Amateur fishing in the Republic of Belarus is regulated by the Rules of Amateur Fishing and the Rules of Fishery Management (hereinafter referred to as the Rules). According to the Rules, amateur fishing is prohibited:
- from small vessels during dark hours;
- using кружки, жерлицы, ставки, колобашки and other similar systems and tackle during dark hours;
- using lighting devices;
- underwater hunting.
Thus, fishing during dark hours throughout the year is permitted only from the shore or from ice. This rule does not apply to the period when a ban on catching all types of fish is established, in the Vitebsk region from April 10 to June 8. During this time, fishing is carried out by an angler with one rod with one hook or one spinning rod equipped with an artificial lure, with one single, double, or treble hook in daylight hours from the shore (without entering the water) or from ice, from artificial structures.
According to the Rules, the concept of dark hours is the period of time, the course of which begins one hour after sunset and ends one hour before sunrise.
Administrative liability for violation of the Rules of Fishery Management and Fishing entails a fine of 10 to 30 base units.