Mongolia’s fishing industry is relatively small compared to its neighbors, largely due to its landlocked geography and pristine, sparsely populated river systems. The country is renowned for its wild, cold-water fisheries, with the top catches including the legendary taimen (Hucho taimen)—the world’s largest salmonid—as well as lenok (Brachymystax lenok), Amur grayling (Thymallus grubii), and various species of perch and pike. Traditionally, fishing in Mongolia was a subsistence activity for local communities, but in recent decades, the country has gained international acclaim as a destination for catch-and-release sport fishing, especially for taimen. Commercial fishing remains limited, with strict regulations in place to protect native fish stocks and maintain the ecological integrity of Mongolia’s rivers and lakes.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.