Fishing ban during spawning season in the Astrakhan region in 2025

Fishing Rules in the Astrakhan Region: Download

ATTENTION! In accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia dated November 7, 2024 No. 668 "On the establishment of restrictions on industrial and recreational fishing in relation to certain types of aquatic biological resources in water bodies of the Volga-Caspian fishery basin in 2025" (registered in the Ministry of Justice of Russia on November 22, 2024 No. 80294, entered into force on January 1, 2025) in 2025:

1. Industrial fishing (except for permitted bycatch in accordance with fishing regulations) and recreational fishing for roach in the Caspian Sea, in the Volga River and its watercourses within the boundaries of the Astrakhan Region and water bodies within the boundaries of the Republic of Kalmykia are prohibited until December 31, 2025.

2. Industrial and recreational fishing for roach in water bodies in the Ikryaninsky, Kamyzyaksky, Volodarsky, Limansky, Krasnoyarsk, Narimanovsky and Privolzhsky districts of the Astrakhan region is prohibited until December 31, 2025.

Citizens have the right to engage in recreational fishing in public water bodies in the Astrakhan Region freely and without charge, subject to the Fishing Rules for the Volga-Caspian Fishery Basin, approved by Order No. 695 of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation dated October 13, 2022.

In accordance with the Fishing Rules for the Volga-Caspian Fishery Basin

Recreational fishing is prohibited:

- during restricted periods: from May 16 to June 20 - everywhere, with the exception of water bodies of fishery importance within the administrative boundaries of populated areas;

from April 1 to June 30 – crayfish;

- in relation to certain types of aquatic bioresources: sturgeon species of fish, herring, except for black-backed herring, kutum, whitefish, vimba, barbel, burbot, badyagi.

Hunting of Caspian seals is prohibited;

- in restricted areas: the Volga restricted pre-estuary area, spawning grounds of sturgeon fish species, spawning grounds of semi-anadromous and river fish, wintering pits;

- in flooded quarries and ponds (including those formed by water-retaining structures on watercourses) used for pond aquaculture and not owned by citizens or legal entities, and in water bodies used in the process of functioning of melioration systems (including irrigation systems);

- other water bodies provided for the implementation of commercial aquaculture (commercial fish farming), with the exception of cases where, in accordance with federal laws, the extraction (catch) of aquatic animals and plants that are not aquaculture objects is permitted on the said water bodies. Citizens are prohibited from extracting (catch) aquaculture objects within the boundaries of fish farming areas without the consent of the fish farms - users of the fish farming areas;

- on inland waterways used for navigation (except for areas in which no interference is created with water transport in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation);

- within the protected zones of hydropower facilities, including hydraulic structures;

- at a distance of less than 0.5 km from the territory of fish farms, as well as from cages for growing and keeping fish;

- during periods of release of young fish by fish-breeding organizations and from the end of the said periods for 15 days in water bodies of fishery importance at a distance of less than 0.5 km in all directions from the release sites, with the exception of the harvesting (catching) of predatory and low-value fish species in order to prevent the consumption of young aquatic biological resources at the sites of their release;

- from vessels and self-propelled floating transport vehicles that are not registered in accordance with the established procedure (with the exception of vessels and self-propelled floating transport vehicles that are not subject to state registration).

When engaging in recreational fishing, citizens are prohibited from:

- throw away (destroy) or release harvested (caught) aquatic biological resources permitted for harvesting (catch), with the exception of recreational fishing carried out with the subsequent release of harvested (caught) aquatic biological resources into the natural habitat in a living form with minimal damage;

- to move along rivers, lakes, reservoirs and their channels on all types of small and pleasure craft using motors during prohibited times (periods) and in prohibited areas, with the exception of the use of motorized vessels and self-propelled floating vehicles for fishing under permits for the extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources;

- allow pollution of water bodies of fishery importance and deterioration of the natural habitat of aquatic biological resources;

- be on water bodies and territories adjacent to the coastline, at a distance of less than 500 m, with prohibited net fishing gear.

When fishing for recreation, the use of:

- networks of all types;

- traps of all types and designs, with the exception of crayfish traps made from non-bearing materials;

- firearms and pneumatic weapons, crossbows and bows;

- trawling and dredging gear for extraction (catch);

net straining and meshing tools for catching (fishing) and devices;

- piercing tools for harvesting (catching), with the exception of recreational fishing carried out using special pistols and guns for underwater hunting;

- traps, hook-type traps;

During recreational fishing, the extraction (catching) of aquatic biological resources is prohibited:

- by means of snagging, stunning, and driving (including with the help of clanging and baiting);

- using lighting devices and lanterns of various designs from the surface and in the water column from sunset to sunrise (dark time of day) for the extraction (catch) of aquatic bioresources, with the exception of underwater hunting, fishing using fishing rods (including bottom fishing rods) and spinning gear of all systems and types, as well as crayfish traps made of non-bearing materials (for illumination);

- by means of the installation of backwaters, fences, pins, dams and other types of barriers that partially or completely block the bed of reservoirs and watercourses and impede the free movement of fish;

- crayfish by hand, wading or diving.

When fishing for recreation, the following is prohibited:

- discharge of water bodies of fishery importance for the purpose of harvesting (catching) aquatic bioresources;

- installation of huts and other stationary structures on the ice of water bodies of fishery importance, with the exception of portable windbreaks;

- the extraction (catching) of aquatic biological resources at a distance of less than 50 meters from the locations of stationary gear for the extraction (catching) of aquatic biological resources, marked with buoys or poles with flags, used in accordance with permits for extraction (catching);

- the extraction (catching) of aquatic biological resources using a rowing vessel with the use of no more than two baits per vessel (per track), as well as using a sail and (or) a motor with the use of no more than two baits per vessel or self-propelled floating vehicle (trolling).

Spearfishing enthusiasts visiting the Astrakhan region should remember that spearfishing is prohibited:

- in areas prohibited and closed for fishing, during periods (times) prohibited for the extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources;

- in places of mass and organized recreation of citizens;

- using scuba diving equipment and other self-contained breathing apparatus;

- using individual electronic means for detecting aquatic biological resources underwater;

- using fishing gear used for underwater fishing (catching) of aquatic biological resources above the surface of water bodies, including using special pistols and guns for underwater hunting from the shore and from the board of self-propelled floating vehicles and wading

The following fishing gear and methods are permitted for fishing in the Astrakhan region:

- a float rod, which may consist of the following several components: a rod, including one with guide rings, a device for winding and unwinding the fishing line and (or) cord (hereinafter, respectively, the reel, the winder), fishing line and (or) cord, a float, weights, leaders and hooks, baits and lures on the hooks;

- a summer fishing rod with a side bite alarm (hereinafter referred to as a nod), which may consist of a rod, including guide rings, a reel, a winder, a fishing line and (or) a cord, a nod, one or two spoons - jigs (hereinafter referred to as jigs); it may be additionally equipped with a rubber shock absorber, hooks, bait and bait on jigs and hooks;

- a bottom fishing rod, which may consist of the following components: a rod (with or without guides) or whip, a reel and/or a winder, a fishing line and/or cord, a shock absorber, a bite alarm, sinkers, a feeder with bait, hook baits and lures, leaders, and hooks. When using hook bait made of pressed raw material (hereinafter referred to as oilcake traps), no more than two hooks are allowed on one bottom fishing rod;

- baits of different shapes and colors, with hooks (single, double or triple), attached rigidly or movably;

- a winter fishing rod, which may consist of a rod (including one with guide rings), a reel, a fishing line and/or cord, a leader, a sinker, a float, a bite alarm, a hook and/or baits with hooks (single, double or treble), attached rigidly or movably, baits and lures on hooks;

- stationary fishing gear (catching gear) for catching fish with live bait, consisting of a reel or reel, bite alarm, fishing line and (or) cord, leashes and hooks, bait on hooks (hereinafter referred to as tip-ups) (no more than 5 pieces per citizen);

- freely floating on the surface of the water gear for catching fish using live bait, consisting of a reel - a circle with a rod, fishing line and (or) cord, leashes and hooks, bait on hooks (hereinafter referred to as circles);

- special guns and pistols for underwater hunting;

- a spinning rod consisting of a rod with guides and a handle to which a removable reel with fishing line or cord is attached. It is equipped with a single lure and hooks (single, double, or treble), and can be attached to a leader (hereinafter referred to as a spinning rod). Additionally, a hookless sinker, as well as streamers or single hooks with bait and lures, can be used;

- fly fishing tackle, including a rod with guides and a handle on which a reel with a fly line, leader, and leader is attached, equipped with one bait with one hook (single, double or treble) (hereinafter referred to as fly fishing);

- crayfish traps made from non-bearing materials (in quantities of no more than three per citizen), each parameter of permitted crayfish traps (length, width, height - for polygonal, height, diameter - for conical and cylindrical) must not exceed 80 cm, with an opening size of at least 22 mm;

- a hand net or landing net of various designs in a quantity of no more than one per citizen, used only as an auxiliary device for extracting aquatic biological resources from water, obtained (caught) with permitted fishing (catching) equipment;

- hoists and scoops made of non-bearing materials (no more than one piece per citizen) with dimensions (length, width, height) of no more than 100 cm and openings no more than 10 mm (including those used with bait) for the extraction (catching) of live bait, except for particularly valuable and valuable species of fish;

- extraction (catching) with a floating device of various designs, operating on the principle of a wing in a water flow, for moving and holding a fishing line or cord with hooks or bait with hooks in the water current (hereinafter referred to as a boat);

- catch (prey) on the track;

- catching (getting caught) by trolling;

- catching (getting) fish using a kwok beater, which produces gurgling sounds when hitting the water (hereinafter referred to as catching (getting) fish using a kwok).

One single, one double or one treble hook counts as one hook.

The total number of hooks used on all fishing gear (catching) per citizen is permitted:

- on water bodies in the Astrakhan region - no more than five hooks, with the exception of tip-ups and mugs. All tip-ups and/or mugs may have a total of no more than 10 hooks;

- In waters of the Astrakhan Region: double hooks or treble hooks are permitted only when fishing with spinning rods, fly fishing, spoon fishing, ice fishing rods, tip-up rigs, trolling, and boat rigs. For double hooks and treble hooks, the distance between the shank and the point must be no more than 14 mm. For hooks used with a kwok, the distance between the shank and the point must be no more than 16 mm.

Fishermen should also avoid catching fish smaller than the established minimum size (cm).

The commercial size of aquatic bioresources is determined in fresh form:

in fish - by measuring the length from the tip of the snout (with the mouth closed) to the base of the middle rays of the caudal fin;

in freshwater catfish - by measuring from the tip of the snout (with the mouth closed) to the end of the longest ray of the caudal fin, at the minimum angle of divergence of the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin;

in crustaceans - by measuring the body from the line connecting the middle of the eyes to the end of the tail plates.

Extracted (caught) aquatic biological resources that are shorter than the permitted length must be immediately released into their natural habitat with minimal damage.

The daily norm for the extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources (except for cases when a permanent or temporary ban on the extraction (catch) of such aquatic biological resources is established during recreational fishing) for each citizen during recreational fishing is indicated in the table

The total daily catch limit for all types of aquatic biological resources, including those not listed in the table, is no more than 10 kg or one specimen if its weight exceeds 10 kg, with the exception of crucian carp, for which no daily limit is established.

If the total daily limit is exceeded, the extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources is stopped.

The harvesting (catch) of aquatic biological resources is permitted in an amount no greater than one daily quota during a 24-hour stay on a water body. If a stay on a water body lasts more than one day, regardless of the subsequent time spent on the water body, the amount of aquatic biological resources harvested (caught) is permitted to be no more than two daily harvesting (catch) quotas. Harvested aquatic biological resources are counted in any form.

ATTENTION! Citizens found guilty of violating the Fishing Regulations will be held accountable under Russian Federation law.

When brought to administrative responsibility for violating the rules governing fishing, citizens may be fined from two thousand to five thousand rubles, with or without confiscation of the vessel and other equipment for the extraction (catch) of aquatic biological resources (Part 2 of Article 8.37 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

Illegal extraction of aquatic biological resources may result in criminal liability under Article 256 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation if this act is committed:

a) causing major damage;

b) using a self-propelled floating vehicle or explosives and chemical substances, electric current or other prohibited tools and methods of mass destruction of aquatic biological resources;

c) in spawning grounds or on migration routes to them;

d) in specially protected natural areas or in an environmental disaster zone or in an environmental emergency zone.

a) causing major damage;

b) using a self-propelled floating vehicle or explosives and chemical substances, electric current or other methods of mass extermination of the said aquatic animals and plants;

c) in spawning grounds or on migration routes to them;

d) in specially protected natural areas or in an environmental disaster zone or in an environmental emergency zone.

For this crime, the convicted person shall be punished by a fine in the amount of three hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period of two to three years, or by correctional labor for a term of up to two years, or by imprisonment for the same term.

In addition, the fisherman must remember that while fishing, he is within the boundaries of water protection zones of rivers, lakes, streams, canals (50-200 m from the shoreline, depending on the length of the watercourse), where a special regime for the implementation of economic and other activities is in effect in order to prevent pollution, clogging, siltation of the said water bodies and the depletion of their waters, as well as the preservation of the habitat of aquatic biological resources and other objects of the animal and plant world.

Within the boundaries of water protection zones, the movement and parking of vehicles (except for special vehicles) is prohibited, with the exception of their movement on roads and parking on roads and in specially equipped places with a hard surface.

Violation of this prohibition entails administrative liability in the form of a fine for citizens in the amount of three thousand to four thousand five hundred rubles (Part 1 of Article 8.42 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

After finishing fishing, when leaving the reservoir, you must clean up after yourself.

It's important to remember that trash left in outdoor recreation areas can cause fires during hot, dry weather. If you find yourself in a wildfire zone, call 112 immediately.

Dear amateur fishermen!

Observe fishing regulations and protect nature.

and then fishing will bring you only pleasure!

If you discover any violations in the area of fisheries and conservation of aquatic biological resources and their habitats, you can call the hotline of the Volga-Caspian Territorial Administration of the Federal Agency for Fisheries at 8 (8512) 30-21-22, or by email at astrakhan @ vktu . fish . gov . ru with attached photos and videos.

Detailed information can be found on the official website of the Volga-Caspian Territorial Administration of the Federal Agency for Fisheries.