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Rules

Nationwide seasonal rules. Special waters and regional periods

Based on Cabinet Regulation No. 800, wording in force from 10.01.2026. For licensed waters and municipal regulations, always verify the local conditions before fishing.

Nationwide seasonal rules

Species closure Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Lampreys may not be kept all year round

Lampreys may not be retained in recreational fishing, crayfishing or spearfishing catches throughout the year.

Law reference: 23.1
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Salmon and sea trout may not be kept in inland waters all year round

Exceptions apply only to the Buļļupe, the Dry Daugava, the Daugava from the sea upstream to Riga HPP and licensed fishing waters.

Law reference: 23.2.1 Exception: Buļļupe, the Dry Daugava, the Daugava from the sea upstream to Riga HPP, and licensed fishing waters.
Method restriction Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fishing from bridges and under bridge structures is prohibited all year round

Fish may not be taken from bridges or from beneath bridge structures at any time of year.

Law reference: 26.3
Method restriction Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fishing gear and hook limits must be observed

In inland waters, one person may use two fishing rods at the same time, each with no more than three hooks. On the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coast, three rods are allowed, while at least two nautical miles offshore the number of rods is not limited; the three-hook limit per rod still applies.

Law reference: 13.1; 13.2
Method restriction Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

You may not move more than 50 metres away from your fishing gear

While fishing, a person may not be farther than 50 metres from their gear.

Law reference: 15.6
Special waters Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fish may not be taken in river and canal mouth areas all year round

The ban applies in the mouth areas of rivers and canals flowing into the sea, both seaward and 200 metres upstream, subject to the specific exceptions for shore fishing and permitted sea-side piers in the rules.

Law reference: 26.1
Special waters Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fish may not be taken within 100 metres downstream of waterfalls, dams and sluices

Fishing is prohibited all year round within 100 metres downstream of waterfalls, spillways, dams and sluices.

Law reference: 26.2
Special waters Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fish may not be taken within 50 metres of commercial fishing gear and fishways

Fishing, crayfishing and spearfishing are prohibited closer than 50 metres to properly marked commercial fishing gear, fish-farm cages and fishway structures.

Law reference: 26.4
Reporting duty Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Coastal catches in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga must be reported on makskeresanaskarte.lv

Catches of selected species in coastal waters must be registered and reported on makskeresanaskarte.lv.

Law reference: 11.5
Reporting duty Recurring period: 1. Jan - 31. Dec

Fishing requires a valid card, and licensed waters also require a licence

A recreational fishing, crayfishing and spearfishing card is required for everyone except persons younger than 16, older than 65, and persons with disabilities. Licensed waters additionally require a valid licence.

Law reference: 2.; 3.
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Feb - 30. Apr

Grayling may not be kept from 1 February to 30 April

The retention ban for grayling applies in all waters during this period.

Law reference: 23.3
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Mar - 15. May

Asp may not be kept from 1 March to 15 May

The retention ban for asp applies during this period.

Law reference: 23.5
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Mar - 30. Apr

Pike may not be kept from 1 March to 30 April

The retention ban for pike applies in all waters during this period.

Law reference: 23.4
Method restriction Recurring period: 1. Mar - 30. Apr

Fishing from boats in inland waters is prohibited from 1 March to 30 April

Fishing from boats and other floating craft is not allowed in this period in all waters except the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.

Law reference: 24.1 Exception: the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.
Method restriction Recurring period: 1. Mar - 30. Apr

Using fish as bait is prohibited from 1 March to 30 April

Using fish as bait in this period is not allowed in any waters.

Law reference: 25 Exception: the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.
Special waters Recurring period: 1. Mar - 30. Apr

Fishing in designated canals and connecting waters is prohibited from 1 March to 30 April

The ban applies to canals and connecting waterways listed in Annex 2.1.

Law reference: 24.2; Annex 2.1
Spearfishing restriction Recurring period: 1. Mar - 30. Apr

Spearfishing in inland waters is prohibited from 1 March to 30 April

Spearfishing is not allowed in this period in all waters.

Law reference: 41 Exception: coastal waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, and licensed spearfishing waters.
Species closure Recurring period: 16. Apr - 31. May

Zander may not be kept from 16 April to 31 May

The retention ban for zander applies in all waters during this period.

Law reference: 23.6
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Jun - 31. Jul

Turbot may not be kept from 1 June to 31 July

The retention ban for turbot applies during this summer period.

Law reference: 23.7
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Sep - 30. Nov

Brown trout may not be kept from 1 September to 30 November

The retention ban for brown trout applies during this period.

Law reference: 23.8
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Oct - 15. Nov

In the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga, salmon and sea trout may not be kept from 1 October to 15 November

The retention ban applies in coastal waters during this period.

Law reference: 23.2.2 Exception: the Gulf of Riga area from Vecāķi to Vaivari between the specified perpendiculars down to a depth of 20 metres.
Species closure Recurring period: 1. Oct - 30. Nov

Whitefish and vendace may not be kept from 1 October to 30 November

The retention ban for whitefish and vendace applies during this period.

Law reference: 23.9
Crayfish restriction Recurring period: 1. Oct - 30. Jun

Broad-clawed and narrow-clawed crayfish may not be taken from 1 October to 30 June

The closed season for broad-clawed and narrow-clawed crayfish crosses the calendar year.

Law reference: 32.2 Crayfish females with visible eggs may not be taken all year round.

Special waters and regional periods

Start planning by month, then open the detailed rule groups below.

Regional 1. Jan - 31. Dec

On selected stretches fish may be taken only in licensed fishing waters

6

Fishing is allowed on these stretches or waters only where licensed fishing has been organised in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Waters included

  • Aiviekste — 500 metres downstream from the Aiviekste HPP dam
  • Brasla — 1000 metres downstream from the Brasla HPP dam
  • Daugava — 700 metres downstream from Riga HPP, 1000 metres downstream from Ķegums HPP and 1000 metres downstream from Pļaviņas HPP
  • Salaca — entire length
  • Mērsrags Canal — entire length
  • Venta — 500 metres downstream from the Venta rapid in Kuldīga and 200 metres upstream

Law reference: 27.1.-27.6.

Regional 16. Mar - 15. May

A ban applies near the Aiviekste sluices in Lake Lubāns from 16 March to 15 May

1

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited in the specified part of Lake Lubāns.

Waters included

  • Lake Lubāns — the first 100 metres in the lake from the Aiviekste sluices

Law reference: Annex 3, 13.1

Regional 16. Mar - 31. May

A ban applies on the Aiviekste from 16 March to 31 May

1

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretch of the Aiviekste.

Waters included

  • Aiviekste — from the mouth of the Veseta (new channel) upstream to the Aiviekste HPP dam

Law reference: Annex 3, 1.

Regional 1. Apr - 31. May

A ban applies on selected stretches in the Lielupe basin from 1 April to 31 May

5

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified river stretches and connectors.

Waters included

  • Lielupe — from the Staļģene bridge upstream to the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele below Bauska Castle ruins
  • Mēmele — from the mouth to the pedestrian bridge in Bauska
  • Mūsa — from the mouth to the bridge near the motorsport complex
  • Slocene (Pulkaine) — between Lake Valgums and Lake Kaņieris
  • Vecslocene and Slocene — between Lake Sloka and the Lielupe

Law reference: Annex 3, 77.–81.

Regional 1. May - 31. May

A ban applies on the Daugava, Buļļupe and Loču Canal from 1 May to 31 May

3

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretches around Riga.

Waters included

  • Buļļupe — entire length
  • Daugava — from the mouth in the Gulf of Riga upstream for six kilometres to the former high-voltage crossing within Riga
  • Loču Canal — entire length

Law reference: Annex 3, 7., 8.1., 8.2.

Regional 1. Oct - 30. Apr

A ban applies in the northern dam zone of Lake Lubāns from 1 October to 30 April

1

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited in the specified part of the lake.

Waters included

  • Lake Lubāns — the area adjoining the northern dam, 1400 metres along the shore and 600 metres into the lake from shore

Law reference: Annex 3, 13.2

Regional 1. Oct - 30. Nov

A large river group is closed from 1 October to 30 November

71

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretches or entire rivers according to Annex 3.

Waters included

  • Akaviņa — entire length
  • Alūksne — entire length
  • Arona — entire length
  • Bērzaune — entire length
  • Bērzene — entire length
  • Ievedne — entire length
  • Kuja — upstream from the bridge on the Cesvaine–Gulbene road
  • Lēģerurga — from the mouth in the Mazā Jugla to road P10
  • Līčupe — entire length
  • Nāruža — entire length
  • Pietēnupe — entire length
  • Sumulda — entire length
  • Taukātne — entire length
  • Taleja — entire length
  • Vedze — entire length
  • Veseta — downstream from the bridge at Lejaskrogs in Vietalva
  • Virgulica — entire length
  • Azanda — entire length
  • Egļupe — entire length
  • Glāžupe — entire length
  • Grūbe — from the mouth in Kumada upstream to the Vidzeme (Pskov) highway
  • Īģe — entire length
  • Inčupe — entire length
  • Jogla — from the mouth in the Salaca to the confluence of the Zonape
  • Jugla (Brasla tributary) — entire length
  • Karogupīte — entire length
  • Korģe — entire length
  • Kurliņupe — entire length
  • Ķirele — entire length
  • Ķīšupe — entire length
  • Lorupe — from the mouth in the Gauja to Anciči pond
  • Liepupe — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the Tallinn highway
  • Noriņa — entire length
  • Nurmižupīte — from the mouth in the Gauja to the dam
  • Mazupīte — from the mouth in the Aģe to road P53
  • Melnupe — entire length
  • Piģele — entire length
  • Pērļupe — entire length
  • Rauza — entire length
  • Ramata — entire length
  • Skaļupe — entire length
  • Šepka — entire length
  • Talīte — from the mouth in the Rauna to road P28
  • Vecpalsa — entire length
  • Vējupīte — from the mouth in the Gauja to highway A2
  • Vilaune — entire length
  • Vildoga — entire length
  • Vizla — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the Vizla HPP dam
  • Zaķupīte — entire length
  • Apše — from the mouth in the Venta to the Ruņa confluence at P114
  • Ciecere — from the mouth in the Venta upstream to the Pakuļi reservoir dam
  • Dzelda — entire length
  • Koja — entire length
  • Lāčupīte — entire length
  • Lētīža — entire length
  • Lorumupe — entire length
  • Melnsilupe — entire length
  • Mellsilsupe — entire length
  • Mellupīte — entire length
  • Padure — from the mouth in the Venta to Upeslīči
  • Paksīte — from the mouth in the Ciecere to road A9
  • Pilsupe — entire length
  • Pitragsupe — entire length
  • Platenes Canal — from the mouth at Packule to the Klāņi–Bušnieki Canal
  • Ruņa — from the mouth in the Apše to the Dakterišķe confluence
  • Svente — from the mouth in the Abava to road V1402
  • Šķērvelis — entire length
  • Valgale — from the mouth in the Abava upstream to the bridge in Valgale village
  • Vanka — from the mouth in the Užava to Ēdole mill
  • Vēždūka — entire length
  • Virbupe (Kārone) — entire length

Law reference: Annex 3

Regional 1. Oct - 31. Dec

On many stretches from 1 October to 31 December only natural-bait fishing is allowed

18

On these stretches the general closure still applies, but the rules provide an exception for fishing with natural bait.

Exception: fishing with natural bait.

Waters included

  • Lielā Jugla — upstream to the Ropaži HPP dam
  • Mazā Jugla — upstream to the Dobelnieki HPP dam
  • Mergupe — entire length
  • Gauja — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the highway bridge in Strenči
  • Vitrupe — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the bridge at Ķirbiži
  • Abava — from the mouth in the Venta upstream to the Abava rapid
  • Durbe — entire length
  • Irbe — entire length
  • Ostupe — entire length
  • Raķupe — entire length
  • Rinda — entire length
  • Rīva — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the bridge in Rīva village
  • Roja — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the Lubes Mill dam
  • Saka — entire length
  • Stende — entire length
  • Tebra — from its confluence with the Saka to the dam in Aizpute
  • Užava — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the bridge at Tērande
  • Venta — from the bridge at Zlēkas upstream to the Latvia-Lithuania border

Law reference: Annex 3

Regional 1. Oct - 31. Dec

Selected rivers are closed from 1 October to 31 December

19

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretches without any extra natural-bait exception.

Waters included

  • Ķekava — from the mouth in the Daugava to the dam
  • Aģe — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the Aģe HPP dam
  • Amata — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the reservoir dam at Kārļi
  • Brasla — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the Brasla HPP dam
  • Gauja — from Strenči bridge to the Paideri HPP dam
  • Jaunupe — entire length
  • Kumada — from the mouth in the Amata upstream to the Vidzeme (Pskov) highway
  • Lenčupe — from the mouth in the Gauja to the Kalna Mill dam
  • Loja — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the Katrīndzirnavas HPP dam
  • Līgatne — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the Šķēpeļi Mill dam
  • Pēterupe — entire length
  • Rauna — from the mouth in the Gauja upstream to the mill dam in Rauna
  • Raunis — from the mouth in the Rauna upstream to the Vidzeme (Pskov) highway
  • Strīķupe — entire length
  • Svētupe — from the mouth in the sea upstream to the bridge over the Svētupe on the road to Ērgļu Bog
  • Vaidava — from the state border to the Grūbe HPP
  • Vaive — from the mouth in the Rauna upstream to the Vaive Mill dam
  • Bārta — from the Lithuania-Latvia border to the mouth in Lake Liepāja
  • Vārtāja — from the mouth in the Bārta to the Birztala confluence

Law reference: Annex 3

Regional 1. Oct - 30. Apr

The Rēzekne River is closed from 1 October to 30 April

1

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretch.

Exception: fishing from shore and from ice.

Waters included

  • Rēzekne River — from its mouth at Lake Lubāns upstream to the bridge near the settlement of Žogoti

Law reference: Annex 3, 20.

Regional 1. Oct - 30. Nov

The Ēda is closed from 1 October to 30 November, except for natural-bait fishing

1

Fishing and spearfishing are prohibited on the specified stretch of the Ēda; fishing with natural bait is permitted.

Exception: fishing with natural bait.

Waters included

  • Ēda — from the mouth in the Venta to the bridge on road P108

Law reference: Annex 3, 87.