Kovdozero, lake turned reservoir in Murmansk Oblast, Russia
Kovdozero is a large reservoir in Murmansk Oblast with over 580 islands ranging from rocky outcrops to forested land masses. The shoreline is mostly low and wooded, featuring sandy coves and rocky sections, while surrounding forests contain spruce, pine, and birch trees.
The lake's water level was raised in 1955 when it was used as a reservoir to support nearby facilities. This change significantly enlarged the water body and transformed the landscape for local communities who had long relied on it for fishing and travel.
The name Kovdozero comes from Finno-Ugric language and means "fish lake". Today the water and islands remain woven into daily life for people from nearby villages who gather here to fish and spend time outdoors.
Visit in summer when ice has melted and boats can move on the water, or in winter for ice fishing on the frozen surface. Most visitors arrive by car since there are no direct public transportation routes, and should expect unpaved roads.
The water typically freezes by late October or early November and stays frozen until mid-May, giving the lake an entirely different character. These long ice seasons transform the surface into a smooth playground for ice fishing and winter walks found nowhere else in the region.
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