For the first time in Ukraine, a separate ban on pike fishing will be in effect

Pike is a desirable catch for many fishing enthusiasts. But soon, fishermen will have to take a break, necessary to successfully restore the populations of this valuable species of freshwater predators.

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As of February 15, 2023, in accordance with the new rules of recreational and sport fishing, a ban on harvesting (fishing) pike during the spawning period is established in all fishing water bodies (parts thereof), which will be in effect until March 31.

This ban is introduced in Ukraine for the first time and will finally correspond to the logic of the process of development of this type of fish. After all, pike is one of the few fish in our reservoirs whose spawning activity begins at a water temperature of 3-5°C, which is lower compared to the spawning temperatures of other species.

In order to protect spawners in the pre-spawning and spawning periods, the term of the spawning ban on catching pike should extend not only to the period of spawning, but also to the time of pre-spawning activity. After all, the immediate spawning of the pike is preceded by the pre-spawning migration, during which the final maturation of the roe in females and milk in males takes place. And its breeders need special protection during mass spawning migrations, during which the pike is very vulnerable to catching.

At the same time, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that illegal fishing of pike is subject to penalties ranging from administrative to criminal liability, as well as compensation for damages caused to the fishery. Compensation for one illegally caught pike is UAH 3,468.

We also remind fishermen about the ban on catching fish in wintering pits, which will be in effect until the beginning of the spring-summer spawning ban in 2023.

The Aquaculturists

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