Main points
- Ukrainians can fish for free on most rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, unless they are protected areas, according to the Water Code of Ukraine.
- Fishing on leased ponds may be subject to a fee if the lessee has established rules agreed with local authorities and the relevant information is open to fishermen.
Where to fish for free in Ukraine / Pexels
Many Ukrainians enjoy fishing, as it is not only a form of leisure but also a great way to relax from everyday worries. However, you can't fish for free at all ponds.
Where can you fish for free?
In most cases, Ukrainians have the right to fish for free according to the Water Code of Ukraine.
According to Article 46 of this document, there are two types of water use in the state:
- general;
- and special;
Ukrainians have the right to use water bodies under the conditions of general water use. This means that anyone can relax near the water for free, swim, boat, and engage in amateur or sport fishing without special permits.
That is, you can fish for free in most rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, unless they are protected areas.
Please note! According to the Rules of Amateur Fishing, amateur fishermen on public bodies of water can use a variety of fishing rods or spinning rods, but with a restriction of no more than five hooks per person.
Is it possible to fish for free on rented ponds?
At the same time, many ponds in Ukraine are rented out. The fact of renting does not mean an automatic ban on fishing.
However, the lessee has the right to set his own rules, for example, to limit the catch or make it payable . But there are two mandatory conditions for this:
- the rules must be officially approved by the local authority (local council or state administration);
- The information should be open to fishermen, for example, placed in the form of signs or banners near the reservoir.
If there are no warnings or rules, it is considered that fishing in the pond is free.
Important! Before fishing, you should carefully inspect the pond or check the information to avoid disputes with the owner. After all, if the reservoir is officially leased, fishing in it may be considered a violation of the law and will entail significant fines, and in severe cases, even criminal liability.
Who has fishing privileges?
Typically, a fishing fee is imposed in several cases:
- on water bodies that the authorities have transferred to public organizations;
- on some small rivers;
- in ponds where the tenant raises fish.
In such places, fishing is often only allowed with membership cards or special paid permits .
However, even on paid reservoirs, there are categories of people who can fish for free (with a license):
- children under 16 years of age;
- people with disabilities of groups I and II;
- Chernobyl accident liquidators of categories I and II.
At the same time, children can only fish independently from the shore.
Important! Fishing is prohibited in reserves and nature conservation areas, in specialized fish farms, in water bodies for technical or drinking purposes, and in places where a complete ban on fishing has been established.
When is the spawning ban on fishing in effect?
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The annual spawning ban on fishing began in Ukraine on April 1. During this period, restrictions on fish catch are introduced, and the specific terms depend on the type of reservoir and region.
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In particular, the ban on the Dnipro Reservoir will come into effect on April 5, and on the Kyiv, Kaniv, Kremenchuk, Kamian, Dniester, and Pecheneg reservoirs, as well as on the Dnipro and Desna rivers – on April 10.
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At this time, not only fishing is prohibited, but also movement on water bodies by vehicles and motor boats, spearfishing, and commercial fishing.
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Violations of the rules are subject to liability: for minor violations, the fine is from 170 hryvnias, while for more serious violations it can reach 680 hryvnias. In addition, compensation is calculated separately for each illegally caught fish.