Contemporary ichthyofauna status of Vygozero reservoir

The study represents a revision of ichthyofauna belonging to one of the largest water bodies of Karelian Republic - Vygozero reservoir. The fish community of the reservoir consists of 17 species from 9 families. Nevertheless. our findings testify to the fact that at present ichthyofauna of Vygozero reservoir is insufficiently studied. Biology of some fish species was given. Statistics of commercial catches for the last 80 years were analyzed. It was found out that numerical strength of Salmonidae and Coregonidae has considerably decreased. Acclimatized fish (pikeperch and smelts) have naturalized and become one of the main commercial species. At present fisheries of Vygozero reservoir are in a depressive state. The catch of valuable commercial species (vendace, whitefish, and pikeperch) has decreased. The catch of widespread species such as roach. ide, and perch has also declined. To improve the situation at the reservoir recovery works for Salmonidae and Coregonidae are necessary.