The Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reminds that in order to preserve fish stocks and create favourable conditions for fish reproduction, restrictions and prohibitions on commercial and recreational fishing are established.
The protective measures are related to the onset of spawning for this species. Pike spawn earlier than other spring-spawning fish, as they are less demanding of water temperature and sometimes spawn even under ice.
Common pike lay eggs in March-April, at water temperatures from 4 to 6ºС. Spawning begins immediately after the ice melts and occurs in shallow waters, as well as in floodplains of rivers and streams. The timing and duration of spawning depend on climatic conditions and, primarily, on water warming.
This freshwater predator is very important for the balance of ichthyofauna. It acts as a regulator, destroying low-value fry, sick and weakened fish, which contributes to the better growth of valuable species and the improvement of their populations.
Thus, in the Vitebsk region, fishing for common pike is prohibited from March 9 to April 23, 2025.
Any pike accidentally caught during the prohibition period must be immediately released into its natural habitat (directly at the place of capture).
Fishing for pike during the spawning ban entails administrative or criminal liability.
For each illegally caught common pike, a fisherman will have to pay 9 base units, which amounts to 360 rubles. In this case, the offender will be brought to administrative responsibility under Part 1 of Article 16.25 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus and will be fined from 10 to 30 base units. Causing damage to the amount of one hundred or more base units entails criminal liability under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of a fine, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for a term of up to two years, or imprisonment for a term of up to three years.
If a case of catching common pike during the fishing ban is detected, the Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora requests to report it by phone: 8 (02132) 3-43-85, +375 29 291-42-55, +375 29 715-11-73.