Omul fish: where it is found and how it looks, varieties and description, what it eats

Omul is the most popular fish from Lake Baikal, which has enforced restrictions on its catch. This fish is also found in the Arctic Ocean and its tributaries. This is the desired prey of every angler, which is allowed to be caught throughout the year. The fillet of this valuable fish is considered a delicacy and has he alth benefits despite its high fat content.

Description of the fish

Omul belongs to the salmon family and is considered a type of whitefish. It has an ancestral form - an arctic species that belongs to migratory fish.This species is found in the Arctic Ocean, but spawns in rivers up to 1,000 km away, which is why it is known as the "migratory whitefish" .

The Baikal omul is believed to have originated from an arctic variety. It lives in Lake Baikal. In addition, it migrates to nearby rivers to spawn. One of the species is successfully bred in Mongolia. This fish happily lives not only in the Russian Federation, but also in Canada and on the Alaska Peninsula.

Appearance

The omul has an elongated body that gradually tapers towards the tail. If you look closely at the photo, you can see the similarity between it and the grayling, but still it has its own unique characteristics.

1. A well-defined stripe of dark color runs along the body.
2. The elongated shape allows you to move quickly in the water.
3. Head relatively small with large eyes; sometimes dark spots are visible on it.
4. The scales are thin and close to the skin.
5. The upper side of the body looks darker than the bottom, with various shades of brown. The belly of the omul is very light, almost white.
6. There is usually a greenish tint on the sides.
7. There is an adipose fin at the end of the tail - an indicator that it belongs to the salmon family.

The Arctic variety is the largest, fish reach a length of up to sixty centimeters, while the Baikal species is smaller, its upper limit is fifty centimeters. The weight of the fish ranges from 0.25 kg to three kilograms. Usually the Baikal omul weighs about 1000 g.

Habitat

Omul lives in both fresh and s alty waters with a high oxygen content and an abundance of crustaceans. It can be found at a depth of up to three hundred meters, it is there that the largest catches are usually found. The standard depth for life and feeding of the Arctic omul is about five meters.

Depending on the environment in which the fish feeds, there are three types:

• coastal;
• deep sea;
• pelagic.

Representatives of the last variety of species usually live in the water column and are usually the largest of all.

In Lake Baikal, omuls usually live near the entrance to large rivers, where there is an abundance of crustaceans and areas suitable for spawning. To find these fish, you should look for places where there is a large amount of silt, as this usually indicates an accumulation of crustaceans that this salmon relative feeds on.

Living in Russia

Omul, a relative of salmon, is always associated with Lake Baikal. It also lives in the Arctic Ocean, at the confluence of Siberian rivers with it; however, there are no omul populations in the rest of the Arctic.During spawning, it migrates over long distances. In addition, Amur species are present in the water bodies of the Far East region and are artificially bred in the Amur Bay.

Diet

Omul is considered a fish that eats both plant and animal food. For example, crustaceans, benthos, insect larvae, caviar, juvenile fish. In addition, it does not disdain smelt, capelin and small cod. It mainly feeds on small zooplankton.

In August, this fish practically does not feed, as mature individuals gather for spawning.

Natural Enemies

Baikal seals and cormorants are predators that eat omul. It is quite difficult for seals to catch this nimble fish, so they often crawl into fishing nets in search of goodies.

Both bears and otters prey on omul, although this fish usually avoids shallow water. However, when she goes to spawn in mountain rivers, the bear can easily catch her.

The creation of a population of peled depletes food sources for the omul. Especially detrimental to the number of fish is its excessive catch by fishermen and poachers.

How long does an omul live

This fish can live for at least ten years, and some Yakut specimens reach the age of even twenty-five.

It breeds from September to the first decade of November.

Sea cisco can swim long distances upstream to spawn in the summer months of July and August. They usually travel in large groups, eventually splitting into small subgroups. Spawning grounds prefer to choose at a distance from the coastline. These fish spawn on a sandy bottom with a moderate current at a depth of two meters.

A female omul during spawning produces a huge number of eggs - tens of thousands.The incubation period for caviar is quite long, usually 200 days or more. After hatching, the juveniles feed on tiny plankton and stay in groups, making their way to their home.

Omul breeds several times during its life, and the ability to mate ends by the time it reaches thirteen years. Unlike other salmon fish, it survives the spawning period and returns to its natural habitat. When he returns, he begins to eat heavily and gain mass and fat.

Varieties

Different varieties of omul are distinguished according to their main habitat. It is believed that all species of omul originated in the Arctic, while some (for example, white) live in the Yenisei, while others (for example, Baikal) are present exclusively in the lake of the same name.

Arctic omul

This species is native to the Arctic Ocean and is able to adapt to varying s alt concentrations.According to the description, representatives of the arctic species have the largest weight and fatty flesh, which is easily absorbed by the human body. Spawning mainly takes place in Siberian rivers.

Yakut omul

This species of omul belongs to the category of arctic species. In terms of any differences in terms of habitat, this species is also found in the Arctic Ocean. In terms of taste, it differs from Baikal, because it lives in a harsh climate and prefers a different diet. Since the habitat is colder, the Yakut omul stores more fat. During spawning, he is able to swim long distances and migrate for three to four months.

Baikal omul

The origin of the omul fish in Lake Baikal has not been fully explored. Some scientists believe that this subspecies came there from the Arctic Ocean during the glacial or interglacial periods, making it a subspecies of the Arctic variety.However, unlike its marine relatives, this valuable fish lives only in fresh water.

Baikal omul usually weighs from two hundred grams to two kilograms, but large specimens are rare. It starts breeding at the age of five, staying close to its native waters rather than migrating like other species. This species is semi-anadromous and swims only short distances up rivers that empty into the lake.

Different varieties of the Baikal species have been identified, including:

• northern (Northern Baikal);
• chivirkuy, from the east coast;
• Selenga from the river of the same name;
• ambassadorial (Little Sea), found in the Small Sea.

The Baikal population of the subspecies has been able to remain large thanks to laws prohibiting unregulated fishing, and the prospects for its recovery are encouraging.

North

This subspecies of fish, which also lives in Lake Baikal, but only in the northern part - hence its name. It is characterized by the fact that it prefers to live near the coastline, in waters where the temperature is higher. This is a small species, its average weight is 0.25 kg. People who ate its meat note that its flesh is especially tender.

Yenisei omul

The Yenisei species is found off the coast of the bay of the same name. Already in July, he begins to prepare for spawning, and then makes a journey of one and a half thousand kilometers to breed. Spawning takes place every few years. In terms of taste, it is comparable to other types of omul.

Small sea omul

This subspecies of the Baikal omul lives in the southwestern part of the lake, which is separated by an island, which is why it is called the Small Sea. Its body mass is less than other subspecies, but this does not detract from its useful qualities.

About omul fishing

The omul is caught not only on a commercial scale, but local residents also catch it to feed their families and sell it on the market. Tourists often buy smoked and s alted omul as a souvenir.

Fishermen are attracted by the omul because it can be caught all year round.

Fishing is prohibited in Lake Baikal, and in other water sources there are rules prohibiting the catching of salmon fish during the spawning season.

During the omul fishing season, it will be possible to catch it using various methods, such as:

• for spinning;
• with fly fishing;
• bottom fishing;
• with summer float gear.

As temperatures drop, the ice fishing season begins. Omul is a smart and alert species of fish, which makes fishing an exciting challenge, almost a sport.

Fishing is best started early in the day or just before dusk. Experienced anglers also often go out at night. For catching this particular species, it is recommended to use spinning with small baubles. It is important to remember that this type of fish has delicate lips, so it is recommended not to cut so sharply, and when playing, you should use a net. In winter, mormyshkas are used as bait. It is useful to have a tackle box full of artificial flies on hand.

When trying to catch the Baikal omul in winter, you should remember that the transparency of the ice is of great importance. If the fish grabs the hook, there will be a slight twitch on the line; you should pull the line with a soft, wide movement.

If it's windy outside or there are sudden changes in weather conditions, fishing will not be as effective. However, if a large group of omul approaches the hole, then the angler will definitely succeed.

Very effective artificial lures in shades of red and orange. Omul prefers moving bait. Fly fishing requires the use of different types of flies, while bottom fishing requires a lead weight of at least 20g.

During the summer months it is permissible to fish both from the shore and from boats. For the second option, the rods should be no more than three meters in length.

Fishing at night will be successful thanks to the light of the lantern, which attracts crustaceans, followed by a group of cisco.

About meat

This type of salmon has tender, light pinkish flesh that is devoid of any bitter aftertaste. Omul is rightfully considered an exquisite seafood. The most delicious way to prepare it is weak s alting.

There are not a lot of bones in the omul, only ten percent of its mass consists of them. This type of meat is suitable for making high-quality canned fish, for which the fish is cooked either in its own juice or in tomato paste.

100 grams of cisco fillet contains approximately:

1. Calories: about 100 kcal.
2. Proteins: approx 20g
3. Fat: about 6-8g
4. Vitamin D: approximately 15-20 mcg (micrograms).
5. Vitamin B12: approximately 2-3 mcg.
6. Vitamin A: negligible amount.
7. Magnesium: about 30-40mg.
8. Phosphorus: about 150-200 mg.
9. Potassium: about 300-400 mg.
10. Selenium: about 20-30 mcg.
11. Iodine: around 20-30 mcg.

It is important to note that the nutritional value will vary slightly depending on how the fish is cooked (boiling, frying, baking, etc.). Also, the nutritional value varies depending on the size and quality of the fish. This fish is a source of high quality proteins and he althy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for cardiovascular he alth and overall he alth.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionDigestion of omul meat is fast and efficient. It takes a short time for the human body to absorb it, usually a couple of hours. As an example, high-fat pork takes four to five hours to digest.

Useful properties

This fish is the perfect food for those looking to shed pounds and stick to a he althy diet as it is low in calories and nutritionally he althy.

omul fat is good for the he alth of the cardiovascular system due to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its meat is a source of minerals and B vitamins, which are important for the he althy functioning of the nervous system. It also contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E.

Given the high level of helminth infection, it is recommended to avoid eating raw meat of the Baikal subspecies, as this can lead to illness.To properly cook stroganina, it should first be deep frozen. It is also important to properly marinate the fish to reduce the risk of helminth infection. It is recommended to choose the method of hot smoking, although it is believed that cold smoking makes the carcass tastier.

However, like other types of fish, omul may contain some mercury. Consuming meat high in mercury is very harmful to he alth, especially for pregnant women, children, and people with weakened bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to choose fish from clean sources and limit the consumption of large fish that can accumulate mercury.

Some people are allergic to fish. It includes various symptoms, such as skin rashes, itching, swelling, and breathing problems. If a person is allergic to fish, they should avoid eating it.

Omul and cooking

This fish is cooked in various ways, such as boiled, made into soup, fried, s alted, smoked and grilled. In addition, it is used to create sauces and fillings for pies. When cooking omul, there is no need to add oil, as the fish itself is fatty.

Smoked omul, both hot and cold, is very popular among seafood lovers. Roasting or grilling it with fresh vegetables and herbs makes it a nutritious dish for those looking to eat a balanced diet.

Sea cisco is used to make sugudai, a dish for which fish fillets with skin are immersed in a brine consisting of various spices, chopped onions, garlic cloves, s alt, vinegar and vegetable oil. It should then be refrigerated for three to four hours before serving.

The dry s alting technique, which is quite popular, involves leaving the fish whole but removing the gills. Then they cover with a layer of coarse s alt and put nettle grass on top. This practice is widely used by fishermen during the summer.

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