History of the origin of Lake Balkhash
It was formed in the last quarter of the Neogene as a result of the trough of the Tugarin plate and was subsequently filled with sand deposits. It is noteworthy that Lake Balkhash, along with lakes Alakol, Sasykkol and Ebi-Nur, previously belonged to the Hanhai Sea and captured the entire Balkhash - Alakol depression, but it was never united with the Aral-Caspian basin system. Another important point is that the Saryesik Peninsula divides the reservoir into two parts: on the western part the lake is fresh and wider, and on the eastern part it is salty and narrower.
All inclusive
Experienced fishermen go to the southern part of the lake for cool spots. You can catch more there, and the choice of vacation spots is extensive. In winter, you can get to the base point by car, boat or airboat. Such a round trip transfer will cost 5 thousand tenge. For those who love comfort, there is the option of air delivery. A flight on an AN-2 plane will cost almost 400 thousand tenge, and on a helicopter – twice as much. It all depends on the capabilities of the guest. The starting point in most cases is Almaty.
In the south, comfort costs much more. For example, for a day of accommodation on an all-inclusive basis in an eight-bed, one-story log house, you will have to pay about 40 thousand tenge per person. The price includes guide services, three meals a day, boat, gear and fuel. There are no more budget options in the top recreation centers located in the Ili River delta.
But, as it turned out, not all recreation areas whose websites advertise winter fishing services welcome guests in winter. Many people go on vacation themselves in the cold, because there are practically no guests. As practice shows, fishermen prefer to go fishing on their own.
Climate of Lake Balkhash
The climate of the lakeside area is considered deserted. The average heat temperature in summer ranges from 27.9 to 30 degrees, and the annual precipitation is only 131 mm. The wind can cause quite significant disturbance on the lake, with wave heights sometimes reaching 3.5 meters. In the western part there is a continuous extension, directed clockwise.
Lake relief
According to the shape of the figure, the reservoir resembles a month, the level above the sea-ocean level is 340 meters. The area of the reservoir is 16.4 thousand km2, it is the largest in the region of Kazakhstan and also occupies fourteen roles according to the area from among absolutely all the lakes in society.
The depth of the pool is usually 5.8 meters. The western and northern shores of the reservoir are steep, twenty, thirty meters high, the half-day shores up to the river are low and also sandy. The coastal part is very winding and is also divided by multiple bays. A notable feature is the color of the lake. In the western part it has a dull greenish tone, and in the eastern part it is azure, and in some places even dark blue.
Lake Balkhash description
Lake Balkhash is located at an altitude of 340 meters above sea level in a gentle trough of the Balkhash-Alakol depression. The length of Balkhash is 615 km, and the width ranges from 3.8 to 44 km. Its area is about 18,000 sq. km. Balkhash has a crescent shape with many bays and bays. There are several islands on the lake, the largest of which are Basaral and Tasaral. The lake is shallow, its average depth is 6 meters, and only in some places it reaches 26 meters. According to scientists, the age of the reservoir exceeds 35,000 years.
The phenomenon of the lake is that its western part is fresh, and in the eastern part of the lake, due to increased mineralization, the water tastes brackish.
This is explained by the fact that the bottom of the lake contains a lot of mineral salts, and the eastern half is constantly renewed by fresh rivers flowing into it. Thanks to the narrow strait and the island of Saryesik, the water in Balkhash does not mix. On the western side, the lake is vast, but shallow, and on the east, on the contrary, it is deeper, but smaller in size. Read about Lake Sol-Iletsk here.
Lake Balkhash on the map
In the west, Balkhash is framed by high rocky shores, represented by Paleozoic rocks: granites, limestones and shales. The southern coastline up to the Ili River delta is flat and sandy with an undulating coastline and coastal hills.
Balkhash is located in a desert zone characterized by a dry continental climate. Precipitation is extremely rare here; the monthly average does not exceed 12 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in May. Summer air temperatures reach +30 ͦС, and the water in the lake warms up to +28 ͦ С. In winter, the water freezes and the ice remains until the beginning of April, and the air temperature does not drop below -13 ͦ С. The salty half of the lake practically does not freeze in winter.
Holidays on the lake
Holidays on Balkhash have its own characteristics, based on the climate, topography and chemical composition of the water, depending on the geographical location in the lake.
Considering the temperature regime, low rainfall and the predominance of sand, especially in the southern part of the lake, when planning a vacation on a reservoir, it is necessary to pay attention to: drinking regime, protection from solar radiation, a supply of food and the necessary equipment for spending the night.
There is also the option of staying in a house on the lake shore with all the amenities, but this may not be affordable for some, so if you are going on vacation there, it is best to go with a large group.
Fishing bases
On the shores of Lake Balkhash there are numerous fishing bases operating year-round. Here, an angler can always spend the night, rent a boat and get advice from experienced huntsmen.
"Delta"
The Delta fishing base is located on the southern shore of the lake, at the place where the Ili River flows into it. You can get here by your own car or by plane from Almaty. The large guest cottage, designed for 17 people, has everything you need for a comfortable stay:
- equipped kitchen;
- shower;
- toilet;
- air conditioner;
- TV.
There are also small houses with one and two rooms. Despite the remoteness of settlements, cellular communications work without interruption. Experienced rangers at the base will help you decide on the choice of gear and deliver you to a promising fishing point.
"Golden Bay"
The Golden Bay base is located in the north of the Almaty region, near the Ir channel. You can only get here by water, so it is always quiet and peaceful here. For accommodation
- provided:
- hotel rooms;
- small summer houses;
- national yurts.
Fishing places are located in close proximity to the base, so the angler does not have to spend much time on the road.
On a note! In the water area adjacent to the Golden Bay there are both shallow areas and deep holes, which are a haven for large catfish.
If an angler has studied the habits of local representatives of the ichthyofauna and managed to select catchable baits and lures, then fishing on Lake Balkhash will be able to meet his wildest expectations.
Snakehead
The illegally introduced snakehead feels great in its new location and actively reproduces. Some ichthyologists are sounding the alarm that the predator could overrun the entire lake and disrupt food chains, but since 2013 there have been no significant changes in the decline in fishing for other fish, which suggests that the snakehead has occupied its ecological niche in the lake. Snakeheads are most often caught by casting, attaching live bait or a piece of cut fish to the hook, and attaching the other end of the fishing line to a stick near the shore or tying it to nearby vegetation.
Features of local fishing: Balkhash and its secrets
“Catch, fish, big and small...” For residents of the city of Balkhash, this phrase is not just a quote from a fairy tale. They fish day and night, winter and summer. There are no distinctions based on age and gender. People just come to enjoy the most common hobby in the world. Ekaterina Leiman found out the history of fishing and the peculiarities of the local fishery.
Bertys Bay is the basis of almost everything that exists in the city of Balkhash. The construction of a copper smelter, a city-forming enterprise, began from this bay.
Bertys is the harbor of the Balkhash fleet: fishing, research and civil. At the same time, it was and remains a mecca for vacationers and fishing enthusiasts.
Vessels such as seiners and mother ships with refrigeration chambers on board have been harvesting fish industrially for many years. A seiner is a fishing ship, a fishing vessel for fishing with a purse seine.
Floating motherships were large ships with ice in their holds for storing fish collected from the shores, fish farms and farms.
In the 50-60s and to this day, similar vessels produced fish products not only for the needs of the city, but also the entire country as a whole.
In the village of Ozerny, now Shashubay, a secondary technical school was opened to graduate specialists of mid-level seafarers (mechanics, navigators, refrigeration workers).
Vessels similar to this were the pride of the Balkhash fishing fleet. Despite the fact that their service life has long expired, they still serve as a reminder of the former power of the fishing industry. Once they caught up to 12,000 tons of fish in one navigation.
In the old days, there was a whole fishing village nearby, which to this day is called “Rembaza”.
This place is a repair base for the fishing fleet. It also serves as a parking lot for obsolete ships, which are eventually dismantled for scrap.
Fair methods are not always used in the fishing process. An example of this is these Chinese-made nets with a small mesh that practically destroy young fish. Once there, small fish die.
The city pier is a favorite place for fishermen
The most popular fishing spot in Balkhash is the city pier. Fishing is carried out here all year round, since the place is convenient, deep, and often visited by tourists.
Avid fishermen are so tired of trivial questions that they find original ways out of the situation.
Children fishing
Fishing captivates not only adult men, but also children. Children can sit intently and wait for hours for the coveted bite.
Among the masses of fishermen there are some very extraordinary personalities. Meet Anna Alexandrovna, a retired former officer. Fishing experience - 26 years. Despite her age of 70, fishing gives the woman strength.
Two years ago Anna Alexandrovna caught... a snakehead! This fish, according to the woman, discouraged fishing for several months.
“I hit him on the head, he was so disgusting!” - says the fisherman.
Zander
Today, pike perch is found almost everywhere, and the catch cannot but please the fisherman, but you need to know the places where it is found. This is most often the area where rivers flow into the lake, as well as snags and islands on the lake. Mostly, pike perch is caught when fishing with a light spinning rod with a line diameter of up to 0.24 mm.
Tourism and recreation on Lake Balkhash
Balkhash is attractive for tourists. Since the lake is one of the warm lakes, recreation on it is very popular in the summer. The picturesque nature of the lake, clear water and sandy gently sloping beaches will delight lovers of active and relaxing leisure. Salty lake water and hydrogen sulfide mud have a healing effect on the body. Relaxation on a pond is favorable for corporate trips, romantic trips and family time.
Fishing enthusiasts should note that the best bite begins in April, and the second wave is from July to September. Those who prefer winter fishing come to the lake in January. Hunting season begins on the lake in mid-September. The most popular game is gray duck, goose, pheasant, hare and fox. During certain periods, wild boar hunting is permitted.
On the lake you can rent a boat or catamaran, and active recreation enthusiasts can enjoy water scooters, banana boat rides, table tennis, volleyball courts and football fields. Evening boat rides during sunset will not leave lovers of romance indifferent. Read about Lake Seliger here.
Currently, in the coastal zone of Lake Balkhash there are 9 recreation areas designed for 500 people. However, the government of Kazakhstan plans to develop the tourist area and infrastructure, the project includes the construction of six more facilities with a capacity of up to 300 people. They plan to invest funds in the amount of 500 million tenge for the implementation of this project. In addition, 11 billion tenge have already been allocated for the reconstruction of the runway, which will increase the influx of tourists from different parts of the world.
On the west coast, where there is fresh water, there are two most popular resorts: Chubar-Tubek and Torangalik. Vacationers can choose from various recreation centers, for example, “Swallow’s Nest”, “Aigerim”, “Tulkar” and “Flamingo”. If you wish, you can stay at one of the lake's sanatoriums.
Holiday prices in 2021 start from 3,000 to 10,000 tenge per day per person. A luxury vacation will cost 23,000 tenge per person. The most affordable holiday on the lake is considered to be a savage holiday, but this does not make it any less attractive for tourists. Warm nights and the absence of mosquitoes make it easy to relax in tents. Read about Lake Sasyk Sivash here.
Carp
Carp is found almost everywhere and usually bites from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn. They catch it mainly with a float and casting rod. For bait, steamed legumes (peas, corn, beans), undercooked potatoes, pearl barley, cereal seeds (wheat and rye), worms and maggots are suitable. For bait, hard-cooked wheat and millet porridge, as well as cake, are suitable.
When catching a carp, it is important to follow the correct fishing technique: if the carp is not large - up to a kilogram, then it must be fished out quickly so as not to scare away the flock nearby, but if the carp is large, then you should not rush to catch it. Smooth and even fishing with a gradual release and timely rewinding of the fishing line will prevent the fish from leaving the hook and ensure the possession of the desired prey.
Asp
The asp on Balkhash actively bites at the end of August and the beginning of September. To catch it, it is best to use a spinning rod with a heavy spoon and petals made of ruby copper and black brass. The Devon-type spinner has proven itself to be excellent - a torpedo-shaped spinner with petals at the end; it is an indispensable part of a fisherman’s arsenal when catching asp.
What kind of fish can you catch in Balkhash?
The species diversity of fish is dictated by the composition of the water, which on the eastern part of the reservoir has a salty taste, and on the western side it tastes fresh.
This composition of water is due to the flow of rivers into the lake.
The permanent inhabitants include the following types of fish:
- perch;
- spotted sponge;
- Marinka;
- homogeneous sponge;
- bream;
- carp;
- carp;
- catfish;
- asp;
- barbel;
- carp.
These fish are of greatest interest to fishermen. But fishing is not limited to recreational fishing.
The lake is divided into fishing areas where industrial production is carried out.
Marinka
Fish is considered an important commercial item. Fishing for marinka is most successful in winter, spring and autumn. Being an omnivorous fish, it bites on almost all baits of animal and plant origin. Maggots and worms serve as universal bait for it.
Large marinkas prefer small baitfish and happily peck at them. It is important to remember that caviar, milk and the dark membrane of the peritoneum of fish have toxic properties, but if the fish is properly cut, poisoning can be avoided.
