Lithuania Updates Fishing Rules: New Limits and Ecological Protections

The Lithuanian Ministry of Environment has officially implemented significant changes to the Rules for Amateur Fishing in Inland Waters. These updates, designed to balance ecological health with the needs of both recreational and professional anglers, introduce a shift in how specific species are managed, particularly in the country’s largest man-made body of water, the Kaunas Lagoon.

Unlimited Catch for Specific Species in Kaunas Lagoon

One of the most notable changes for recreational fishers concerns the Kaunas Lagoon. Due to a significant increase in the biomass of certain carp-like fish—specifically roach, silver bream, and Prussian carp—the Ministry has removed all catch limits for these species in this location. These fish will no longer be counted toward the total daily catch limit.

This decision is rooted in ecological management. Environmental scientists have determined that the current overpopulation of these species negatively impacts the water body’s ecological status. By encouraging anglers to remove more roach and bream, the government aims to reduce competition for food resources, ultimately improving the habitat and growth rates for other high-value fish species.

New Flexibility for Sports Fishing Competitions

In a move to align Lithuanian practices with international standards, the new rules provide greater flexibility for high-level sports fishing events. For competitions organized by federations that are members of international sporting bodies, participants are now permitted to keep fish that would otherwise be restricted due to size or seasonal bans, provided they are kept alive until the end of the event.

Key requirements for these competitions include:
* Coordination: Organizers must coordinate with the Department of Environmental Protection.
* Transparency: Event details must be published on the official sports fishing website (www.sportinezukle.lt) at least 10 working days in advance.
* Catch and Release: All restricted fish must be released back into the water immediately after the competition concludes.
* Exclusivity: During the announced competition times, fishing in the designated area is reserved exclusively for participants.

Modernizing Gear and River Protections

Technical regulations regarding fishing gear have also been relaxed. The maximum length for elastic shock absorbers (used primarily with braided lines to prevent breakage) has been increased from 20 cm to 40 cm. The original restriction was intended to prevent a specific harmful fishing method where bait is dragged into position, but the new limit acknowledges the practical needs of modern anglers using non-stretch lines.

Conservation efforts are also being ramped up in specific river systems. New seasonal bans have been introduced to protect brown trout and sea trout:
* Šalčia River: Fishing is prohibited from the mouth to the Visinčia junction between October 1 and December 31.
* Šyša River: A ban is in effect above the Šilutė fish pass during the same period.

Targeted Ecological Improvement in Specific Lakes

For a selected list of water bodies identified for ecological restoration, the rules now actively encourage the removal of carp-like fish while strictly protecting predators. In these designated lakes:
* Carp-like fish: Fishing is free (no permit required) and catch limits are removed (except for tench).
* Predatory fish: Anglers are restricted to using artificial lures only, with a maximum of one rod per person. The daily limit is strictly one pike and one zander, both of which must be at least 65 cm in length.
* Sonar Technology: In a significant move for modern conservation, any angler using sonar or fish-finding devices in these specific lakes must immediately release all pike and zander caught, regardless of size.

Source: ELTA

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