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Yakutia’s Winter Fishing Boom Revives Ancient Traditions with Record Hauls

A single village hauled 600 sacks of fish—without modern gear. Discover how Yakutia’s winter fishing keeps centuries-old traditions alive and thriving.

In this image we can see that there are so many fishes of different varieties are kept on the ice....
In this image we can see that there are so many fishes of different varieties are kept on the ice. In between them there are green leaves. There is a price tag on the fishes. In the background there are few people standing in front of them and looking at the fishes. At the top there are lights.

Yakutia’s Winter Fishing Boom Revives Ancient Traditions with Record Hauls

In the remote villages of Yakutia, Russia, local fishermen have enjoyed a bountiful winter catch. While the names of the successful anglers remain unknown, their stories of abundance and traditional methods have surfaced.

In the village of Tabaga, residents caught such a large quantity of fish that they had to release some due to a shortage of sacks. Meanwhile, in the Kurbusakh rural area, locals caught plenty of crucian carp, though the exact number remains unrecorded. The most impressive catch was made in the village of Khaiyakhsyt, where over 600 sacks of fish were reeled in using a traditional winter net called a munkha. This ancient method, passed down through generations, has proven effective once again.

The released fish, now free to grow larger, will contribute to future munkha catches, ensuring the sustainability of this traditional practice.

The winter fishing season in Yakutia's remote villages has been marked by abundance and tradition. Despite the lack of specific details about the fishermen, their stories highlight the region's rich cultural heritage and the continued success of traditional fishing methods.

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