Regulations

Mongolia Taimen Fishing Regulations

All foreign anglers must have a fishing license. In Mongolia, these are referred to as a “Taimen Permit”. Individuals cannot purchase permits directly. All permits are allocated to a handful of government endorsed outfitters.  Foreign anglers must book with an endorsed outfitter.  The outfitter secures the taimen permit on behalf of the angler.

Only Government endorsed companies are allocated permits.  These companies must be Mongolian.  The company must have an established record of successful tourism management and taimen conservation.

Approximately two hundred taimen permits are allocated for the entire country.  The allocations are designed to protect the fishery and the quality of the fishing experience.  Allocations are based upon the conservation status of each river’s fishery.

Four taimen river systems may be fished legally.  A specified tourism company is responsible for fishing at each river system.  Two of these rivers are designated as Taimen Sanctuaries. Taimen Sanctuaries are protected for taimen and have special rules.  Long-term conservation management agreements regulate fishing within both Taimen Sanctuaries. 

Unfortunately, many companies and individuals continue to advertise illegal fishing trips to Mongolia.  A foreign angler caught without a permit faces fines, immediate confiscation of all fishing equipment, and expulsion.  The angler is exposed to the risk, not the company.  This creates an incentive for unethical behavior.

Fortunately, both Taimen Sanctuaries have active, community-based enforcement. Local residents understand and appreciate the value of our conservation partnerships.  These local residents will not hesitate to protect their fish.  They will contact the authorities.

Local residents know that we are the only company legally allowed to have foreign anglers within the two Taimen Sanctuaries.  They also know that each foreign angler must be accompanied by one of our guides.  Every local family knows our guides by name.  This type of community-based enforcement is very effective.

It is easy to determine if you have a permit.  Simply ask your operator.  The permits are issued by the national government.  The Ministry of Environment’s logo will appear on the permit. The permit will state the valid fishing dates and location.  Your name will appear on the permit.  Each taimen permit costs approximately US$ 400.

For many years, fishing in Mongolia was poorly regulated.  The number of foreign taimen anglers increased dramatically.  Multiple operators “shared” river systems.  Most tourism companies invested very little effort in conserving these shared resources. Conflicts were created between operators.  Local residents were unhappy.  This situation made government law enforcement difficult and expensive. The quality of the fishing experience started to deteriorate.

To reverse this trend, the Government of Mongolia adopted a revised permitting system.  This permitting system encourages taimen conservation and improves the level of service for international angling guests.  The long-term conservation agreements reduce risks for the angler, the company, the community, the government, and the resource.  Individual Mongolian tourism companies are responsible to market and run angling trips for foreigners. These professional companies must guarantee a high quality of service that builds Mongolia’s good reputation.  Each company is responsible for working in partnership with local residents.  The company must conserve the river, protect the fish and make certain foreign anglers follow the rules.

By strictly limiting access by foreign anglers, Mongolia is protecting your angling experience and assuring that foreign angling contributes to the conservation of this amazing species.

Please do your part and support only ethical operators.