Main points
- The most successful days for fishing in May 2026 are May 5, 6, and the period from May 19 to 24, and a weak bite is expected on May 4, 10 – 13, 27, 28.
- In May, fish are active closer to shore, and both animal and plant baits work best, but spawning restrictions should be observed.
When to fish in May / Channel 24 collage
May opens the active fishing season, but the bite will be uneven. The phases of the moon, weather conditions, and spawning restrictions play a decisive role.
When is the best time to fish in May?
With the onset of May, water bodies gradually warm up, and fish emerge from winter passivity and begin to actively feed, reports the Vinnytsia Fish Protection Patrol. This is one of the most promising periods for fishing, but you should not expect a stable bite throughout the month.
The beginning of May falls on a full moon, so in the first days fish activity will be minimal. During the waning moon, the situation gradually improves, but the real peak of biting is expected after the new moon – in the second half of the month, when the moon begins to grow.
The most successful days for fishing will be May 5, 6, and the period from May 19 to 24. The 7th to 9th, 18th, 25th, and 26th are also considered quite good . The weak bite will be on May 4, 10th to 13th, 27th, and 28th. However, on and around the full moon days – in particular, the 1st to 3rd, 14th to 17th, and at the end of the month – the bite will be weak or absent altogether.
What tackle and bait work best?
In May, fish actively stay closer to the shore – in warm shallow water areas, bays and places with vegetation. The most promising areas remain areas with a weak current and a depth of up to two meters.
During this period, both animal and plant baits work well. Fish readily respond to worms, maggots, and bloodworms, as well as bread, semolina, pearl barley, and corn. Among peaceful fish, crucian carp, roach, rudd, and tench actively bite, and predators – pike, perch, and zander – also begin to feed actively after spawning.
Please note! At the same time, it is important to remember about spawning restrictions: in May, fishing is only allowed from the shore and using permitted gear. Failure to comply with these rules may result in fines and damage to the fish population.
This fish cannot be caught in May – what are the rules for fishermen in Ukraine?
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In May, a spawning ban continues in Ukraine, so fishing during this period is only allowed from the shore.
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Catching Red Book fish species is always prohibited, and small individuals must be released back into the reservoir.
Violation of the relevant requirements is punishable by a fine, ranging from administrative fines to criminal liability, as well as compensation for damages caused to the economy.