the lake takes place using a boat, since the coastline often does not allow fishing from the shore. The southern part of the lake is shallow and mainly catches pike perch, while in the north there is fishing for salmon and sturgeon. At the same time, fish are caught mainly in a skerry, that is, a strait or cove between islands near the coast.

Onega is smaller than Ladoga, but for fishermen this lake looks like a more preferable option. This is due to the fact that there are many species of salmon in the lake. It is worth remembering that salmon fishing is carried out only under a sports license.

In addition, the lake contains:

pike;
zander;
perches;
white fish.

Syamoozero is located in the southern part of Karelia, on the territory of the Shuya basin. The lake itself has almost a hundred islands, as well as many coves and bays.

The lake is inhabited by:

whitefish;
chubs;
bream;
Sintsy;
silver bream;
ruffs;
perch larger than a kilogram;
zander;
pike.

At the same time, not only fishermen, but also pike and zander are fighting for all the fishing spots. That is, where there is pike perch, there is almost no chance of catching pike.

Pyaozero is the largest lake in the northern region of Karelia. The average depth is sixteen meters, and the maximum reaches fifty. The lake is considered deep-water, and there is almost no civilization nearby. This lake is often visited by fans of trophy fishing.

Here you can catch large specimens:

pike;
grayling;
ide;
trout;
whitefish;
brown trout

There are about fifteen other species. It is worth noting that nearby is Topoozero, which has the same list of inhabitants, since both lakes are part of the systems of the Kumskaya reservoir zone. At the same time, it is preferable to go here for grayling. This is due to the fact that in this lake grayling lives in huge quantities and at the same time has a size of up to one kilogram.

There are many different little-known lakes in Karelia that have a wide range of fish species, in particular this applies to small lakes that are located in the virgin part of Karelia. But also little-known lakes, which are quite large, are simply known strictly among the region’s fishermen. For example, Vodloozero or Segoozero, as well as Kuito.

Rivers

Shuya is constantly visited by fishermen and a quiet, calm place here has become a rarity

Rivers are also numerous in Karelia, as are lakes. Moreover, most lakes are filled precisely from these rivers, which leads to the fact that often the set of fish flora in the river and lake is almost the same. It is worth remembering that fish go mainly to the flowing river to spawn. For example, salmon does this.

List of the most popular rivers for fishing among amateur anglers:

Okhta;
Pistajoki;
Suna;
Keret;
Vodla;
Shuya.

There are three most popular rivers for wildfishing:

Shuya Pool;
Okhta basin;
The Chirko-Kem River, which is one of the initial parts of the Kem River.

Each of these three routes has its own set of fish, as well as its own characteristics.

The Shuya basin is located in the south of Karelia and is located quite close to Petrozavodsk, which allows numerous tourists to come here, including from abroad. Shuya is constantly visited by fishermen and a quiet, calm place here has become a rarity, but on the other hand, there are still fewer people than on reservoirs in the central part of Russia.

Here they mainly catch:

perch;
zander;
pike;
grayling;
trout.

On the Okhta, which flows into the Kem, there are not many tourists , but people still come here quite often for fishing, mainly because very large fish are found here.

You can catch it here:

bream;
perch;
pike

In addition, almost all the fish of this region are also present, but in limited quantities, because they prefer to live in lakes in the Okhta basin.

The Chirko-Kemi basin is simply a treasure for anglers who love to catch large specimens of pike, in addition there are many different species of fish that live in large numbers at each rapid. Currently, salmon and salmon have practically disappeared from this river, but other types of fish are abundant here.

Often found here:

pike;
burbot;
dace;
trout;
grayling;
perch;
bream.

Each river has a standard set of fish, which is common for a given region. The difference becomes noticeable only when comparing northern Karelian rivers and southern ones.

What's useful

You can take everything with you on a wild fishing trip, but especially important and necessary things are included in a short list:

tackle and equipment, that is, everything that will be used for fishing , for example, spinning rods or fishing rods, as well as everything for them, including bait and bait;
a tent, since the nights in Karelia are cool , especially near bodies of water;
boat, a desirable means of transportation , since it will not be possible to fish from many banks;
car, for ease of travel and speed of movement it is best to have a personal vehicle;
You should also take a camera or camera , since the places in Karelia are really beautiful;
food supply , which will include canned food, tea, salt and bread;
knives are used for fishing and cutting;
a supply of matches in waterproof packaging;
A first aid kit is also required, especially for people suffering from chronic or allergic diseases.

Reviews about fishing in Karelia

Igor, Samara. “There is no more picturesque and beautiful place in the world than Lake Onega. The bite was very active, but grayling pecked more often.”
Alexander, St. Petersburg. “For three years now, my friends and I have been going fishing on Wamu. We fish with a float rod and have never left disappointed, a marvelous landscape combined with a rich catch.”
Peter, Norilsk. “Fishing is breathtaking, the best place for me is Syamozero. I like fishing on a boat; within three hours there’s already a big catch, especially pike.”

To summarize, we can conclude that there are no people disappointed with wild fishing in Karelia. Everyone is impressed by the beauty of nature and the excellent catch.

Blitz tips

For savage fishing in Karelia, there are some features that you need to know when traveling through Karelian reservoirs and, of course, fishing on them. This is due to climatic conditions, as well as the virginity of many fishing spots. Therefore, do not neglect some of the tips that will be described below.

Here is a list of tips that you need to follow for convenience and safety:

When traveling around Karelia, and especially when it comes to wild fishing, you need to travel with someone who has already been to the area
Due to changeable weather, it is necessary to take more warm clothing with you;
On Onega, a license is required to catch valuable species of fish;
If you have no desire to fish wild, you can relax at a fishing base or in recreation areas for tourists, since in such places there are places for fishing;
If you want a family holiday, it is possible to get to numerous tourist centers , which are located on the banks of lakes and rivers;
When traveling around Karelia, and especially when it comes to wild fishing , you need to travel with someone who has already been to the area;
Roads are often non-existent or in very poor quality, so a four-wheel drive SUV or a willingness to travel on foot is required. This is due to the fact that many places for full-fledged wild fishing are not located in places of civilization, that is, quite far from the nearest human settlements or tourist centers;
The boat should preferably be a motor one , since the main fishing takes place on large lakes or deep rivers;
In the summer, you need to take mosquito repellent with you , especially from May to September;
It is always necessary to have a supply of medicines and food with you, as well as means of self-defense, since places in Karelia can indeed be very wild places. For example, there are places with numerous wild animals. This also applies to the fact that there are a lot of poisonous snakes and vipers in Karelia.

Fishing as a savage

Fishing as a savage has a lot of advantages than an organized holiday in a hotel complex.

Advantages

Small financial investment. This is one of the main aspects. You don't spend a ton of money on hotel accommodations. Setting up a tent on a picturesque bank of a river or lake is completely free
Romance. There is nothing better than sitting by the fire, singing songs with a guitar in the evening, spending the night in a tent, and going fishing during the day.
Privacy. The tent can be set up in a place where you will not be disturbed by other campers, where you will not hear your neighbors talking behind the wall.
Mobility. After fishing in one place, you can easily pack up your things and move to another place.

Of course, savage fishing also has its disadvantages, for example, the lack of proper comfort, but lovers of this type of recreation usually turn a blind eye to them.

However, remember some rules so that your holiday is not overshadowed:

Karelia is the northern region. When you spend the night in a tent you can get very cold. Take warm clothes with you.
Midges (mosquitoes, horseflies, etc.) are very unpleasant company for fishermen in Karelia. Bring insect repellent with you.
Be prepared for long periods without showering, as well as cooking over a fire or camp stove.

What to take with you?

Like any fisherman or hiker, you need to be well equipped because some of the places where you camp for fishing will not be easy to get to the nearest store to buy what you need. Therefore, it is better to have everything at hand, carefully making a list of what you need.

So, what will you need if you decide to go wild fishing to Karelia:

Vehicle. It is better if it is an SUV - in such a car you will travel even to the most inaccessible areas of Karelia. Also, be sure to bring a jack, cable, and spare tire with you just in case. It doesn’t fit an extra flask of gasoline either.
Boat. Thus, you will have the opportunity to fish not only from the shore, but also from the middle of the reservoir.
Tent, sleeping bag. You will have to wear a headscarf to spend the night, and the nights may be cold. Also take care of warm clothes, they will definitely not be superfluous.
Repellents against mosquitoes and other midges. You will need them, as these places are full of mosquitoes and ticks.
Camping stove, gas cylinders. A great alternative to making a fire. It is fashionable to warm food and cook it much faster.
Canned food and instant food. If you don’t have the energy and time to cook, this will be your lifesaver.
Matches, lighters, alcohol burners.
First aid kit with everything you need.
Soap, wet wipes and other hygiene products.
Mobile phone or walkie-talkie.
A camera with which you can capture your record catch.
All necessary fishing gear. Better - with a reserve. Typically, fishermen take with them two fully equipped fishing rods and a fair supply of spinners, baits, and so on.