Lithuania bans whitefish fishing and restricts river angling

A ban on catching whitefish and fishing in rivers important to salmonid migration and spawning takes effect on October 1 and runs through the end of the year, LRT reported.

The restrictions cover more than 160 rivers or stretches listed in the rules for recreational inland fishing. The Environment Ministry says many are important for brown trout migration and spawning, while salmon and sea trout also enter some of them.

The ban also applies to the Merkys River upstream of Ožkelaičiai Bridge. Recreational fishing permits for brown trout will not be issued for that stretch during the restricted period.

Separate rules to protect migrating salmon are in force from September 16 to October 15. In designated river stretches, anglers must have a salmon fishing permit, and fishing is prohibited from more than an hour after sunset until more than an hour before sunrise.

The Neris River, a popular destination for salmon anglers, is among the rivers covered by these rules. To protect fish migrating up the Vilnia River, fishing is prohibited on the Neris between King Mindaugas Bridge and Žirmūnai Bridge. Downstream, from the Neris mouth to J. Ralio Street Bridge in Jonava, anglers may fish with a recreational fishing ticket.

A recreational fishing ticket is also sufficient on the Neris between Žirmūnai and Valakupiai bridges in Vilnius. However, artificial lures and fish bait are prohibited there from September 16 through the end of the year.

People under 18, state social insurance pensioners and people with disabilities are exempt from the permit requirement because they have the right to fish free of charge. Without a permit, however, they may not use artificial lures or fish bait. Anglers are also reminded that fishing is prohibited in designated stretches around river tributaries.

Limited salmon fishing is not organised on the Nemunas River, where a recreational fishing ticket is sufficient. Any salmon or sea trout caught there must be released, as in other rivers during the autumn season.