The Voronezh region is famous for its fishing. On its territory there are about 3,000 freshwater lakes, and the number of rivers exceeds this value. The presence of a large amount of water resources makes the area attractive for lovers of active recreation and fishing.
Many places that are completely open to fans of free and paid fishing will always delight you with rich catches. And many fishing spots can be found not far from Voronezh itself, which the locals really like. For comfortable fishing, you don’t need to travel far from home.
What kind of fish is found in the Voronezh region
Fish species familiar to central Russia often delight fishermen in the Voronezh region. The catches here are rich, and the fish are quite large, so hardly anyone will be bored. The fisherman’s main task is only to choose the right place for fishing and prepare suitable gear. If you do everything correctly, your catch may include:
- Bream;
- Catfish;
- Biryuk;
- Chub;
- Bleak;
- crucian carp;
- Carp;
- Rudd;
- Perch;
- Roach;
- Carp;
- Pike.
As can be seen from the list, the species composition is quite wide, so any fisherman will be able to find entertainment on the shore of a reservoir. It doesn’t matter whether you like fishing with a float rod, fishing with a donkey or a feeder, or prefer to hunt predators with a spinning rod - there will always be something for you to do.
A bunch of problems
In the early 90s, the city sanitary service raised the alarm - the Voronezh Sea does not meet safety requirements, swimming is not recommended, and there are many harmful substances in the water. Research has shown changes in average water temperatures – they have become higher, which also contributed to active “blooming”. Pollution developed according to the snowball principle - flowering affected the flow, stagnation of water stimulated flowering.
Blooming of the Voronezh reservoir in summer
Some industrial enterprises in Voronezh could not withstand the multi-year crisis of the “wild 90s”; others repurposed their production. So the volume of industrial water consumption has decreased by 3 times. Water intake for the needs of domestic water supply and agriculture has become very small, however, the depth of the Voronezh reservoir and its area have decreased since construction, and quite significantly, many new shoals have appeared.
It was obvious that something needed to be done to prevent the reservoir from becoming a useful and beautiful reservoir into a complete problem and a breeding ground for infection. But it was no less obvious that this would require a lot of time and money.
Map of fishing spots
The Don is undoubtedly the main water artery of the region, not only of Voronezh, but also of many neighboring ones. The diverse species composition of fish that inhabits the Don simply stuns some fishermen. More than 30 species of fish living in the river in the Voronezh region have been officially recorded and confirmed.
Pike, perch, pike perch, catfish, rudd, bream and carp are the most common fish in the reservoir.
Almost every fisherman dreams of catching Don pike perch, including local residents who do not refuse such a trophy. They catch it in the morning, but unlike other predatory fish, it can also be caught well in the dark. Summer fishing for pike perch with an overnight stay is common among local fishermen.
The Voronezh River is famous among local fishermen for its large number of pike, and its size is quite impressive. Catfish and pike perch are caught less often, but their population is less than that of the toothy predator. Jig and wobbler fishing predominate in this reservoir. Local fishermen fish with plastic baits in the shallows, and silicone fish are used for fishing in the depths.
Local spinning fishing enthusiasts often go to the Usmanka River in search of predatory fish. Ideal conditions for hiding a predator are created by banks overgrown with reeds, as well as hanging branches of trees, under which pike and perch most often hide.
Pike fishing spots in Voronezh and the Voronezh region.
The Voronezh region is very rich in reservoirs. Many rivers flow through it, and there are also countless lakes, where, of course, such a predator as pike lives in very large numbers. I would like to briefly talk about some of them.
Pike fishing on the Don River.
The Don River is the largest water artery of Voronezh and the Voronezh region. There is a huge amount of fish here and it is very diverse. Its channel is very winding, there are a lot of rifts, turns of the channel, and slopes on the right bank of the Don. Here pike are caught throughout the season and in some places you can come across some very good specimens.
Pike fishing on the Voronezh River.
Another fairly large waterway is the Voronezh River, on which the city itself is founded. There is also quite a lot of this predator here. Good places for fishing in the Chertovitskoye area. Pike take well in the oiler in the area of the dam; in the Voronezh Reservoir you come across some very serious specimens that can please any angler.
Pike fishing on the Usmanka River Voronezh.
There are also very promising places on the Usmanka River. Here you can catch pike in the Somovo, Borovoye, Sosnovy Bor and Kozhevenny Kardon areas. The river is very winding and there is a lot of vegetation along the banks, these are the places pike like to choose for hunting. In some places the river is quite narrow and the current is strong; casts should be made along the grass thickets; it is very convenient to fish from a boat. The Novousmansky region is also very promising for fishing, where the river is also winding and in some places reaches a good depth.
Of course, these are not all the rivers that exist in Voronezh and the Voronezh region; for example, you can do some good fishing on the Bityug or Khoper rivers. I would like to note that along the banks of these rivers you can not only find places for fishing, but also for relaxing with family and friends, and have a great weekend with barbecue and tents.
Free fishing spots in the Voronezh region
The Kirpichnaya River flows not far from the village of Shchuchye. But for fishing, it is precisely that section of the reservoir where it flows into the Don that is interesting. There are quite a lot of holes in which catfish live. A worm and a clam will be the best bait for bottom fishing for the river giant.
Lake Bogatoye is located near the town of Leski; if you are going fishing by car, then drive to the reservoir on the western side, where you will be pleased with the clean and sandy shore. Most often, fishermen manage to catch crucian carp, roach, perch, carp and bream. The entire shore of the reservoir is completely open for free fishing.
River Don
The Usmanka River is considered one of the quietest, calmest and most beautiful places for fishing in the region. This is simply an irreplaceable place for those who want to relax in nature with the whole family. There is something to do here for both fans of spinning fishing and float fishing.
There is a very promising place for fishing on the Devitsa River; it is located not far from the bridge with Belazy. Chub, rudd and roach are caught continuously throughout the spring and summer. Moreover, very often you come across weighty individuals. There is also a sufficient amount of large perch and pike in the reservoir.
The era of feast
In the 70-80s, the Voronezh Sea enjoyed prosperity - like the entire USSR. Excursion ships sailed along it to Lipetsk. In 1975, the banks of the artificial reservoir were landscaped, beaches were built, and the Dolphin Park and Scarlet Sails Park were equipped. In the summer, the townspeople enjoyed swimming in the man-made sea. Fishing on the Voronezh Reservoir was far from entertainment - official catch figures by 1990 reached 10 tons per year.
Northern Bridge in Voronezh, photo from the 90s
The growth of the city and the development of the transport system required the construction of an additional bridge (to the already existing Vogresovsky and Chernavsky bridges) across the man-made sea. In 1977, construction of the North Bridge began. And in 1985 its opening took place.
But even in an era of prosperity, the mistakes of rushed builders made themselves felt. Since the size of the Voronezh Sea was not planned in the most successful way (small depth with a large area), and the bottom remained not cleaned, water stagnated in it, and the current was very weak. As a result, the water actively “bloomed” - too many algae appeared, the biological environment changed, and pollution increased. Stormwater and industrial drains also contributed - while the latter were still somehow purified, the former ended up in the reservoir as is.
“On August 9, 1971, a decisive operation was carried out: builders blocked the bed of the Voronezh River. On March 31, 1972, the filling of the Voronezh reservoir began. 4 days later, on April 3, 1972, the complex of technical structures of the Voronezh hydroelectric complex, including a dam and a shipping lock, came into operation. By the summer of 1972, the water level had reached its current level.” Wikipedia
Fish biting forecast in Voronezh and the Voronezh region
| Weather forecast and fish bite | Voronezh, from 02/16/2021 to 02/19/2021 | |||||||||||
| VT | SR | Thu | PT | |||||||||
| Times of Day | Evening | Night | Morning | Day | Evening | Night | Morning | Day | Evening | Night | Morning | Day |
| Cloudiness, precipitation | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Clear | Partly cloudy | Mainly cloudy | light snow | light snow | Mainly cloudy | Mainly cloudy | Mainly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Clear |
| Temperature °C | -13 | -19 | -20 | -17 | -11 | -12 | -13 | -13 | -10 | -16 | -21 | -21 |
| Pressure, mm. | 769 | 771 | 768 | 766 | 764 | 763 | 762 | 762 | 764 | 768 | 770 | 771 |
| Direction, | North wind | West wind | Wind southwest | Wind southwest | Wind southwest | Wind southwest | Wind southwest | West wind | North wind | North wind | North wind | Wind northwest |
| wind speed | 1 m/s | 1 m/s | 2 m/s | 4 m/s | 4 m/s | 3 m/s | 2 m/s | 1 m/s | 2 m/s | 3 m/s | 3 m/s | 3 m/s |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms crucian carp | 35% | 0% | 60% | 60% | 45% | 0% | 55% | 55% | 30% | 0% | 45% | 60% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms Carp | 10% | 0% | 25% | 25% | 20% | 0% | 20% | 20% | 5% | 0% | 10% | 25% |
| According to the forecast it doesn't bite White amur | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| According to the forecast it doesn't bite Silver carp | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| According to the forecast it doesn't bite Carp | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| According to the forecast, the fish will bite on: live bait (jigs), winter spinners, balancers Pike | 35% | 10% | 60% | 60% | 65% | 25% | 75% | 75% | 50% | 10% | 45% | 60% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms, winter spoons, balance beams Perch | 45% | 0% | 70% | 70% | 55% | 0% | 65% | 65% | 40% | 0% | 55% | 70% |
| According to the forecast, the fish will bite on: live bait, winter spinners, balancer Zander | 45% | 60% | 70% | 50% | 55% | 55% | 65% | 45% | 40% | 40% | 55% | 50% |
| According to the forecast, the fish will bite on: bloodworms, oparish, small spoons Chekhon | 35% | 0% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 0% | 50% | 50% | 25% | 0% | 45% | 60% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms, maggots, bark beetles, burdocks Ruff | 35% | 45% | 60% | 55% | 40% | 35% | 50% | 45% | 25% | 20% | 45% | 55% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms, maggots, bark beetles, burdocks Chub | 30% | 30% | 70% | 55% | 40% | 20% | 60% | 45% | 20% | 0% | 50% | 55% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: bloodworms, oparish Gustera | 30% | 0% | 70% | 55% | 40% | 0% | 60% | 45% | 20% | 0% | 50% | 55% |
| Doesn't bite Asp | 10% | 0% | 40% | 20% | 20% | 0% | 30% | 10% | 0% | 0% | 20% | 20% |
| According to the forecast, they will bite on: maggot, bloodworm Rudd | 30% | 0% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 0% | 50% | 50% | 20% | 0% | 40% | 60% |
| Bait: maggot, bloodworm Bream | 30% | 65% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 55% | 50% | 40% | 20% | 35% | 40% | 50% |
| Bait: no Tench | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Bait: worm, live bait, spinner Burbot | 40% | 70% | 60% | 30% | 80% | 90% | 80% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 40% | 30% |
| Bait: maggot, bloodworm Roach | 35% | 0% | 70% | 60% | 55% | 0% | 75% | 65% | 40% | 0% | 55% | 60% |
| Bait: maggot, bloodworm Bleak | 40% | 0% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 0% | 50% | 50% | 30% | 0% | 50% | 60% |
| Bait: maggot, bloodworm, bark beetle Ide | 20% | 0% | 50% | 40% | 30% | 0% | 40% | 30% | 10% | 0% | 30% | 40% |
| Bait: bloodworm, oparish Gustera | 50% | 0% | 50% | 35% | 20% | 0% | 40% | 25% | 40% | 0% | 70% | 35% |
| Bait: no Som | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Meanings of symbols and colors of the bite forecast table
| Mon | Monday |
| Tuesday |
| Wednesday |
| Thursday |
| Friday |
| Saturday |
| Sunday |
| Probability of a bite in % (from 0 to 100) |
Today's day
Today the reservoir has not become any worse - changes in the species composition of fish even indicate a slight improvement in its health. A total of 44 species have been recorded (Wikipedia). Moreover, some of them are acclimatized, and fry of grass carp and silver carp are released into the artificial sea every year.
43 species of birds nest on the reservoir, including those listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. And even more use it as a “transfer station” during seasonal flights.
Wild ducks on the Voronezh reservoir
In the water area there are 67 species of higher plants, 300 species of algae, 200 species of zooplankton and more than 170 species of zoobenthos.
Water belongs to the hydrocarbonate type, magnesium and calcium groups. Water mineralization is a variable value in different areas and is not constant, fluctuating in the range of 0.14-0.72 g/l, reaching 0.90 g/l in some years.
Voronezh reservoir dam, hydroelectric complex
The reservoir's hydraulic system is a stone dam 1100 m long and 10 m wide. The spillway is discharged from a height of 8.5 m (its length is 207 m). The dam has a single-chamber sluice, a bridge is laid over it, and vehicular traffic is carried out. It is not easy to estimate the size of the reservoir itself, and in different sources you can find data that differs quite noticeably. The reason is that the dimensions of the reservoir immediately after filling were already different from the design ones, and since then they have changed several times.
About a dozen uninhabited islands and island groups of natural origin have been registered in the Voronezh Sea. These are the places that were hills and hills before the flooding:
- Petrovsky Island
- Bagrationovsky Islands
- Prydachenskaya Dam
- Maxim Gorky Island
- Otrozhensky Island
- Yakovlevsky Island
- Sand Island
- Island of love
- Maslovskie Islands
- Fishing Island
- Tavrovsky Islands
Their tops remained above the water even after the reservoir was filled. The most famous of them is Petrovsky Island (aka Admiralteysky, also known as Zayachiy), which is located opposite Admiralteyskaya Square.
Numerous islands in the northern part of the reservoir
A floating attraction has recently appeared in an artificial reservoir. In 2014, the Goto Predestination, a copy of a ship from Peter’s times, was launched. This museum can float on its own across the reservoir.
The Chernavsky Bridge survived reconstruction. It was opened in 2009. And the VOGRES bridge was declared unsafe a year earlier.
It is now known what is at the bottom of the Voronezh Reservoir. For more than 10 years, the bottom of the man-made sea has been examined by divers. Several years ago, a dilapidated barge from the 20th century was discovered at the bottom of the reservoir. But quite a few cars dove into the water. Divers also claim that there really are huge catfish weighing a hundredweight at the bottom.
