Freshwater

Lenok (Asian trout)

Lenok (trucha asiática)

Brachymystax lenok

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

12–20 in and 1–3 lb.

Depth

2–12 ft.

Best time

Morning and evening.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A trout-like salmonid with a small, blunt mouth under the snout, a bronze to golden body with scattered round black spots, and orange-red tones on the sides and fins at spawning.
Typical size: 12–20 in and 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 2½ ft and over 10 lb.
Diet: Insects, larvae, small fish and mice.
Behavior: Lives in the same cold rivers as taimen and grayling; rises well to dry flies and is a favorite taimen food.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan. Cold rivers and lakes of Siberia, Mongolia (Khövsgöl and the Eg-Uur and Onon rivers), northern China and Korea.
Habitat: Cold rivers and lakes of Siberia, Mongolia (Khövsgöl and the Eg-Uur and Onon rivers), northern China and Korea.
Depth: 2–12 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface to mid-depth.
Best season: Summer and early autumn (July–September).
Best time: Morning and evening.
Best tides: No tide.
Best weather / conditions: Clear water after the summer floods.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Rarely used.
Best artificial lures: Dry flies, nymphs, small streamers and small spinners.
Tackle setup: 9 ft 5–6 weight fly rod or a light spinning rod.
Hook size: Size 6–12 barbless hooks.
Line: Floating fly line, or 6–8 lb mono.
Leader: 4–6 lb tippet.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Cold rivers and lakes of Siberia, Mongolia (Khövsgöl and the Eg-Uur and Onon rivers), northern China and Korea.
Rig up: 9 ft 5–6 weight fly rod or a light spinning rod. 4–6 lb tippet.
Pick your bait: Rarely used. Lures: Dry flies, nymphs, small streamers and small spinners.
Fish it: Cast dry flies or small streamers along riffles, seams and rocky banks; lenok often rise in groups in the evening.
Time it: Morning and evening. No tide.

Fishing techniques: Cast dry flies or small streamers along riffles, seams and rocky banks; lenok often rise in groups in the evening.
BigJoe's tip: Lenok have soft, small mouths; strike gently.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Good, mild meat, often cooked over the fire at camp where keeping is allowed.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Remote rivers: carry a satellite messenger and a first-aid kit.
Regulations: Catch-and-release rules apply on many Mongolian and Russian taimen rivers; lenok is protected in some regions and in Korea. Check the local permit. Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan require fishing licenses or permits, many rivers are leased to licensed outfitters, and rare fish need special permits. Check current travel advisories and go with a licensed outfitter.
Conservation: Release most lenok on the taimen rivers; they are the taimen's food.

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Sources & photo credits