Trip to the Ruza Reservoir

Historical sketch and geography

The history of the Ruza reservoir starts in 1966, when the dam was built. The main economic goal that was pursued was so that the Moscow region would not be left without fresh water. Around the same time, the local leadership organized a fishing farm, which began to produce and release fry. Over time, locals have become increasingly fond of the reservoir - both professional and amateur fishing is possible here.

The following topographic data for the Ruza Reservoir can be given:

• useful volume - 216 million cubic meters. m,
• area - 33 km,
• width - up to 4 km,
• length - up to 33 km,
• maximum depth - up to 21.2 m,
• altitude above sea level - 182.5 m.

It was created during the construction of a reinforced concrete dam 25 m high, the spillway is 18.5 m high. There is a road crossing. The ice on Ruzsky is put on at the end of November and goes off at the end of April.

The reservoir is navigable and is involved in the water supply system of Moscow, and is a popular object for recreational fishing. There is no developed fishing recreation business on it, that is, it is not a paid site, but you still need to buy trips here from several nearby settlements (Palashkin, Ostashevo, Lenkovo) and follow the fishing rules.

Shipping and reservoirs

The river was once navigable. For a long time, timber was floated along it.

After the construction of the dams, Ruza was crushed. Now in some places you can ford it.

2 reservoirs were built on the river: Verkhneruzskoye and Ruzskoye.

Ruza Reservoir.

The Ruzskoye Reservoir was built in 1966 by building a dam 550 m long and 25 m high near the village of Palashkino.

Its length is 32.8 km, width ranges from 1 km to 3.2 km. The mirror area is 32.7 km². The average depth is 6.7 m, the maximum is more than 20 meters. The volume of contained water is 216 million m³.

Verkhneruzskoe reservoir.

In 1988 the Verkhneruzskoe reservoir was filled. Its width in some places reaches 2.8 km, length – 20.5 km, depth – up to 12 m. The area of ​​the mirror is 9.4 km², volume – 40 million m³.

The banks of both reservoirs are heavily indented with small bays that formed at the site of river mouths.

Ice sets in from November to April. The rest of the time, artificial lakes are suitable for navigation.

The reservoirs on Ruza are part of the Vazuz water system, which meets the needs of the capital. To do this, a canal was brought to Ruza, connecting it with Yauza, and a pumping station was installed.

Fishing rules and restrictions

There are rules in fishing on the Ruza Reservoir: restrictions on catching certain species in pieces, a ban on the use of live bait from other reservoirs and more than 5 of them per day, etc. In particular, in winter you cannot make more than five holes.

There are also requirements aimed at protecting the environment. It is not allowed to park cars too close to the water line. Gasoline engines are not permitted in boats - only electric motors or oars are permitted.

Features of fishing depending on the season

Features of fishing on the Ruza Reservoir depend on the season. Winter and summer have several differences that should be taken into account before planning a trip.

In winter. Fish activity during this period is quite good; there is enough catch for every visiting fisherman. The best catch is perch, which bites on almost any bait. A good time for fishing is the first month after the onset of severe frosts. In the second half of January, the size of the prey decreases slightly, and the good bite moves further from the shore. Perch bites best in the following places:

• the village of Shcherbinka near the snag;
• in river bays near Akatov;
• in the bays near Ovsyaniky.

Not as active as perch, but pike perch are quite acceptable to catch. It can be caught using spoons from the ice surface away from the shore. Best places for hunting:

1. Near the village of Lashovo.
2. Near the islands.
3. At the exit from the bay near the village of Kurovo.

In the spring. Spring hunting begins at the end of April, from the moment the ice begins to melt, and continues until the start of spawning. This season is very short, the fish are not caught very actively, as they are preparing for spawning. You can catch:

• bream;
• pike;
• perch;
• roach;
• bleak.

The warm season is considered the best for fishing on the Ruza Reservoir. A huge number of fishermen come here, so you should hurry to get a good spot.

Summer and autumn. During this period, all fish are successfully caught, except for burbot, which does not really like the heat. All permitted methods and methods of catching prey are used. You can catch large pike and pike perch using live bait. For masters, catching an asp is considered a great success; although it swims in a pond, it is almost impossible to find it.

Summer fishing

In the warm season, the main advantage of the Ruza Reservoir is the opportunity to catch large pike perch there. True, it is unlikely that you will be able to catch a really large specimen with a spinning rod - up to 2 kg, no more. But using mugs with bait you can catch truly trophy specimens. In summer, especially huge pikes are sometimes caught. Spinning anglers also catch sailors and humpback whales here.

The favorite habitat of pike perch is the pre-channel edges between Shcherbinka and Tokarevo. If you want to catch pike, go to the bay near the village of Bunino, because it loves thickets. Burbot lives along the right bank of the Pednya River. By the way, the reservoir is literally filled with roaches - they are caught both in winter and in summer. But asp are found extremely rarely, and you won’t get any advice from professionals on how to catch them.

What parts of the river are favorite with fishermen?

Before you go fishing at the Ruza Reservoir, you need to familiarize yourself with its rules. It is worth noting that fishing is only possible if you have a permit. It is also necessary to take into account a number of restrictions. So, when going to the Ruza Reservoir, you cannot:

• use boats with a gasoline engine
• Bring bait with you, such as bloodworms or live bait. Everything you need will be sold right on the spot.
• park cars close to the shore
• drill more than five holes for one boat

These rules apply year-round and apply to everyone, regardless of what kind of fish and how much you come to catch. And the fish here is presented in great variety:

• Pike. The best place for pike is considered to be the bay near the villages of Bunino and Khotebtsevo, since pike prefer to be in the thickets.
• Burbot. If you decide to fish for burbot, then you should look for it along the right bank of the Pednya River at a depth of up to one and a half meters and at the exit from the bay itself near the village of Lashino at a depth of up to three and a half meters.
• Roach. If you are not very picky and decide to settle for roach, then you are in luck. There is a lot of it in the reservoir and it is found everywhere.
• Asp. The situation is completely different with this fish. Catching it is a rare success even for a professional. Considering the rarity of this fish, knowledgeable fishermen, unfortunately, do not share such information.
• Zander. Mainly lives on the riverbed edges in the depths between the villages of Shcherbinka and Tokarevo.

Tips from experienced fishermen

The bottom of the reservoir has the specificity that there are many flooded trees and other vegetation. This circumstance is favorable for attracting pike, bream, perch, carp, and catfish.

The main types of gear used here:

• spinning,
• donka,
• girders,
• float rod,
• mugs.

Artificial baits:

• foam rubber,
• twisters,
• vibrotails,
• spinners,
• wobblers.

Natural lures:

• worms,
• maggots,
• bloodworm,
• dough,
• semolina, etc.

Experienced fishermen advise not to change fishing points frequently, but to use reliable and proven ones. Many people are also interested in the issue of bream fishing. It should be caught from May to August. To catch really large specimens you will need a boat - they love depth. It is necessary to use bait and feeder tackle.

In general, all Muscovites love the Ruza Reservoir - fishing here is exciting and productive.

Rafting features and popular routes

Fans of kayaking trips appreciate the beauty of the landscapes, calm currents, and gentle banks of the Ruza.

The river rafting season lasts from April to October, but experts prefer the high water period.

The route starts at the village of Krasnoe Selo, which can be reached by bus from the Shakhovskaya railway station. Then it passes by the villages of Kotilovo, Mutnya, Gorodishche, Ivanovskoye, Rozhdestveno, Kozlovo, Chernevo.

Due to the fact that the Yauz Reservoir maintains the water level, kayaks in the upper reaches do not have to be dragged along the shore.

After the villages of Maloe Sytkovo and Sipunovo, the route continues along the Ruza Reservoir.

Those who wish finish the rafting at the village of Ostashevo, which is located on the shore of the reservoir: from here they leave by bus to Volokolamsk.

Then the path continues along the reservoir to the dam near the village of Palashkino, which has to be crossed along the shore.

Kayakers pass by the settlements of Denkovo, Shornovo, Rybushkino, Rakitino, Komlevo, Gorki, Koptsevo, Staro-Sytkovo and Brynkovo.

After admiring the city of Ruza from the water, tourists approach the dam of the idle Gorbovskaya hydroelectric power station, carry their kayaks on dry land and move on to the mouth.

After the villages of Akulovo, Pisarevo, Fedotovo and Ustye, kayaks go out into the Moscow River and raft another 49 km to the final point of the route - Zvenigorod.

Recreation centers and other entertainment

If you are interested in relaxing on the Ruza Reservoir, and not just fishing, then there are three camp sites at your service - “Green Hollow”, “Rus” and “Prichal”.

Green Hollow is a paradise for lovers of quiet nature. The edges here are picturesque. There are six cozy houses there. The reservoir is only 60 m away. There is also entertainment here - volleyball, table tennis, barbecue areas, and a boat rental point. In summer you can both fish and swim and sunbathe. The houses are equipped with stereo systems, televisions, and kitchens. A popular tradition here is to drink tea in the evenings.

Another coastal sanatorium is “Rus”. There is no influence of noisy megacities here, which gives a feeling of pure nature. In addition to the picturesque landscape, the achievements of civilization are available here - infrastructure, cozy rooms, varied menus, saunas, spas, swimming pools, sports complexes, etc.

Pay attention also to the Prichal hotel complex - everything here is selected in such a way that the city dweller can take a break from the usual routine, as confirmed by the photos. It is not difficult for couples in love and large families with children to relax - everything is provided for them. Reviews confirm these facts, so these are not just words.

Choosing a fishing spot

Thanks to the work of the fishery, the reservoir is famous for the presence of rare species of fish. In Soviet times, fry of trout, silver carp, grass carp and eel were released into the water. Over time, the population of these species has declined. In addition to rare species, in this reservoir you can also see traditional inhabitants of Russian reservoirs. Most often, fishermen encounter the following species:

• pike;
• perch;
• burbot;
• zander;
• catfish;
• silver bream;
• asp.

Pike lovers most often go to the bays that are located near the villages of Khotebtsevo and Bunino. The banks in these places are overgrown with reeds. This is where large predators hide. Burbot bites well in two places. It can be found near the village of Lashino. A good bite is guaranteed at the very edge of the bay. Some lovers of this species go to the right bank of the Pedni River.

Fans of pike perch also come to the Ruza Reservoir. Most often they are located between the villages of Tokarevo and Shcherbinka. Some fish species are common in all areas of the reservoir. Fans of roach and perch can choose any place for fishing.