Koran Trout of Pogradec

The koran is a trout of the genus Salmo found only in Lake Ohrid, a species that has been isolated in the lake for a very long time and is one of the reasons the lake is considered biologically significant, and it is the fish that Pogradec restaurants are known for, served grilled over charcoal or baked, usually whole and priced by weight. It is a firm fish with a distinct flavour and it is expensive by Albanian standards. Stocks have fallen sharply from overfishing and there are closed seasons and size limits, along with a hatchery programme on both the Albanian and North Macedonian sides, so restaurants should be selling farmed or legally caught fish and the question of which is worth asking.

What you actually see

• A trout found only in Ohrid - a species isolated in this lake.
• Grilled over charcoal - the standard preparation on the lakefront.
• Priced and served whole - bought by weight from the display.
• Closed seasons and limits - the protection the depleted stock needs.

When to go

Year round in restaurants, though fishing seasons are closed at times and menus should reflect that. One to two hours. Lakefront restaurants at Pogradec are the place. Lunch is the traditional meal for it.

Honest expectations

Wild stocks are depleted and illegal fishing continues, so ask whether the fish is farmed and be prepared to choose something else. It is expensive. Some restaurants substitute other trout and call it koran. Bones are numerous.

Nearby

The Pogradec lakefront is where the restaurants are; Lin lies north.