Hunting and fishing
Hunting and fishing
Trophy fishing in Yugra: where, how and when to catch record specimens
Do you dream of a real man's fishing? Do you want to pull out a pike of up to 15 kg, get a powerful adrenaline rush and return with a story that will make your friends jealous? Come to Yugra! In this article, we will tell you where to catch big fish, when is the best time to go for record catches and introduce you to trusted fishing tour guides in the region.
Who organizes trophy tours in Yugra?
In Yugra, trophy tours are conducted by both private guides and professional clubs.
Among the most experienced:
The Wild North expedition club specializes in fishing on the hard-to-reach Yendra Lake, 80 km from Khanty-Mansiysk. Here they catch trophy pike (up to 17 kg) and large perch. In winter, they get there by snowmobile, in summer - by helicopter. On the shore, there is a base with modular houses, a bathhouse and a field kitchen.
Dmitry Novikov conducts tours along the Ob and Vakh in the Nizhnevartovsk area. His arsenal includes modern boats with echo sounders and a full set of equipment. Groups of up to 4 people (but 6 are also possible).
Konstantin Shikhov is a former professional sledge hockey player and Sochi Paralympic medalist, now a professional guide. He works on the Irtysh and Ob rivers near Khanty-Mansiysk, using a speedboat to find the best spots.
Our selection features only responsible guides and clubs that strictly adhere to the catch-and-release principle when catching record specimens. This approach ensures the preservation of the fish population, allowing future generations of fishermen to enjoy the riches of Siberian waters.
Why is Yugra a fisherman's dream?
Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra is famous for its untouched nature and rich fish resources. The main waterways - the Ob, Irtysh, and their tributaries are home to trophy specimens:
Pike - individuals weighing 15-20 kg. Perch - up to 3 kg with an average weight of 200-300 grams.
Ide, roach, crucian carp, and roach are also caught here. But Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, nelma, muksun and whitefish (shchekur) will have to be released - they are prohibited from being caught.
Dmitry Novikov: "Nizhnevartovsk is located in the heart of Russia, where the Ob and Vakh Rivers retain their pristine purity. The nearest hydroelectric power station is 2,000 km away, so the water here is crystal clear and the fish are healthy and large. There are up to 50 species in the Ob, including muksun, nelma, sterlet and pike perch. But the main trophy for many is pike, which can be caught all year round."
Konstantin Shikhov: “We fish on the Irtysh and Ob rivers near Khanty-Mansiysk. We can travel up to 100 km on the water in a day – a 5.5-meter boat with a 200-horsepower engine and echo sounders allows us to quickly find promising spots. I start the trophy pike season in mid-July, when the water recedes, and continue until the end of October.”
There are also many lakes and pits in the autonomous region that were formed as a result of mining. They are comfortable for fishing because there is no current in them.
Club "Wild North": "Lake Yendra is remarkable in that fish bite here all year round, because there are underground rivers and streams that feed the water with oxygen. On the shore of the lake there is a cozy cedar forest, a completely deserted area with wild animals and endless expanses of the Siberian tundra and taiga."
When to go for trophies?
When planning a fishing trip, it is important to consider the seasonal characteristics of fish behavior and fishing conditions:
Winter:
● December is a great time for fishing: the ice has already formed, but is not too thick yet, it is easy to drill by hand; the fish are active, and it is convenient to move on the ice.
● January - February is the period of the dead of winter: severe frosts reduce the activity of fish, the fish stay in place, bite sluggishly, local accumulations are possible.
Spring:
● March - the fish begin to move to channels and springs: daylight hours increase, the weather is more comfortable, the bite is good, especially in places with an influx of fresh water.
● April — the peak of activity, but the ice becomes dangerous: melting snow saturates the water with oxygen — the fish bite very actively, the ice is loose, moving on it is risky (especially on a snowmobile).
Summer:
● Fishing is good, but has its own characteristics: the reservoirs warm up, the fish go to the depths or to shady places, spinning and float gear work well. In June, there can be a lot of mosquitoes and midges — protective equipment is required.
Autumn:
● September — the fish put on fat before winter: good bite of predators (pike, perch), the weather is still comfortable for fishing.
● October — a gradual decrease in activity: the fish move to winter parking, the cold weather makes fishing less predictable.
Konstantin Shikhov: “We mainly fish for trophy pike. I start the season from about mid-July until the end of October, and I determine the beginning of the season based on the water level.”
Dmitry Novikov: "My tour season is from July to November. The season starts on June 1, but pike is caught all year round. In June, there are a lot of midges on the Ob, but I have protective nets and special clothing from sponsors. And in September-October, despite the cold winds, the boats are warm - we are ready for any weather surprises. Clients can fish for 12 hours a day - tested in practice!"
"Wild North" organizes both winter and summer tours to the base. In winter - ice fishing and comfort at the base, in summer - spinning fishing and relaxation surrounded by wild nature.
Fishing gear and tactics
Tour organizers take care of the necessary equipment in advance, knowing the peculiarities of the bite in the area. However, for successful fishing in Yugra, it is important to choose spinning rods with a strong and powerful rod, high-quality hooks and lines, durable reel models with large and deep spools.
What fishermen say:
Dmitry Novikov: “Trophy fishing requires strong gear: leashes no shorter than 40–60 cm, thick lines, high-quality hooks. I provide all of this to clients. You only need to take clothes – we discuss the details a week before arrival. And yes, we photograph and release all the fish we catch – preserving nature for future generations.”
Rules and conservation of resources
In Yugra, there are strict fishing standards, especially for endangered species. Many Yugra fishermen practice the fishing principle of "catch and release" to preserve the population. Fishermen take a memorable photo with the catch and release it into the water.
Wild North Club:
"We always release trophy pike weighing 10 kg or more - this is the future broodstock, which will bring more benefits and caviar than small fish. We carefully photograph all catches and return them to the water."
Before fishing, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia. There is a time when fishing is prohibited. For example, when fish are actively spawning. Then fishing is allowed only with a rod with no more than two hooks. During this period, fishing from boats is prohibited. There is also a daily fish catch limit.
How to organize a trip?
Successful fishing depends not only on the gear, but also on knowledge of local conditions. The best option is to go with an experienced guide who knows the area well and can provide comfort.
Konstantin Shikhov:
"We fish exclusively from a boat - using a jig and steady wiring. There are up to three people in a boat, fishing lasts all daylight hours. Guests are accommodated in trusted hotels that I recommend. I pick them up early in the morning and bring them back in the evening. I provide all the gear and bait - the main thing is to dress properly. By the way, my personal record is a 17 kg pike!"
Dmitry Novikov:
"I meet guests in Nizhnevartovsk, accommodate them in a hotel or apartment, provide transfer and a professional guide. In a group - from 2 to 6 people (2 per boat). The price includes equipment, accommodation, transfer to the fishing spot, a thermos with hot tea, a light snack and even excursions."
"Wild North":
"In addition to organizing fishing, we pay special attention to the arrangement of the base camp: after a hot camp bath, guests can plunge into an ice hole, relax in cozy modular houses and try dishes of real Siberian cuisine."
Contacts of the organizers
Expedition Club "Wild North"
Expeditions in the Urals: author's trips to the taiga and Ural Mountains
You can leave a request or contact the organizers on the website: www.pripolar.ru
Dmitry Novikov
Fishing guide, organizer of trophy tours in the city of Nizhnevartovsk, individual entrepreneur
Contact the guide: vk.com/big_fish_86
Video from fishing: rutube.ru/channel/55983701/
Konstantin Shikhov
Experienced guide for trophy fishing in the vicinity of Khanty-Mansiysk.
Contact the guide: vk.com/rybalkasgidom86