FAQ about Hunting and Fishing in Mongolia
By Fishing Mongolia
FAQ about fishing in Mongolia
Taimen Conservation in Mongolia
The Hucho taimen is the largest salmonid fish in the world; an exclusively freshwater fish found in Siberia and Mongolia. Now endangered over much of its range, healthy populations can still be found in remote parts of Russia and Mongolia.
It is essential that Taimen caught are returned so that healthy Taimen populations are conserved for the future. Taimen fishing at our camps is strictly catch and release.
The Taimen Conservation Fund is implementing a major conservation and research project on the Eg-Uur River Watershed aimed at creating a sustainable catch and release taimen fishery and establishing a model for taimen conservation in Mongolia.
The fish species found in the Mongolian Rivers
The stream's most famous residents are the gigantic Taimen (Hucho taimen). Taimen are the largest member of the Salmonidae family. The average size of a Taimen is typically 80 - 100 cm (over three feet) and we regularly encounter monsters that approach 150 cm (fifty inches or more). The Taimen weight reaches 10 to 14 lbs. Taimen are an aggressive fish that feed on anything that they can fit in their mouth, from minnows and fry to mature grayling and trout, or even small birds or rodents. The Taimen is an ancient water animal found once from Eastern Europe to Northern Japan. Nowadays healthy populations occur only found in Siberia and Mongolia, is a few pristine river systems only.
Lenok (Brachymstax lenok) are the Mongolian equivalent of a trout. Lenoks are found only in North East Asia. Lenok typically measure over 18 inches (2 to 3 lb) but can grow to over 30 inches in Mongolia. The Lenok spend a majority of their time in shallow water where they are very accessible to our anglers fishing assorted dry flies and terrestrials. These are an exciting sport fish and a good angler may catch twenty or more of these beautiful fish.
Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is another fish from the Salmonidae family. There are plentiful in Mongolia’s waters and there are in fact three sub-species here, depending in which of the 3 Mongolian draining system the Grayling is found. The largest of the graylings in terms of length is the Arctic grayling (T. arcticus arcticus) at a maximum length of 76 cm (30 in) and a maximum weight of 3.8 kg (8.4 lb); other subspecies of the Grayling are typically half this length or less.
Fishing Equipment used in Mongolia
The Taimen is fished with both floating and sinking lines, but floating lines are preferred. Streamers fished with a sink-tip line are also effective, especially in the deep pools. For Taimen fishing we recommend a 9 ft rod for 8 or 9 wt lines, but salmon fishermen may prefer a 15 ft 10 wt rod. Large flies are needed to tease the taimen effectively. Flies in size starting at size of hook 10 up. A simple mouse-pattern fly can bring Taimen to the surface.
The Lenok and the Grayling is fished with a light rod of 8 ft, 4 to 6 weight rod, floating line and a selection of dries, nymphs and streamers. Spin-lure anglers are welcome and can achieve some great catches; fly-fishermen might consider bringing a spinning or bait-casting rod as back-up. For spinning you'll need a 6-7 foot rod casting 5-15 grams 5-7 lbs line and a selection of spinners, wobblers and spoons as for trout fishing.
Fishing Season in Mongolia
Spring fishing season begins in end of May and end of June when the winter is over and rivers are at their lowest. Early spring is an idyllic time of year when the fishing is excellent and the hillsides are carpeted with alpine flowers.
July and August are the rainy seasons in Mongolia and thus not the ideal time for fishing. However, giant Taimen may be fished throughout the season until early/mid-October. Thereafter temperatures plummet.
The autumn fishing season starts from end of August till October 20th. During this period, there is no rain and water is usually transparent and at a low level, enabling the best catch.
Activities for non-fishers
For the non-fishers we offer a variety of activities such as horse riding, trekking, photography, bird-watching and an experience of Mongolian nomadic culture at firsthand. We will be invited inside Mongolian gers to participate in a ritual of hospitality and in the day to day management of a nomadic family.
Fishing Permission and Licensing in Mongolia
Foreigners travelling to Mongolia can not just pitch up and go fishing. All foreign fisherman needs a fishing permit. Permits are obtained from national park administration offices or from the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment. As getting permits is a time consuming duty, we will arrange all your fishing permits before you arrive in Mongolia.
FAQ about hunting in Mongolia
Altai Argali
The Altai Argali (Ovis ammon ammon) is the biggest wild sheep in the world and without any doubt the Altai Argali is the most beautiful and most impressive of all wild sheep. The Altai Argali trophy is the crown jewel of Sheep Hunters. The Altai Argali is found on the heights of the Altai mountain range of Western Mongolia.
The Altai Argali has the largest and most massive horns, when fully developed will form more than a complete circle. The longest horns ever measured reach 71-3/4 inches (182.2 cm). Horns and skull, without the lower jaw, can weigh as much as 75 pounds (34 kg).
Khangai Argali
The Hangay Argali (Ovis ammon mongolica) can be found in the mountaisouth-western part of Khangai mountains, located in Central Mongolia. The Khangai Argali is smaller than the Altai Argali, but larger than the that the Goni Argali, more or less in the middle both body. The average trophy size is 40 to 50 inches.
Gobi Argali
The Gobi Argali (Ovis ammon darwini) are found in mountain ranges of the Gobi desert in the south and south-western Mongolia and the middle and eastern parts of the Gobi. The Gobi Argali is the smallest of the wild sheep. It is considered to b ethe Argali with the most twisted horns in the world. Length of horns varies from 45 to 55.
Altai Ibex
The best value in ibex hunting is in the Altai Ibex (Capra sibirica sibirica). Historically, the largest ibex in Mongolia, is found in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia. Most Altai Ibex are in the range of 40 - 45" in length over the curve. Their trophies reaching sometimes the record size of 50".
Gobi Ibex
The Gobi Ibex (Capra sibirica hagenbecki) is scattered through a number separate mountain ranges in south and south western Mongolia that form the Gobi Altai section of the great Altai mountain chain. Most Gobi Ibex are in the range of 35 - 40 " in length over the curve.
Gazelle
The Black Tailed Gazelle can be found in the Trans-Altai deserts and in the south Gobi desert. The Black Tailed Gazelle is smaller than the White Tailed Gazelle. Their trophies reach 10 to 15 inches.
The White Tailed Gazelle can be found in the Southern and Eastern plains of Mongolia. They graze in large herds numbering several hundreds. White gazelles change their habitat with the seasons. Their trophies reach 8 to 12 inches. Larger that the Black tailed Gazelle, the white tailed gazelle has smaller horns than the Black tailed Gazelle.
Hunting Permission and Licensing in Mongolia
Hunting in Mongolia is subject to very though and strict regulations. A foreigner hunting in Mongolia will need a hunting permission issued by the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment. For Argali, the annual number of licenses is limited to 40 a year. The requests for the licenses, particularly for the Altai Argali, sometimes need to be made 2-3 years in advance. We need to fix your hunting permissions well in advance.
Hunting season
Hunting is allowed in Mongolia from end of July until end of October. Hunting period for the different big games might change. Each year we have to check with the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment
Other FAQ about Mongolia
Suggested clothing
- Hiking boots (waterproof)
- Polypropylene long underwear and downshirts
- Cotton and wool socks
- Wool or poly fingerless gloves
- Warm sweater, fleece or flanel shirts
- Fishing jacket and windbreaker/rain jacket
- Fishing and camp trousers
- Knitted stocking cap or fishing hat
- Warm coat (down-filled) for later Sept./Oct. weeks
Miscellaneous
- First aid kit and personal
medicaments
- Camera, flash light and plenty of films (film is not available at
camps or countryside)
- Water purification tablets
- Mosquito repellent
- Sleeping bag
- A battery operated razor or blade razor
- Face cloth, toilet kit, bath towel
- Sun protection
- A waterproof bag for snacks, clothing, extra tackle or camera
- Alcoholic beverage (possible to buy in UB)
Fishing
- 3-5 weight for lenok (take
floating line only)
- 8-12 weight for Taimen, take floating, sinking tip and sinking lures
- Long waders (Gore-Tex or neoprene)
- One pair felt-soled wading boots
- Hook file, line nippers and needle nose pliers (for debarbing hooks
and releasing Taimen)
- Assorted dry fly flotant
- Split shot
- Indicator yarn/strike indicator
- Polarized glasses
- Fly rods (better one more then you calculate as fish are large)
- Floating lure
- Flies: Hoppers, cricket patterns, caddis, assorted attractor dries,
large wooly buggers,
bunny patterns, mice patterns.
Is this country safe?
Politically the country is very stable. An elected President and parliament is at the head of the country’s management. Administratively, if you meet your visa requirements, no other hassle will be experienced. Policemen are helpful to foreigners and no street violence exists. No natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods were registered recently. The only problem you might encounter is a drunken Mongolian who at night starts relating you his life stories in Mongolian language.
The country and its people!
Mongolia is a huge country with a population density close to 1 person a square kilometre. Mongolian landscape diversity is impressive. It goes from the mirror flat Gobi Desert to the high with snow capped Altai mountain pikes, passing by the with forest covered rolling hills of Central Mongolia. The nature is unique, unexplored and has a rich biodiversity. People are as diverse. Khalkh people in majority, they coexisting with Buriat, Kazak and many others minorities. They all live in the respect of their traditional culture. All of Mongolians have an incomparable hospitality.Mongolia makes you delighted!
The weather!
Being far from any ocean influence, Mongolia has a very continental climate. The summers are pleasantly warm, the winters are freezing cold. The touristy months are from May to October. Winter tourism is now slowly taking off. Mongolia is also known as the land of the bleu sky. With over 280 sunny days a year, very little rain is to be expected during your stay in Mongolia. Hovsgol region in the month of August is however a little rainy.
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