During the winter of 2025 and early 2026, consistently subzero atmospheric temperatures and windless weather contributed to the rapid buildup of ice cover on the reservoirs. The average daily air temperature by mid-January was -20°C, with ice thickness reaching 15 cm in early January and over 30 cm by the end of the month.
At the VDSK reservoirs, eight quota users are harvesting aquatic biological resources in 10 fishing grounds. A total of three field trips have been made this month: one to each reservoir (Varvarovskoye, Bereslavskoye, and Karpovskoye).
The size and weight characteristics of the fish species recorded in the catches were as follows: crucian carp ranged from 23 to 28 cm in body length, with an average weight of 0.510 kg; bream ranged from 27 to 38 cm, with an average weight of 0.680 kg; carp ranged from 40 to 67 cm, with an average weight of 2.1 kg; and pike ranged from 58 to 76 cm, with an average weight of 2.9 kg.
A total of 10 catches were examined, with bream and crucian carp predominating, accounting for over 80% of the total catch. Carp accounted for 12%, while pike and zander were equally represented, each accounting for 6%; freshwater perch and silver carp were occasionally encountered.
It's worth noting that the fishing strategy on the Volga-Don Shipping Canal reservoirs is based on active fishing, primarily during the cold season, using fixed nets with mesh sizes of 60 to 90 mm, which allows for catching large fish.
To save time, effort, and money, and to take into account challenging weather conditions, fishermen use underwater video cameras. Water transparency in winter reaches 5 meters, allowing them to determine the species composition and quantity of fish caught before raising the nets, thereby confirming the feasibility of the operation.
VNIRO Press Service