The state of spawning grounds is affected by fluctuations in sea level, overburden winds, temperature conditions, and the volume of Volga runoff. In 2026, a decrease in the area of spawning grounds was recorded, especially in the southern areas near the border with Dagestan: due to the long‑term decrease in sea level and the weakening influence of high winds, some spawning grounds dried up or lost their importance. Thus, a number of water areas from the latitude of Lagani to the Darginsky Bay have practically disappeared due to the formation of new land and the growth of reed arrays.
At the same time, special hydrometeorological conditions have developed this year: low temperatures and increased precipitation have led to increased flow of the Kuma River. Due to congestion at the mouth of the Kuma reservoir, the water level rose and flooded the adjacent depressions for the first time in decades. There is a significant concentration of juvenile carp and crucian carp in these areas.
In the Sostinsky lakes, the conditions of reproduction depend on the water supply from the Chograi reservoir. In recent years, spawning grounds have been flooded in a timely manner, which improves fish habitat and breeding conditions.
The spawning efficiency was assessed using control fishing of juveniles, measurements of environmental parameters (depth, temperature, transparency, oxygen content) and hydrochemical samples.
In comparison with previous years, contradictory dynamics is observed: south of the Lagan, the drying up of spawning areas continues, while north of the Lagan, the condition of spawning grounds is satisfactory due to the high Volga runoff. A noticeably higher number of juveniles (including roaches and bream) were observed in the Northern Caspian Sea than in previous years. Good results have also been recorded in the Sostinsky lakes: juvenile carp, bream, roach and crucian carp predominate.
The data obtained will help predict stocks of commercial fish species and their catch volumes.
VNIRO Press Service