Starting November 1, 2026, the traditional autumn ban on catching aquatic bioresources in wintering pits has come into effect across Ukraine's water bodies. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a publication by the press service of the State Agency for Land Reclamation, Fisheries, and Food Programs (State Fisheries Agency). The restrictions will last until the beginning of the spawning period in 2027, covering the entire autumn-winter season when fish migrate to deep areas of water bodies and prepare for winter.
Why the Ban Was Introduced and What Wintering Pits Are
According to Ihor Klymenok, Head of the State Fisheries Agency, protecting fish in wintering pits is crucial for the conservation and reproduction of aquatic bioresources. During this period, he noted, "aquatic inhabitants are especially vulnerable," so compliance with established restrictions allows them to survive the winter and ensure natural population reproduction. Wintering pits are depressions in water bodies where fish concentrate for the winter; fishing is strictly prohibited there first and foremost.
Where Exactly Fishing Is Banned: Orders and Coordinates
To protect aquatic bioresources and create favorable conditions for their wintering, the territorial departments of the State Fisheries Agency have issued relevant orders. These define the lists and boundaries of wintering pits for various regions — specifically, the exact areas where fishing is prohibited. The appendices to the orders for each region can be reviewed online on the agency's website, and geographical coordinates of the wintering pits are provided upon an official request to the respective territorial body of the State Fisheries Agency.
What Is Allowed: Fishing Rules During the Ban Period
Citizens have been reminded that during the seasonal ban, fishing is permitted exclusively outside of wintering pits. Meanwhile, fishing from the ice is allowed using winter rods and all types of tip-ups (zherlitsy), provided that the total number of hooks does not exceed seven per angler. Thus, the act of fishing itself in the winter period is not banned — the restriction applies specifically to wintering locations and certain types of tackle.
Prohibited Tackle and Liability for Violations
During the autumn-winter period — from freeze-up to ice breakup — it is prohibited to use fishing gear equipped with hooks where the distance from the shank to the tip of the barb exceeds 10 mm. Throughout the year, the use of single interconnected, double, and triple hooks is prohibited in designated cases. The law provides penalties for violating these restrictions, ranging from administrative fines to more severe liability. "For our part, we are stepping up patrols on water bodies and urging the fishing community to treat wintering fish responsibly," Ihor Klymenok summed up.
Separately, the agency has previously clarified related topics: why not all river fish are safe, whether caught fish should be released, and which species in Ukraine can be caught limitlessly without restrictions or fines. These clarifications complement the primary ban and help anglers navigate the rules throughout the year.
