Search

Kilka concentrate in the northern part of the Sheksna stretch in the prewintering period. Maximum concentrations are registered in the upper parts of the stretch at the deepest sites with the highest current speeds. The patchy character of fish’s distribution is noted. Kilka dominated in pelagic fish-fry aggregations, constituting 95–100% of the abundance (according to pelagic trawl catches). Two size groups of kilka dominated: 40–60 mm and 70–80 mm. The isolation of these size groups was observed in some areas.

Data on predator fish feeding in the Rybinsk reservoir in the first years (2000–2003) of Ponto-Caspian kilka expansion are given. It is shown that the kilka’s penetration into the Rybinsk reservoir caused changes in the feeding spectra of predator fish. Kilka became one of the main objects of predator feeding throughout the whole year. In the open water period, it is consumed by pikeperch Stizostedion lucioperca (Linnaeus) and Volga pikeperch Stizostedion volgense (Gmelin) in the pelagial and by pike Esox lucius Linnaeus and perch Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus in the sublittoral and shallow bays. In winter it is mostly eaten by burbot Lota lota (Linnaeus) and pikeperch.