Lithuania Lifts Catch Limits in Kaunas Lagoon to Boost Ecosystem
Major updates to Lithuania’s inland fishing regulations have officially come into force, introducing significant changes for recreational anglers and professional sports fishers alike. The Ministry of Environment has approved these amendments to address ecological imbalances in the country’s largest man-made body of water and to align local competitive fishing practices with international standards.
Unlimited Catch for Specific Species in Kaunas Lagoon
The most notable change for the general angling community concerns the Kaunas Lagoon. Effective immediately, there are no longer any limits on the quantity of roach, silver bream, and silver crucian carp that can be caught. Furthermore, these species will no longer be counted towards the total daily catch limit usually imposed on anglers.
This decision is rooted in environmental science rather than just recreation. Data indicates a significant increase in the biomass of these specific carp-family fish within the lagoon. By encouraging anglers to remove larger quantities of these species, the Ministry aims to improve the overall ecological health of the water body. A reduction in their numbers is expected to alleviate competition for food, thereby improving the nutritional conditions and growth rates for other, more sensitive fish populations.
New Framework for High-Level Sports Fishing
For the competitive angling community, the new rules provide much-needed flexibility during sanctioned events. Recognizing that high-level sports fishing often requires different handling of catches, the regulations now allow participants in “high-mastery” competitions to keep fish that would otherwise be subject to size or seasonal restrictions until the end of the event.
To qualify for this exemption, the competition must be organized by a sports federation that is a member of an international (world) sports federation. Additionally, the event must be coordinated with the Department of Environmental Protection, and the time and location must be published on the official sports fishing website at least 10 working days in advance. Crucially, all such fish must be released back into the water immediately after the competition concludes. During these events, fishing in the designated area is strictly reserved for registered participants.
Technical Gear Adjustments and River Protections
Anglers using modern equipment will notice a relaxation in gear restrictions. The maximum allowed length for elastic shock absorbers (commonly referred to as “rubbers”) has been doubled from 20 cm to 40 cm. These elastics are essential for anglers using non-stretch braided lines, as they provide necessary cushioning to prevent the line from snapping or the hook from tearing. The previous restriction was intended to curb a harmful fishing method where bait was mechanically winched into a spot, but the new 40 cm limit is seen as a fair compromise that supports legitimate modern techniques.
Conservation efforts have also been bolstered in specific river systems. New seasonal fishing bans have been introduced for the Šalčia and Šyša rivers to protect migrating trout and sea trout populations. Specifically, fishing is now prohibited from October 1 to December 31 in the Šalčia (from its mouth to the mouth of the Visinčia) and in the Šyša (above the Šilutė fish pass).
Technology and Predator Conservation
The Ministry has also expanded the list of water bodies where specific ecological restoration projects are underway. In these designated lakes and ponds, fishing for carp-family fish (excluding tench) is now free of charge and exempt from catch limits. However, this comes with stricter protections for predatory fish like pike and zander.
In these specific waters, predatory fish may only be targeted using artificial lures, and each angler is limited to a single rod. The daily limit is restricted to one pike and one zander, both of which must be at least 65 cm in length. Furthermore, a new “tech-tax” on conservation has been introduced: any angler using sonar or other electronic fish-finding devices must immediately release all pike and zander caught, regardless of their size or health. This rule aims to balance the technological advantage provided by modern electronics with the need to preserve breeding-age predators.
Source: ELTA
