Lake Nerpichye is one of the largest nursery and spawning grounds for Asian smelt in Kamchatka Krai. Maturing fish begin entering the lake to feed in the second half of December. Feeding migrations continue throughout the winter and the first half of spring. Smelt spawn in April and May. It is during the winter and spring period, when significant nursery aggregations form in the lakes, that large-scale recreational ice fishing takes place. During the 2025 season, average daily catches of this species were low, with only a few smelt caught on certain days. Local residents also reported small catches to branch staff.
During the scientific expedition (January 27 – February 14), smelt catches in Lake Nerpichye per angler ranged from 20–25 specimens, and the number of recreational fishermen ranged from 10 to 70. Thus, daily catches ranged from 39 to 105 kg of medium-sized smelt (approximately 60 grams). According to experts, a general trend toward a decrease in Asian smelt catches on the eastern coast of Kamchatka has been observed in recent years.
The main objective of the branch's scientific team's expedition was to collect biostatistical data on the Asian smelt Osmerus dentex and conduct test fishing in the lake using standard station arrangements and fishing gear. Each smelt specimen underwent a full biological analysis, during which data on body length and weight, sex, maturity stage, and age were recorded. The necessary data has been collected and transferred to the branch's salmon laboratory for further processing. The resulting materials will be used to prepare scientific recommendations and expand the long-term observation database.
A comparative analysis of the size, age, and sex composition of Asian smelt over the past 10 years has shown that its stock on the east coast of Kamchatka is in satisfactory condition. The age structure of smelt in Lake Nerpichye has not deviated from the long-term average this year, with fish aged 3 and 4 years remaining the dominant groups.
Smelt is a migratory fish species characterized by feeding and spawning migrations, including quite extensive ones. In winter, it feeds and can move in search of food, not concentrating in traditional fishing grounds. Thus, the interannual variability in catches can be explained by the spatial and temporal distribution of the fish during their winter feeding migrations.
Press service of VNIRO