Main points
- Illegal fishing during spawning is punishable by fines: you will have to pay for each individual.
- During spawning, fishing is allowed only from the shore, with one fishing rod and two hooks, and with a limit of 3 kilograms of fish per person.
Restrictions for fishermen in spring / Photo by Pexels
The spring fishing season is starting, and soon – spawning. It is important to know that illegal fishing can cost fishermen not just a few kilograms of catch, but tens of thousands in fines.
What you need to know about fishing in the spring of 2026?
The legislative “Rules of Amateur Fishing” states what restrictions apply to spring fishing.
To protect fish during their vulnerable period, Ukraine has appropriate rules. In particular, there are established periods when fishing is prohibited. Most often, this is spawning. It is precisely to preserve aquatic biological resources that restrictions are in place.
Important! Spawning is a period when fish reproduce and need peace. Any human intervention can be harmful.
The process has been ongoing since April 1. But the completion date will vary depending on the location:
- in rivers and their tributaries – spawning lasts until May 30 ;
- in reservoirs, lakes and bays – until June 19 .
In particular, it is worth considering that from November 1 until the beginning of the spawning season (April 1), there is a restriction on catching fish in wintering pits.
Please note: Pike fishing is prohibited from February 15 to March 31.
At the same time, there is a ban on catching crayfish until June 30. After that, no more than 30 crayfish can be caught per person.
What is the liability for violations?
If you do not follow the rules, you will have to pay fines, writes Novini.LIVE. For example, illegally catching a pike will cost 3,468 hryvnias. For each crayfish caught during the prohibited period – 3,332 hryvnias.
The “Fishing World” resource also lists fines for illegal fishing for other fish:
- Som – 5,117 hryvnias per unit;
- pike perch – 3,587 hryvnias per one;
- bream – 1,564 hryvnias per one;
- perch – 3,162 hryvnias per one;
- Carp – 3,587 hryvnias per one.
Please note! Compensation is calculated for each individual. That is, if you are caught with 5 caught catfish, the fine will be: 5,117 hryvnias multiplied by 5 (individual fish). The total will be 25,585 hryvnias .
In particular, there is a bycatch rate (the proportion of fish that does not meet the established minimum size), which should not exceed 10%.
What are the allowable fish catch rates in 2026?
Catch limits are created to avoid depletion of fish resources, particularly during the spawning period, in the spring.
The daily limit per person is 3 kilograms of fish of one species. However, during spawning, fishing is allowed with only 1 rod and 2 hooks.
Fishing is allowed from the shore so as not to further affect the vulnerable state of the fish.
What else is known about fishing and its fines?
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In 2025, Ukrainian fishermen resumed fishing in the northwestern Atlantic. They managed to catch 44.7 thousand tons of fish there.
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At the same time, in Ukraine, fines for illegal fishing in February reached 85 thousand hryvnias.