The Irtysh, a majestic river crossing vast territories, is not only a source of drinking water and a transport route, but also home to many aquatic inhabitants, among which crayfish occupy a special place. Catching crayfish on the Irtysh is an exciting activity that requires the fisherman not only patience, but also a deep knowledge of the habits of these arthropods, as well as the characteristics of the river itself in its different sections. Unlike fishing, hunting for crayfish has its own specifics associated with their nocturnal lifestyle and preference for certain types of bottom.
Many novice spearfishing enthusiasts mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply throw a crayfish trap with a piece of meat, and success is guaranteed. However, reality makes its own adjustments: the course of the Irtysh, its depths, the composition of the bottom soil and even the time of year play a decisive role in the success of the event. In order for your kukan to be full by morning, you need to carefully prepare, choose the right strategy and, of course, know where exactly along hundreds of kilometers of the river the crayfish is found.
In this article we will examine in detail all aspects of catching crayfish on the Irtysh, from the choice of gear to legal subtleties that are often overlooked. You'll learn which parts of the river are richest in crayfish, how current speed affects the effectiveness of traps, and why the smell of bait spreads differently in cold water. Get ready to plunge into the world of night fishing, where the silence is broken only by the splash of water and the characteristic sound of a slamming net.
The best places for catching crayfish on the Irtysh River
Choosing a location is the foundation for successful fishing, especially on such a long and varied river as Irtysh. Crayfish are conservative creatures and are attached to certain biotopes, so you need to look for them where there are conditions for their life. First of all, attention should be paid to areas with a rocky or clay bottom, where crayfish can find shelter in the form of stones, snags or washed-out banks. Crayfish avoid sandy bottoms, especially clean and mobile ones, since they cannot build a reliable burrow there.
Particularly noteworthy are the confluences of tributaries, oxbow lakes and backwaters, where the current is weaker and the water warms up better. It is in such areas, for example, in the vicinity of Tobolsk or in the lower reaches near Omsk, that entire colonies are often found. Depth also matters: most often crayfish are caught at depths of 1.5 to 3 meters, although on hot days they can go deeper and come out into shallow water at night.
⚠️ Attention: Look for places with steep banks. It is under the overhanging roots of trees and in the niches of clay cliffs washed away by water that crayfish feel most safe.
It is also important to take into account the anthropogenic factor. Near large cities and industrial zones, the crayfish population may be depressed due to water pollution, so it makes sense to move away from civilization. Water purity is a critical parameter: crayfish do not live long in muddy, silt-saturated water. Therefore, the upper and middle reaches of the Irtysh, where the water is clearer, often turn out to be more productive than the lower sections that carry wastewater from large industrial centers.
Seasonality and time of day for fishing
The behavior of crayfish directly depends on the water temperature and time of year. Fishing season opens as soon as the water warms up to 10-12 degrees, which on the Irtysh usually happens in late May or early June. However, the largest trophies are most often caught in late summer and early autumn, when crayfish eat off before wintering and become more active in search of food.
Time of day is another critical factor. Cancers are typical nocturnal predators and scavengers. During the day they hide in holes or under stones, being active only in cloudy weather or in muddy water. It makes sense to start installing gear in the late afternoon, checking it early in the morning. At night, when the noise and vibrations from passing ships subsides, crayfish go out hunting, relying on their sense of smell.
- 🌙 Twilight: It's time for activity to begin; crayfish begin to crawl out of their shelters.
- 🌑 Deep night: Peak activity is when crayfish are most aggressive in searching for food.
- 🌅 Dawn: Last chance to catch the crayfish before it hides for the day.
Winter fishing is also possible, but it requires completely different approaches and equipment. Under the ice, crayfish are less mobile, but continue to feed. However, due to difficulties of access and legal restrictions in winter, fishing is often prohibited or impractical for an amateur. In summer, on hot nights, when the water is warm, catches are usually maximum.
Why aren't crayfish caught during the day?
Cancers have excellent vision, but are afraid of bright light and sudden movements. During the day, their activity is suppressed by the need to hide from predators, which include large fish, birds, and humans. At night, they feel like masters of the bottom.
Selection of gear: crayfish and their features
For fishing on the Irtysh, various types are considered the most effective crayfish traps. The design of the gear depends on the fishing conditions: the strength of the current, the type of bank and the depth. On the fast flow of the Irtysh, simple open horns may be less effective, since the crayfish, having grabbed the bait, can simply crawl away with it without touching the slamming mechanism. Therefore, it is preferable to use closed structures.
The most popular are shell-umbrellas (or "spiders") and shell-inkwells. Umbrellas are a folding frame covered with a net that sinks to the bottom. Inkwells are more complex structures with an entrance from which it is difficult for the cancer to escape. On the strong current of the Irtysh, it is important that the tackle is heavy and stable, otherwise it will simply be carried away by the flow of water.
| Type of shell | Application on the Irtysh | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open horn | Bays, calm water | Simplicity, cheapness | Crayfish can crawl away with bait |
| Closed inkwell | Main channel, current | Cancer can't go away | More difficult to load the bait |
| bottom muzzle | Deep holes | Large catch volume | Bulky, difficult to install |
When choosing gear, pay attention to the mesh size of the net. The optimal size is 10-12 mm. A smaller cell creates unnecessary resistance to water and quickly becomes overgrown with mud, while a larger cell can allow small but valuable individuals to escape. The material is also important: synthetic fishing line or nylon thread is preferable to cotton, which quickly rots in water.
On the fast flow of the Irtysh, use only heavy, closed crayfish traps with reliable fastening of the bait inside, so that the current does not wash out the smell and carry away the tackle itself.
The best baits for crayfish
Crayfish are omnivores, but their gastronomic preferences change depending on the season and the availability of food. The basis of their diet in nature consists of bottom organisms, carrion and vegetation. However, for traps, products with a strong, specific odor that spreads well in the water work best. Fresh fish (roach, perch, crucian carp) is considered a classic and most catchy bait.
The meat is also a hit. Beef, chicken, offal (liver, lungs) - all this can be an excellent bait. Experienced crayfish fishermen advise lightly drying the meat in the sun or even frying it to enhance the flavor. On the Irtysh, where the water often has a distinctive taste and turbidity, using strong-smelling baits such as garlic or fried bread crust can provide a decisive advantage.
- 🐟 Fish: It is better if it is slightly rotten or cut to enhance the smell.
- 🥩 Meat: Beef or chicken, preferably rare.
- 🥖 Bread: Brown bread with garlic or dill, often mixed with cake.
It is important to properly secure the bait in the crayfish trap. If you use fish, it is better to cut it down to the bone or even pierce it so that the smell spreads more intensely. The meat can be wrapped in gauze so that the crayfish does not steal the piece, but is forced to fiddle with it inside the trap, increasing its chances of being caught. Vegetable baits, such as peas or corn, work less well, but during periods of mass insect emergence they can become the main food.
Fishing technique and installation of gear
The process of installing crayfish traps on the Irtysh requires care and understanding of the hydrodynamics of the river. The tackle cannot simply be thrown into the water; it must be installed so that the entrance to the trap is oriented with the current or perpendicular to it, but not against the current, otherwise the smell of the bait will go up the river and not spread down where the crayfish are located. Anchoring - a critical point.
On the fast current of the Irtysh, light crayfish can be carried away. For weighting, stones tied to the frame or special weights are used. The distance between the tackles should be at least 5-10 meters, so as not to create competition between traps and not to tangle the ropes. If you are fishing from a boat, use buoys to mark the location.
⚠️ Attention: Never place clamshells on the fairway of shipping routes. In addition to the risk of being crushed by ships' propellers, you risk serious fines for obstructing navigation.
You should check your gear in the morning, before sunrise. If you leave the crayfish during the day, there is a high risk that fish (for example, catfish or large perches) will be interested in the prey, which can eat the bait along with the caught crayfish or simply break the net. In addition, in hot weather, a crayfish in a trap without water (if pulled ashore) quickly dies, and in warm water it can suffocate if the trap is overfilled.
☑️ Preparing for night fishing
Legislation and rules for catching crayfish
Crayfish fishing in Russia is regulated by fishing rules for the relevant fisheries basins. The Ob-Irtysh basin has its own rules, violation of which entails administrative and even criminal liability. First of all, you need to know the timing of the ban. Typically, catching crayfish is prohibited during the period of their molting and reproduction, which often falls in the autumn months (October-November) or spring.
There are also restrictions on the size of prey caught. Minimum size The crayfish allowed to be harvested is usually 9-10 cm (measured from the middle of the eye to the end of the tail plasty). Small crayfish must be released back into the water alive. The number of gear per angler is also limited - usually no more than 3-5 pieces, although the numbers may vary in different regions.
It is important to remember that the use of certain types of gear is prohibited. For example, fishing with crayfish nets (screens) of large size can be equated to poaching if they are not registered. Always carry documentation to prove the legality of your gear if it is subject to registration, and know the rules of the specific region where you plan to fish.
Before going to the Irtysh, be sure to check the current fishing rules for the current year with the local fisheries protection agency, as prohibitions may change depending on the environmental situation.
Is it possible to catch crayfish with your hands?
Catching crayfish by hand (diving) is permitted, but only during the permitted fishing time and subject to size restrictions. However, on the deep and fast Irtysh this method is dangerous and ineffective without special equipment.
What to do if cancer pinches your finger?
Do not jerk your hand sharply - the claws have teeth and can hurt more. Place your hand with the crayfish in the water - it will instinctively open its claw so as not to drown. Or gently touch the antennae or the back of the shell.
Why do crayfish sometimes come across empty (molting)?
This occurs during the molting period, when the cancer sheds its old shell. The new shell is still soft, and the cancer hides. Such crayfish (“cream”) are very valuable, but catching them during the period of mass molting is often prohibited by the rules.
How to store caught crayfish before cooking?
It is best to keep crayfish in a cool place, in a basket or box, surrounded by nettles or wet grass. They are stored worse in water, as they quickly consume oxygen and can die if there are too many of them in one bucket.