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Fishing for taimen in the footsteps of Genghis Khan
Endless expanses, breathtaking nature, and incredibly hospitable people—that’s how you could describe Mongolia in just a few words. But of course, such a brief summary does not begin to do justice to what this country in the Far East is truly all about. You simply have to experience it for yourself. A population of just around 3 million people is spread across an area roughly four times the size of Germany—about half of them in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. In rural areas, however, you’re more likely to encounter some of the country’s 80 million livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, yaks, and camels), and with a population density of about 2 people per square kilometer (compared to Germany’s roughly 230 people per square kilometer), you’ll hardly notice anyone. This makes Mongolia, which lies at an average elevation of about 1,500 meters above sea level, not only one of the least densely populated countries on Earth, but also farther from any ocean than any other country.
Fishing Trips to Mongolia
This combination results in an extreme highland continental climate, with sometimes significant temperature fluctuations—not only with the changing seasons, but also from day to day, or even hour to hour. Mongolia has a culture dating back thousands of years, and it is said that the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan was once the largest in the world.
The fact that every sea is extremely far away does not, however, mean that there is a shortage of water. The country is home to some 1,200 rivers alone, with a total length of about 70,000 km.
So what makes Mongolia so interesting for sport fishermen? Well, first and foremost, there is one species of fish to mention: the taimen. This fish species, related to the European huchen, magically attracts anglers from all over the world, because whether you’re a spin or fly fisherman—catching a taimen is undoubtedly one of the absolute highlights in an angler’s life, and there’s probably no other place on earth where the prospects for catching this salmonid are as good as they are here. The best area for taimen fishing is located in northern Mongolia in the Selenga River system, one of the largest rivers in Mongolia. And here, it is particularly the so-called Eg River that is the focus of taimen anglers. The river, called “Egiin Gol” by the Mongolians, stretches 535 km before flowing into the Selenga, which in turn drains into Lake Baikal. Thanks to extensive conservation measures, the healthy taimen population has fortunately been preserved to this day. Strict catch-and-release is enforced.
Fishing Vacation in Mongolia — The Taimen
The taimen is also called the “river wolf” by the Mongolians. Not because it looks fearsome (for that certainly cannot be said of this beautiful fish), but rather because it often hunts in groups and—much like a pack of wolves—swims in a coordinated formation to give its prey no chance of escape. Taimen belong to the salmonids (i.e., salmon-like fish) and can grow to impressive sizes.
In fact, the taimen is the largest of all salmonids. There are reports of a fish said to have reached a length of 2.10 meters and weighed over 100 kg. Realistically, however, it must be said that fish measuring 1.50 meters or more are already extremely rare. The current IGFA world record stands at just under 50 kg for a length of 150 cm. Specimens around one meter in length can certainly be considered good catches. Fishing is done with spinning lures and/or fly fishing. Fishing for taimen is hard work, and the fish are not easy to catch—but those with enough perseverance will have their chance to land one or even several of these “river wolves.”
As bycatch—provided you fish with appropriately smaller lures—the lenok (a Mongolian trout species) and grayling are worth mentioning, both of which can be caught in considerable numbers.
Season: June 15–July 5, as well as late August through mid-to-late October. From mid-July to mid-August is the rainy season, and the river becomes very murky due to high water. During the summer months, mosquitoes are more prevalent. By early October at the latest, temperature fluctuations can become quite drastic, and you must prepare for winter conditions. Night and day frosts are just as common here as the first snowfalls heralding the coming winter.
In a country this vast, the first question that inevitably comes to mind is where the best fishing grounds are. Without a doubt, the Tengis and Shishged river system in the far northwest of the country ranks among the absolute best areas—especially when it comes to the size of the taimen. This is an extremely remote fishing ground in the middle of a vast nature reserve. Getting here is a long journey, no question—but in this river region, the true monster taimen lurk…
The boats
The boats at Taimen Lodge are generally used only to quickly travel from one fishing spot to the next on the river. Fishing is then done almost exclusively from the shore.
Taimen Lodge
Welcome to Taimen Lodge in Mongolia! We invite you to an unforgettable fishing adventure where you have an excellent chance of landing one of the world’s most impressive freshwater fish—the mighty taimen.
Nestled in pristine wilderness, Taimen Lodge offers an unparalleled experience for anglers seeking to catch the legendary taimen. The camp is situated on the banks of a remote river, at the confluence of the Shishged and Tengis—surrounded by untouched nature and providing the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.
The camp consists of a communal building (where guests are also catered for), a few small cabins (each accommodating a maximum of 3 guests), and a few so-called yurts—Mongolian tent accommodations. A separate building houses showers, restrooms, and a sauna.
The Shishged is part of the Yenisei River basin and is the source of the so-called Little Yenisei. It flows through the Darkhad Valley in the northwestern Chuvsgul Aimag in Mongolia and then westward through the Ulaan Taiga into Russia. There, it joins the Bussein and the Billin to form the Kysyl Khem. Of its total length of 344 km, 298 km lie in Mongolia.
Tent Camp
When fishing in even more remote areas that are too far from the lodge for a day trip, you may spend 1–2 nights in a tent camp. This should be viewed as a special expedition and is a truly unique experience. On the one hand, you’ll naturally be fishing in a completely different area that consistently yields good taimen catches—but on the other hand, this is truly unspoiled nature, leaving impressions you’ll never forget. Until around mid-September, temperatures are still mild enough to sleep comfortably in a tent. However, those sensitive to the cold should avoid camping in October.
We can provide you with a personalized quote for your planned taimen fishing trip to Mongolia—tailored entirely to your individual needs.
Please note: From August 22 to September 3, 2027, we are offering a guided taimen tour to Taimen Lodge, which is also ideal for solo travelers. See below for services and prices. There is also the option to extend the tour by 5 days at the end to fish for Amur pike in eastern Mongolia.
Itinerary:
Flight from Germany via Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar (Turkish Airlines / 30 kg checked baggage allowance)
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar in the morning. Transfer and sightseeing/shopping to follow. Overnight stay with breakfast at a hotel in the city center.
Breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, transfer to the airport and then a domestic flight to Murun in northern Mongolia. From there, it’s another approximately 9-hour drive to the lodge in the far northwest of Mongolia. Along the way, you can admire the impressive Mongolian landscape. We’ll stop for lunch en route. We’ll arrive at the camp around 7:00 p.m.
Accommodation at Taimen Lodge (cabins for 2–3 people each. Full board. A total of 7 days of guided fishing. We use boats to reach the fishing spots. Fishing is primarily done from the shore. Full board (breakfast, packed lunch, and hot dinner). A typical day looks like this: 8:30 a.m. breakfast at camp. 9:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. fishing on (both) rivers with a lunch break around 1:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. dinner at camp.
Return trip to Murun (9 hours—lunch en route) and spend the night there again at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by the return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel and one more night’s stay.
Return flight via Istanbul to Germany — or an additional “Amur pike” fishing trip on the Onon River (Eastern Mongolia) for another 5 days.
Drive from Ulan Bator to the Onon River. Overnight stay at a tent camp
3 days of fishing for Amur pike on the Onon River with a guide. Accommodation in a tent camp. Full board.
Return trip to Ulaanbaatar and one more night at the hotel.
Return flight via Istanbul to Germany
- Flight from Germany to Ulaanbaatar (30 kg checked baggage + carry-on)
- All transfers
- 8 nights at Taimen Lodge, including full board
- 1 night at a hotel in Murun on the return trip
- 7 days of taimen fishing, including a guide
- 2 nights at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Price per person: starting at €6,499 (depending on available flight booking classes)
Not included in the price:
- Meals in Ulan Bator (except breakfast)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Possible extension of the tour / Amur pike expedition in Eastern Mongolia (Onon River) for an additional 5 days, including tent camp, full board, and guide: €1,700
- Tips
Please register early—spots are very limited.
