Baikal attracts tourists not only with its stunning views and status as the deepest lake in the world but also with the opportunity to taste delicious fish, especially omul. These places became known as a fishing region as early as the beginning of the 19th century when fishermen began to settle here. They united into large cooperatives and during the season made significant catches. According to travelers of that time, there were so many fish that it was measured in poods and barrels, each containing a thousand or more omul. Part of the catch was sold directly on the shore to merchants.

The majority of the valuable fish was sent to Irkutsk. The fish was presented in various forms: salted, dried, sliced, balyk, as well as caviar. Fish could also be bought in bulk: a barrel cost 7 rubles, and a thousand tails of frozen omul, 1 ruble. At Baikal, not only omul was caught but also burbot, pike, grayling, crucian carp, sturgeon, and chub.

Over time, fishing took on industrial scales. The best areas were quickly seized by merchants, cooperatives, and even the clergy. For example, the waters of southern Baikal, from Kultuk to the Manturikha River, were owned by the Irkutsk archbishopric and the Ascension Monastery. This negatively affected natural resources: predatory fishing led to a sharp decline in fish populations in the lake, which attracted the attention of the government.

In 1872, the Ministry of State Property introduced strict fishing regulations, prohibiting net and seine fishing, as well as fishing during spawning. The new prohibitions caused discontent among local residents, who blamed steamships for scaring away the fish with the noise of their screws. However, the restrictions helped restore the population of underwater inhabitants. Today, our task is to preserve the natural riches of Russia.