Lake Baikal Ice Diving
Freshwater & Riparian
Fish
Expert
Russia — Lake Baikal
March to April
Overview
Dive beneath crystal-clear ice to see the world's only freshwater seal and transparent fish.
Equipment
- Dry suit
- Ice diving certification
- Underwater camera
- Thermal undersuit
Safety Notes
- Ice diving requires specific training and buddy system
- Hypothermia risk is extreme — abort if any suit failure
Identification Tips
1
Baikal seal pups are visible on ice from above
2
Golomyanka fish are transparent — look carefully
3
Amphipods swarm under ice in massive numbers
Species Checklist
| Species | Likelihood | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Baikal Seal (Nerpa) | uncommon | Haul-outs on ice and near breathing holes |
| Golomyanka | uncommon | Transparent, deep water beneath ice |
| Baikal Amphipod | common | Swarms under ice |
| Omul | common | Schools in clear water |