Kyrgyzstan is a true treasure for fishing enthusiasts. Our small country boasts 923 lakes and over 3,500 rivers and streams. Fishing in Kyrgyzstan is not only a pleasure but also a great opportunity to escape the urban hustle and bustle, to be alone with nature while enjoying its beautiful autumn landscapes. To ensure that fishing becomes a pleasant adventure and does not turn into a bitter disappointment, it is essential to know the rules of sport and amateur fishing. The leading specialist of the Fish Supervision and Operational Work Department of the State Ecological Control of the Kyrgyz Republic, Rysbek Abdrayimov, told us about the features of fishing in Kyrgyzstan.
- What is the state of our fishing industry?
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, fish stocking (annual release of fry into rivers and water bodies) has been conducted at the lowest level due to a lack of funding, and this practically does not happen. Therefore, the situation is better in private water bodies – those that have been purchased or leased.
When does our fishing season start? And what is good about autumn fishing?
The mountain fishing season begins in April and lasts until October. Autumn fishing has its advantages – on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, there is a good catch of rainbow trout. In general, this fish can be caught there year-round, but now is the most favorable time because during the pre-spawning period, the fish come very close to the shore, and the individuals are quite large – up to 7 kg. Many species of fish go into fattening in autumn, meaning the fish are currently fatty and tasty. In winter, we have good ice fishing in the Tyup Bay of Lake Issyk-Kul – from December to March, they catch bream and pike perch.
- Tell us about the types of fish that inhabit our lakes and rivers.
In mountain rivers, there are Amudarya (Kyzylsuu) trout, river osman, and several species of marinka. In lakes and water bodies – carp, common carp, Balkhash perch, pike, snakehead, redfin, Aral roach, and silver crucian carp.
- In which water bodies can one catch large fish species, for example, catfish? (Catfish kebab is the tastiest thing!)
For lovers of delicious fish, I can recommend Toktogul carp and common carp, and on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul – rainbow trout. Bishkek residents can enjoy the Ala-Archa Reservoir, where large carp and white amur can be found, but it depends on luck. As for catfish, it is an exclusively predatory fish; it used to inhabit the Chu River, but due to river pollution, it disappeared and now lives in the lower reaches, that is, in Kazakhstan. From fishing enthusiasts, I have heard that catfish can be found in the "Spartak" reservoir, but in very small quantities.
- Are there pike and pike perch in our waters? What do you recommend for crayfish lovers?
Pike perch is mainly found in Issyk-Kul, but this population is currently being reduced due to the threat to endemic fish species, as pike perch is called the "lake wolf." Pike can be caught in "Spartak." We have almost no crayfish, except for the Ala-Archa Reservoir, where there are a few. However, in Toktogul, shrimp are found, but their species has not yet been identified. The narrow-clawed crayfish inhabits the south of Kyrgyzstan, where its population is larger.
- What is the level of radioactive background in our water bodies? How ecologically safe is our fish?
There is no radioactive background in our lakes and rivers; all our fish are ecologically clean. There are also no dangerous zones where fishing is prohibited. To this day, we have not recorded cases of fish mutation or poisoning of people by fresh fish from our water bodies. We are not responsible for imported fish from Kazakhstan and Russia.
- What prohibitions are currently in place in fishing?
On January 10, 2008, by decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, a moratorium was introduced for 5 years on the lakes Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul due to the reduction of the population of vendace, sig, chebak, chebachok, Issyk-Kul naked osman, Issyk-Kul marinka, and others. Regardless of the season, this ban is in effect permanently for commercial fishing. Amateur fishing is only prohibited for pike perch, eastern bream, and rainbow trout.
- Do you need to have any permits to avoid turning fishing into a headache?
If you decide to fish, private water body owners provide permission for a fee, and for catching trout and osman in other water bodies, you need to obtain permission from the Hunting and Fishing Union or the State Agency for Environmental Protection for a small fee. With such permission, you can fish peacefully. For members of the Kyrgyz Hunting and Fishing Union, there are designated water bodies.
- What fishing gear is allowed for us when catching fish?
For amateur fishing, rods, spinning rods, fly fishing, vertical jigs, no more than 5 floaters and tip-ups per angler, boats, and trolling without using motorboats, underwater guns or pistols only of factory manufacture are allowed. Each angler is allowed no more than 10 hooks regardless of the number of rods. The daily catch limit is no more than 5 kg per angler. Exceeding the weight of one fish over 5 kg is not considered a violation. That is, if your catch is a fish weighing 6 or 7 kg, you can take it home without worry. But if you catch several large fish, it is better to make fish soup or grill kebabs and eat them to avoid confiscation of the catch. Fishing is strictly prohibited in any water body during spawning. It is forbidden to catch fish throughout the year using traps, nets, electric current, seine nets, explosives, or poisonous substances, and electric fishing rods.
- What punishment awaits fishing enthusiasts in case of violation of established rules or the moratorium?
Depending on the violation, there are administrative and criminal penalties. For using prohibited gear, penalties range from fines to imprisonment. Fines range from 100 soms to significant amounts, depending on the quantity of caught fish. We have many administrative penalties, while criminal penalties have so far been applied exclusively to hardened poachers.
- Your wishes to fishing enthusiasts.
To ensure that your fishing is successful, do not break the law, do not litter the places where you fish, take your trash with you, do not light fires in unauthorized places, do not cut down green plantings, and under no circumstances wash cars near water bodies or rivers. By doing this, you kill the fish you love to catch. Fish are delicate creatures of nature, and some valuable populations are very difficult and take a long time to restore. Cherish and appreciate the beauty generously bestowed upon you.
I wish you only pleasant impressions, successful catches, and stories to tell your friends, family, and children.
Interviewed by Aliya Abdullina