Main points
- The ban on pike fishing in Ukraine ends on April 1, but other restrictions for fishermen remain in effect.
- The daily catch rate is 3 kilograms, plus one common pike, the size of which exceeds 50 centimeters.
What fish will be allowed to be caught in Ukraine from April 1 / Photo by Pexels
The rules of amateur fishing in Ukraine will soon change. The ban on catching one species of freshwater predator will cease to be in effect on April 1.
What ban will be lifted in Ukraine?
This is a preventive measure to ensure favorable conditions for spawning migration and natural population reproduction. Details were reported by the State Ecological Inspectorate.
The ban on catching pike was in effect from February 15 to March 31, 2026. This period is due to the unique biological cycle of the predator, whose spawning activity begins much earlier than that of other fish – at a water temperature of 3-5 degrees Celsius.
During this period, pike actively migrate to shallow areas where their eggs and milk mature. And since the fish is most vulnerable to capture during spawning, this can negatively affect the reproduction of its population.
Interesting! Pike regulates the number of small and weakened fish, maintaining the ecological balance in water bodies.
The State Fisheries Agency reminds that during the ban, punishments are provided – from an administrative fine to criminal liability. In addition, there is a question of compensation for damages, and compensation for one specimen of illegally caught pike (regardless of its size and weight) is 3,468 hryvnias .
However, even though the ban on pike fishing ends on April 1, a number of other restrictions for fishermen remain in place.
The daily catch limit is 3 kilograms , plus one additional individual whose size exceeds the minimum allowed for catch (for common pike, this is 50 centimeters ).
If you catch a fish that is smaller than the minimum size allowed, carefully remove it and release it back into the water.
– the fish protection patrol warns.
Useful! The Fishing Calendar reports on good days for fishing in April 2026.
What should you know about other prohibitions?
-
As a reminder, catching crayfish is prohibited in Ukraine until June 30. The exception is the reservoirs of Transcarpathia, where the Red Book broad-toothed crayfish lives, so restrictions there are in effect permanently.
-
However, there are no bans on some fish species at all, due to their excessive numbers or negative impact on local fauna. These include the carp, the redfish, the dwarf American catfish, the smallmouth bass, the sunfish, the tulka, and the Amur bream.