Vyalye lake is known in the Leningrad region. By the way, its name translates as "extensive." The pond is really big. In Russia, there are bigger ones, but still. The length is more than eight kilometers, you will walk around for a very long time. Width about 4 km. The average depth is about five, and the maximum is 10 meters. Enough to swim and fish properly. The latter, by the way, is the most popular form of entertainment in these places. Välje Lake is a real storeroom where you can make substantial reserves for the winter. The banks around are swampy, full of northern berries - cranberries. But the greatest wealth is fish. Here, pikes and perches of good size are readily pecked at fishing rods.
Location
Sheltered from prying eyes, it shimmers in the sun, like a blue mirror. Nature took good care to hide this world of pristine silence. Crystal air here rings from bird trills. Lake Vyalye (Leningrad Oblast) has spread its shores in the Gatchina region, surrounded by magnificent forests. Being so close to St. Petersburg, it remains a corner of untouched nature.
All Seasons
It is a lake of glacial origin, and the water, despite the swampy shores, is clean and clear. They say that you can drink it directly from the lake. Its history goes back centuries and remains covered in legends and secrets. But itâs worth visiting at least once. Around the Russian forest is noisy, the depths are full of fish, and on the shore there are a myriad of mushrooms and berries. Hunting enthusiasts can go camping in the elk, bear or wild boar.
The climate here is wonderful, close to the sea. It is very soft and healing. Summer is sunny and not hot, and winter is warm. In the sunny months, the water warms up to 25 degrees, but most often itâs not very comfortable for swimming. But in the cold season there is expanse for lovers of winter fishing. You can sit with a fishing rod all day and not freeze. Therefore, amateurs and professionals rush along the first snow to Lake Välje. Fishing, reviews of which are very tempting, becomes a real hobby here.
But best of all in these places in the fall. Forests burn with gold, the weather pleases with last heat, along the banks there is an abundance of mushrooms and berries, and on the water there is a special peace and quiet.
Around the lake
The places here are truly fabulous. If you decide to visit Lake Vialie for the first time, then prepare a camera, you will definitely need it. Around the lake - Russian nature, forests and shrubs. Moreover, the vegetation is very interesting for its heterogeneity. Here the willow, there is a birch, between them stretched luxurious paws of pine and spruce. Occurs at times and alder. But approaching the water is not easy. Around the shore are reeds and reeds. Basically, the descents to the water are very swampy, so for swimming you will have to choose a place carefully enough. There are special trails that experienced fishermen know well. Välje Lake is an original ecosystem, geese and ducks live here, beavers build their huts.
Road to the lake
Surely you are already quite interested and are thinking to hit the road. Then let's look together at how to get to Välje Lake by car. There are many legends about this journey, some of them claim that there is nothing to do on a passenger car. This is fully true. The biggest advantage of this lake is its impregnability. You can get to it only through forest swampy paths. Only in dry time is Lake Vialie available. How to get there by car (always with good traffic), let's consider.
Skipping the autumn slush, you can visit these places on a snowmobile. There is little competition for fishermen at this time of the year, which means that you have every chance to return home with prey. The fish reproduces freely and takes bait with pleasure. Such solitude is liked not only by romantics, but also by real anglers. To get to the place and return, bring the coveted trophy - this is real luck.
There are only two travel options. In the first case, you reach the village of Selishche (Luga district) by car. You can park your car with one of the locals. Further about 3 km through the forest and about the same through the swamp. This is almost all the information on how to get to Lake Vialie by personal transport.
However, there is another way. Take the train to the station "Thicket". From here, about 10 km along a wooded road, which is quite passable with a dry road. Luck fisherman ends two kilometers from Vyalye, at the hut of the forester. Further only in the swamps. Not knowing the road, you should not try to go at random, without navigation equipment, since there are completely deaf places here.
Choose a parking space
Success in this matter depends on the starting point. The lake is large, there are places with a convenient and gentle descent to the water, and somewhere reeds and a swamp. Therefore, it is best to ask the locals. There are also sandy beaches with convenient access to the river on one side and a deep backwater - on the other, where you can wonderfully fish from the shore. Since the trees surround the parking lots, the wind will not bother you too much, and the neighbors are simply not visible.
It should be noted that most of the good places on the shore are already inhabited. Convenient tables were built in water (for cutting fish) and on land. Tourists often leave an excess of firewood, so if you have forgotten, it's worth a look. By the way, there are places for garbage nearby. Collect all unnecessary in packages and put them in containers, they will be taken out later, and nature will remain untouched.
Another point. Since the lake is part of the reserve, you can relax here only by passes, and therefore, for money. Local foresters will gladly arrange it for you, taking 1000 rubles per person per day. Insects are present. Therefore, it is necessary to take a spray or cream with you. Otherwise, when night falls, mosquitoes will ruin the whole impression.
Picturesque islands
Not only the smooth surface pleases tourists Vyalye lake in the Leningrad region. The photo clearly shows the forested islands. They look very beautiful, but this is not their main advantage. Mushrooms, blueberries and strawberries - this is the reward of the one who will sail on any of them. Getting, by the way, is very simple. This will require a rowboat. But motorboats, scooters and other equipment are prohibited here. They can only be used by special services. A paddle ride on the lake can be a pleasant adventure. Row slowly and admire the surrounding beauty.
Fishing in Välje Lake
The water here is clean and completely transparent. Sailing on a boat, you can admire the leisurely life of the inhabitants of the depths. The bottom is sandy, but at times silt is found. There are so many fish that you can realize the cherished dream of a professional. And what can we say about the lover. The catch will greatly depend on the gear and skills of the fisherman, but you will definitely not be left without an ear. About 20 species of fish are found here, including pike, bream, zander and perch. Sometimes it is possible to catch a tench.
For an avid angler, the trophy will be the best reward for the hard road. How wonderful to make a bonfire on the shore and cook a fragrant ear, or even bake meat on coals! Such a dish in a forest parking lot will be remembered for a long time.
Devices and gear
Each pond has its own characteristics, which determines the nature of the inhabitants. Välje Lake was no exception. Fishing, reviews of which are very good, will not require any special skills or special equipment from you. Zander and other inhabitants are perfectly caught on ordinary gear. But it is best to bring worms with you, they are not on the lake. From the shore you can catch in your ear, and if you want to take some more fish home, you need to swim in a boat closer to the middle. Security services are not often here, so the choice of gear will be on your conscience. However, a fishing net is unlikely to be needed for the reason that it would be impossible to take out the catch without a helicopter.
Catch License
You will not need it for a year. You can enjoy the unhurried life of a lake, remote from roads and civilization and preserving a rich variety of fish species. However, you should know that it is part of the reserve, which imposes certain restrictions. In particular, before the start of the beach season, it is better for inveterate fishermen not to come to Lake Vialie. Fishing is prohibited from April 15 to June 15. Spawning is going on at this time. Only with a special license can you catch a certain amount of fish. However, do not despair, you can just explore the paths, as well as go in for sports fishing. Take pictures of your trophies and carefully send them back into the water. And a couple of copies for dinner can be left.
Fishing for lovers
Professionals in this art annually attracts Lake Välje. Reviews say that with sufficient dexterity, you can stock up on fish for the whole season for several trips. And for lovers, such volumes are useless, the most important thing is to sit in silence and look at the water. The main tackle for this part of the anglers is a fishing rod. From the shore, itâs quite possible to get yourself a lump or even a molt in your ear.
You will see more experienced fishermen on boats, or they mostly use spinners and spinning. However, for beginners it is better not to try this method, most likely, nothing will work. But the ordinary fishing rod will be smartly pecking. Judging by the reviews, small breams are caught on any day, roaches and many perches are found. They can be fried and salted on the shore, and hung at home to dry.
Some features
Välje Lake (Luga District) is a wonderful reservoir for catching pike. Individuals up to 10 kg come across, and quite often. Rarely caught large crucian carp, he walks in shoals, and he must be able to watch for it. In the summer season, pike is best suited for live bait. To do this, sit a bit on the beach and twitch the roach. An ordinary fishing rod is perfect for such fishing. You can also use mugs and zerglas. Professionals note that the pike perfectly takes spinning spoons and oscillators, as well as wobblers. The latter is better to choose a reddish-yellow color. In spring, after spawning, this predator is more likely to bite in the middle of the day, especially in cloudy, warm weather.
On a clear and sunny day it is best to go out to the perch. For the most part, small, about 200 grams. He takes the fry well (despite the size, it is still a predator). You can also choose the larva of a dragonfly, shitika or turntable. Quiet, shallow bays with rich vegetation are best suited for fishing perch and pike.
The roach here is very small and goes perfectly as bait. She takes live bait and maggot. If you want to catch crucian, then be sure to do the bait. The best nozzle is a worm. The best places for fishing are shallow bays, up to one and a half meters. A good bite is observed only in early May, while there is little vegetation. Then the feed of the crucian carp becomes so much that it is more difficult to get it. However, professionals say that at dawn there is a chance to return home with prey.
Winter fishing
This is an adventure for an amateur, although the weather here is so mild that it will become a pleasant walk. In winter, pike and perch are predominantly caught on the first and last ice. As a nozzle, they use a roach. Perch, like in summer, prefers clear weather. Severe frosts are not a favorable factor for fishing. Underwater inhabitants are inhibited, respond poorly to bait. In addition, a lack of oxygen can lead to the death of individuals, which means that in the spring it will negatively affect the population.
Tent parking
On the shore of the lake you can feel all the charm of outdoor recreation. It is this, full-fledged, with the smoke of a fire, it should be. To keep the wind as less disturbing as possible, choose a parking spot next to the trees. They will also become a natural protection against rain. It is easy to pull an awning between the trunks. Of course, an inflatable boat will be an important addition. It will allow you to visit the islands and eat plenty of berries. In the afternoon, you can cook dinner on an electric stove with cans. But with the onset of the evening, be sure to light a fire, otherwise you will not be able to appreciate the whole charm of the event. And don't forget about mosquito repellents.
Instead of a conclusion
A trip to Välje Lake can be the best adventure of your life. You will have a great time, fish your first (or largest) fish and make a delicious lunch out of it. And besides this, you can plenty of fun and breathe fresh air, pick up mushrooms and berries, but the most important thing is to enjoy the stunning nature, almost untouched. Thanks to nature itself, the paths to the lake are accessible only in fine weather. With the onset of autumn rains, you can get here only along the marshy forest paths. And without certain skill and navigation equipment, this is not recommended. Therefore, the lake has every chance to remain the most beautiful corner of our great homeland. It is difficult to find another place where with every cell you feel your unity with nature.