Summer holidays by the water for many Ukrainians are not just about relaxation, but also about exciting fishing. However, the pleasure of catching a zander, pike, or bream can turn into serious financial losses if you are not familiar with the current rules. The State Agency for Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs (State Fishery Agency) has published a detailed guide warning fishing enthusiasts about possible fines.

Minimum sizes: who might get caught on the hook

To ensure that a holiday does not turn into an administrative offense, anglers must clearly know the minimum allowable sizes of aquatic bio-resources. According to the rules of recreational fishing, catching fish that has not reached certain dimensions is strictly prohibited. The size of fish (with the exception of rays) is measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle.

The strictest requirements apply to the European catfish: its length must be at least 80 cm. The following limits are set for predators:

  • Pike — from 50 cm;
  • Common zander — from 42 cm;
  • Vendace — from 30 cm;
  • Coregonus — from 25 cm;
  • Grayling and asp — from 24 cm;
  • Bream — from 22 cm.

Softer norms apply to tench, brook trout, and common roach — they can be caught from 20 cm. The situation with roach and taran depends on the fishing location: in the Dnieper reservoirs, a limit of 18 cm applies, while in other inland water bodies, their size is not regulated. For all other fish species, there are no minimum size restrictions.

Special rules for crayfish and rare species

Hunting for river crayfish is also regulated by law. The minimum permitted size is measured along the back and is 8 cm for white crayfish and 6 cm for other species. It is important to remember that catching representatives of ichthyofauna listed in the Red Book of Ukraine is completely prohibited, regardless of their size.

If a fish that does not meet the standards is caught on the hook, it must be released immediately. Barbaric treatment of aquatic resources entails not only moral responsibility but also material liability.

Financial consequences of violations

Fines for violating fishing rules in Ukraine are significant. The fee for one illegally caught fish specimen can reach considerable amounts, making poaching economically unprofitable. It is worth noting separately that the fine for illegal crayfish catching is 3,332 hryvnias per individual.

The State Fishery Agency urges citizens to comply with environmental legislation and fish responsibly to preserve the wealth of Ukrainian nature for future generations.