June to September is the practical visiting window. July and August are the warmest months (20–25°C) and the lake is at its most photogenic, with full reed beds and maximum water level. The birdwatching is excellent throughout the summer. Migration periods — April to May and September to October — offer the best bird diversity, though early spring can still be cold (0–10°C).
The winter ice fishing spectacle (January to February) is worth seeing if you can tolerate the cold, which is severe: temperatures below minus 30°C are normal in January. The lake freezes thick enough to drive vehicles on by December. Most tourism infrastructure (yurt camps, boat hire) is closed from October to May.