Programs
Zhupanova RiverProtected & Priority Areas
The Zhupanova River watershed is one of the most productive trout rivers in the world, and is home to the richest rainbow trout habitat on Kamchatka. Situated in the south-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, the Zhupanova drains a 1.1 million acre area extending into the central Kamchatka Range of volcanic mountains. The river contains exceptionally large trout, some reaching 12-15 lbs (7.3-9 kg), five species of Pacific salmon, and two species of anadromous char (Dolly Varden and kundzha). The Zhupanova is also an important resting place for migratory birds, which gather here in the thousands during their fall migration.
The Wild Salmon Center is assessing the potential to create a multiple-use protected area on the Zhupanova, where conservation could be successfully combined with environmentally sound economic development, particularly catch and release angling tourism.