The Lepel Interdistrict Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection reminds about what to remember during winter fishing

The Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reminds anglers of the need to comply with environmental legislation and safety measures, so that their favourite pastime brings pleasure and is not overshadowed by unpleasant consequences.

One of the most common methods of catching predatory fish in winter is using winter tip-ups (stavki). In accordance with the Rules, the use of tip-ups, stavki and other similar systems and tackle during the dark hours of the day is prohibited. At the same time, the use of fishing gear of one or different types is permitted, with a total number of hooks not exceeding 5 per angler. An exception is made for members of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen (BOOR), who are allowed to use up to 10 tip-ups (stavki) per angler with a total number of hooks not exceeding 10. BOOR members are also permitted to engage in recreational fishing by methods such as underwater hunting (provided they have a permit for underwater hunting) and trolling from vessels with engines.

For certain species of fish, the Rules establish a commercial size, which is the size of the fish at which its catch is permitted. If the caught fish has not reached the required size, it must be released back into the fishing grounds alive. The length of the fish is determined by measuring the distance from the tip of the snout (with the mouth closed) to the base of the middle rays of the caudal fin (i.e., excluding the caudal fin).

It is important to remember that in order to prevent mass fish catches during their wintering period, the Rules establish a ban on recreational and commercial fishing in wintering pits from October 1 to April 15.

Violation of the Rules of Recreational Fishing and the Rules of Fishery Management may result in administrative or criminal liability.

In order to ensure safety and prevent accidents on water bodies in the winter period, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other departments pay great attention to informing the public about the rules of conduct on the ice. Nevertheless, every year thin ice becomes the cause of death for fishermen who have imprudently risked going fishing on unstable ice.

To avoid

the accident, the State Inspectorate reminds and recommends observing some rules of conduct on the ice:

– Do not forget to wear a life jacket.

– Do not go out on thin ice. A thickness of at least 7 centimeters is considered relatively safe. It can be identified by its colour – it is green or bluish-green; dirty and greyish-brown ice is, as a rule, not strong.

– Do not test the strength of the ice by stamping your feet. For this purpose, a stake or an ice-pick should be used. If the ice breaks through after the first strike and water appears on it, you should stop immediately and move back along your own tracks, taking the first steps without lifting your soles off the ice.

– Do not go out on the ice during a snowstorm or in darkness.

– It is forbidden to jump and run on the ice, or to gather in large groups.

– When moving on the ice in groups, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 5-6 meters from each other.

– One should refrain from using frozen rivers and lakes to shorten the way. In addition, thin ice is found near the mouths of rivers and tributaries, near springs and effluents, trees, bushes, and reeds.

– Amateur ice fishermen are recommended to have a rope (rope) 15-20 meters long with a loop at one end and a weight of 400-500 grams at the other (Alexander's rescue rope).

Senior State Inspector of Lepel MRPI O.V. Zhernosek