Taimen Fishing in Siberia: Status, Rules and Catch and Release

For many anglers the taimen is the reason to travel to a Siberian river. It is a large, slow-growing predator, so it raises many questions: can you fish for it, what does the law say and how do you avoid harming the fish.

Short answerThe federal list of the Russian Red Data Book (Ministry of Natural Resources Order No. 162 of 24 March 2020) includes specific populations of the common taimen: European Russia, Western Siberia and the Angara basin with Lake Baikal. Yenisei basin populations are not named on that list. Rivers in Krasnoyarsk Krai fall under the fishing rules for the West Siberian fishery basin and regional restrictions. On our expedition taimen is strictly catch and release, no exceptions.

Dikiy Farvater editorial team. Based on the organiser's information and public sources.

What the Red Data Book status means

In the 2020 list the common taimen (Hucho taimen) is placed in category 1, endangered. The status does not cover the whole species, only the listed populations: European Russia, Western Siberia (except the Altai Republic and the Tom river in Kemerovo Oblast) and the Angara basin including Lake Baikal. Sakhalin taimen is treated as a separate species with its own entry.

The rivers of Evenkia belong to the Yenisei basin, and those populations are not named on the federal list. That does not mean the fish needs no protection here: taimen grow slowly, and a big fish holds a long stretch of river on its own.

Which rules apply

Waters in Krasnoyarsk Krai belong to the Yenisei fishery district, which is governed by the fishing rules for the West Siberian fishery basin (Ministry of Agriculture Order No. 646 of 30 October 2020). They set closed seasons, permitted gear, minimum sizes and limits. Krasnoyarsk Krai also keeps its own regional Red Data Book. Rules change, so check the current version before the season.

Our rule: catch and release only

Whatever the law allows on a given stretch, on a Dikiy Farvater expedition no taimen is kept. It is photographed at the water and released. That way the fish worth coming back for stays in the river.

How to release a taimen so it survives

Barbless hooks or flattened barbs; on big lures a single hook instead of trebles
Play the fish firmly and do not drag out the fight: an exhausted fish recovers slowly
A rubber-mesh net, and keep the fish in the water as much as possible
Wet hands, no cloth gloves; never grip the gills or squeeze the belly
A photo in seconds: have everything ready, keep the fish low over the water and level
When releasing, hold the taimen head into the current until it swims off on its own

Tackle for taimen

Taimen hit big lures: mouse patterns, plugs, large spoons and streamers. You need a rod with power in reserve, strong braid and a reliable leader. The organiser sends the exact list for the river and season with the programme.

The 2027 expedition: departs 5 July, 7 days, 300,000 RUB. Route, boats, camp and what the price includes, all in one PDF.

Programme as a PDF Talk to the organiser

FAQ

Can I keep a taimen on the expedition?

No. On the expedition taimen is strictly catch and release.

Is a taimen guaranteed?

No. It is a large, wary predator and the catch depends on water and weather. The guides know the river and take the boat where fish are likely to hold.

Sources