Fly Fishing Mongolia
While the Amur Trout, or Blunt Snouted Lenok is the only fish species in Mongolia openly referred to as a trout, there are several other members of the Salmonid family that call the waters of Mongolia home. Two Lenok species, the forementioned Blunt Snouted Lenok, and its close relative, the Sharp Snouted Lenok can be found in several drainage basins in the central and eastern part of the country. A diversity of Grayling species can be found throughout Mongolia, occupying different drainages and often different life histories in their home waters. And lastly, the salmonid that attracts anglers from around the world to the Mongolian Steppe is the Siberian Taimen.
Siberian Taimen of Mongolia
Siberian Taimen of Mongolia
The Siberian Taimen can be found throughout much of southern and Eastern Russia as well as in the many rivers of the Mongolian Steppe. They can be found in all of the major river basins such as the Onon River of Eastern Mongolia, Shishged River, Murun River, and Selenge River of Northern Mongolia, and Chuluut River of central Mongolia, as well as their tributaries. The largest Taimen are often found in the remote stretches of the larger river systems where food is more abundant, but meter long fish can also be found higher in the watersheds. These rivers wind through forested canyons, barren steppe, and alluvial plains. Though the rivers often run shallow and wide, the water is quick. The largest taimen are often lethargic, occupying deeper bends, eddies, and log jams until they are ready for a meal.
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Their diets mainly consist of grayling, lenok, and other small fishes of the river. They are not afraid to indulge in the abundant hoppers and other insects that make their way on to the surface during low water periods. Their opportunistic nature can also put the stray field mouse or duckling on the menu as well. Sinking lines and lazy streamers crawled along the bottom are the best option for finding success when targeting these apex predators.
Blunt Snouted Lenok of Mongolia
Amur Trout of Mongolia
The Amur Trout, or Blunt Snouted Lenok (Brachymystax tumensis), can only be found in the easternmost drainages of the country. The Onon River is the largest of the watersheds and a direct tributary of the Amur River in Russia. These lenok often exceed 20" in size with 24" specimens showing up regularly. Everything is on the menu for the Amur Trout as they try to grow during the warmer months. Nymphs, Dry fies, big streamers, and mouse patterns are all in play. While smaller lenok may stack up in groups, larger individuals are often more solitary. These fish can be found in the smallest of tributaries to the larger sections of river.
Sharp Snouted Lenok of Mongolia
Mongolian Sharp Snouted Lenok
Don't let their smaller, ventrally oriented mouth fool you, the Sharp Snouted Lenok, Brachymystax lenok, are aggressive eaters much like their Amur Trout cousins. While their underbite is similar to that of the grayling which predominately feeds on smaller insects, these lenok will not hesitate to crush a larger streamer that crosses their path. Their body shapes are often more elongated than the Amur Trout which are more dense. While both of these lenok can exceed 30" , the sharp snouted lenok are often a bit smaller. When targeting these lenok, it is good to know they are rarely alone, and are often found in groups.
Sharp snouted lenok are found in all of the major watersheds of Mongolia, the Chuluut, Selenge, Shishged, and Onon Rivers.
Grayling of Mongolia
Mongolia has the largest diversity of grayling species in the world alongside Russia. Four species can be found within its borders including the Arctic Grayling, Siberian Grayling, Mongolian Grayling and Amur Grayling. These species are all found in different watersheds across the country.
The Arctic Grayling has the largest distribution of any grayling species around the world. In Mongolia, it is limited to a handful of rivers in the central and northern part of the country.
Arctic Grayling of Mongolia
Mongolian Grayling
Amur Grayling of Mongolia
The Siberian Grayling can be found in the Shishged River basin which flows northward into central Siberia. It is the most brightly colored of Mongolia's Grayling.
Siberian Grayling of Mongolia
The Mongolian Grayling is likely the largest species of Grayling in the world. These Grayling occupy 3 lakes and their connecting rivers of western Mongolia near the Kazakh border. These predatory grayling feed on both insects and other fishes. The largest individuals regularly exceed 24" in length.
While the Mongolian Grayling may be the largest in the world, the Amur Grayling of eastern Mongolia is one of the smallest grayling species. Found in the headwaters of the Onon River, a larger tributary of the Amur River in Russia, these grayling don't often exceed 12" in length. While they can be found in the larger sections of river, they often prefer smaller tributaries and backwater channels.
Fishing Seasons of Mongolia
Heavy Frost on Early September Morning in Northern Mongolia
Mongolia's fishing season begins as early as May when the rivers and countryside dethaw. Before runoff begins, rivers are often low and fishable. Runoff will begin toward the end of the month and last until early June. This process can differ on individual watershed based on elevation and weather patterns. Often there are different opportunities available for anglers across the country from May through October.
Late Spring and early Summer rains tend to subside by July and water levels begin to fall creating some of the best fishing of the year come August. August and September see the best conditions with amicable air temperatures and low water creating the perfect conditions to target big fish. Some areas may see additional rainfall during the late summer and early fall which can bring water levels up making the fishing more difficult. However, these conditions can be avoided by visiting different regions that have seen drier weather. By late September and early October, the cold air begins to creep down from Siberia. While the subfreezing temperatures make things tougher for some visitors, the fish will be feeding heavily ahead of the winter doldrums. Dedicated anglers can take advantage of these conditions to find the last few trophy fish of the year.
Gunba (left) of GB Tours Mongolia
Mongolian law requires visiting anglers to be accompanied by a guide when fishing the many rivers of the country. Though this policy may ruin the plans of some DIY anglers, it is likely for the best as many of the best rivers for fishing are located in extremely rural areas where knowledge of the terrain, weather patterns, and river conditions are invaluable. Gunba of GB Tours guides fishing trips across Mongolia. He is familiar with all of the major rivers and an expert at finding trophy fish for his traveling companions. Though catching the fish of a lifetime is important to all of his clients, he keeps a close eye on safety and getting folks back in one piece which can be made difficult by the unforgiving terrain and eratic weather. Alongside fishing, Gunba enjoys educating visitors on the local wildlife and history of Mongolia.
Learn more about the trout species of the planet in our articles on Trout, Salmon, and Char of the World, Trout Fishing Morocco, Trout Fishing Turkey, Trout Fishing Ireland, Trout Species of Patagonia, Trout Species of Southern Europe, and Trout of North America. Our detailed articles on What Do Trout Eat, Fly Fishing a Hatch, and Fly Fishing Streamers will give you a great idea on how to target each of these species.
