The southern tip of Kamchatka is a federal reserve created in 1882 to protect sea otter populations at the same time Kronotsky Preserve was designated by tsar's order. Since the historic origins of the Reserve, a broader appreciation for the natural resources in contains, has evolved largely due to abundant sockeye salmon runs into Kurilskoye and Kambalnoye Lakes. The salmon mean plentiful food for the largest population of brown bears in the world and the largest populace of Steller sea eagles on the planet as well as other predatory mammals and birds.
Blessed with some of the most violent storms in the Pa¬cific as the Peninsula conies to a point at Lopatka Cape where the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea collide, the Yu-jno-Kamchatsky Reserve's frequently wet, windy, and foggy weather shrouds the reserve in mystery and isolation. Spring and fall migratory birds use the wetlands as a vital stopover place for feeding, resting, and restoring energy reserves.
One of the most amazing places on Kamchatka is Kurilskoye Lake in August and September, the time when bears come to feed on the abundant red salmon, ripening berries, and pine nuts, A growing number of Kamchatka tour operators offer day and multi-day bear viewing trips to the lake with accommodations at the Grassy Point Lodge run by the Yujno-Kamchatsky Reserve, a federally protected area. To reach Kurilskoye Lake, fly by helicopter about an hour and 15 minutes to the southern tip of Kamchatka. Landing at the lake, you'll be welcomed to the Reserve's Grassy Point Lodge. The lodge makes its cozy accommodations available, providing a comfortable and safe place to spend the night in the height of bear country. During a typical trip, visitors sec much of Kurilskoye Lake by boat, on foot, and always with the escort of an armed Reserve inspector.
Besides being a haven for brown bears, Yujno-Kam-chatsky's shorelines have some of the peninsula's most important haul out places for marine mammals like ringed seals, sea otter, and the endangered Steller sea lion.
Outstanding in this amazing wild ecosystem is Kurilskoye Lake, Kamchatka's second largest fresh water body. The lake was formed 8300-8400 years ago by a gigantic volcanic eruption and resulting subsidence of the earth. The Lake at its deepest 306 meters and is surrounded by a surreal volcanic and mountainous skyline commanded by Ilyinsky Volcano.
Besides bears, there is a chance to see red foxes trotting along the lakeshore, or if you are lucky, a river otter, or mink. The lake also boasts the highest population density of Steller sea eagles in the world. Every winter as heavy snowfall blankets the surrounding territory, from 300 to 700 of these giant raptors winter along the lakeshore, as well as 100 to 150 white-tailed sea eagles and 50 golden eagles making this one of the world's most important raptor refuges.
Millions of sockeye salmon pour into Kurilskoye Lake each summer, entering the Ozernaya River from the Sea of Okhotsk. This is the largest sockeye-spawning run in Asia and accounts for between 1.5 and 3.5 million fish with peak runs of over 6 million fish. Amazingly, this spawning and presence of sockeyes extends from July through March.
Visitors may fly to the Yujno-Kamchatsky Reserve with organized tour groups led by Kamchatka tourism firms. The same fees for visiting the reserve apply as are charged for visiting the Kronotsky Preserve. As this is a federal reserve, an inspector must accompany groups.
The lodge at Grassy Point has accommodations bunk-house style for up to 14 visitors. The cabin has electricity, outdoor toilets, and family style cooking and meals. From the lodge it is a short .8-kilometer hike down the lakeshore to a viewing platform where especially in August it is often possible to observe bears catching salmon running up the river entering the lake.