Fishing in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is undoubtedly a treasure for fishing enthusiasts, as this small republic has 923 lakes and over 3,500 streams and rivers. Fishing in Kyrgyzstan will not only bring you joy, but also allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy beautiful landscapes. To ensure that fishing does not turn into disappointment, it is important to follow certain rules of sport and amateur fishing established in Kyrgyzstan.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the annual release of fry into water bodies and rivers sharply decreased. This is due to insufficient funding for the fishing industry in Kyrgyzstan. As a result, private fish farms, which have been purchased or leased, are currently doing well.

In early April, the mountain fishing season begins in Kyrgyzstan, lasting until October. Each fishing season has its advantages. For example, in the fall, there is a good catch of rainbow trout on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Trout can be caught year-round, but in the autumn, they come close to the shores of Issyk-Kul. The fish is most delicious and fatty in the fall, as many species of fish go for fattening during this period. In winter, from December to March, you can catch bream and pike-perch on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, in the Tyup Bay.

In the mountain rivers of Kyrgyzstan, there is an abundance of river osman, Amudarya trout, and several species of marinka. In water bodies and lakes, you can catch pike, carp, snakehead, redfin, crucian carp, Aral bream, Balhash perch, and silver crucian carp.

By decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, a moratorium on fishing in Lake Son-Kul and Lake Issyk-Kul was established for 5 years starting January 10, 2008. This is due to the decline in the population of such fish species as chebak, pelad, sig, Issyk-Kul marinka, and others. This ban on fishing is in effect regardless of the season. Amateur fishing is only allowed for rainbow trout, eastern bream, and pike-perch.

You can fish in private water bodies for a small fee. To catch trout or other fish in other water bodies, you need to obtain a permit from the Hunting and Fishing Union or the State Agency for Environmental Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic. If you have such a permit, you can fish without any problems.

For fishing enthusiasts in the country, the use of fishing rods, fly fishing, spinning rods, vertical lures, floats, and tip-ups is allowed, but no more than 5 pieces per angler, and underwater guns or pistols must be factory-made. No more than 10 hooks are allowed per angler, regardless of the number of fishing rods. The catch limit per day is no more than 5 kg per angler. If one fish weighs more than 5 kg, it is not considered a violation. However, if you manage to catch several large fish, it is better to prepare and eat them on the spot to avoid confiscation of the catch. Fishing is strictly prohibited during the spawning season. It is also forbidden to catch fish using nets, electric fishing rods, traps, electric shock, fish traps, seine nets, or explosive and poisonous substances.

Violators face administrative and criminal penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the violation. Criminal penalties are applied only to habitual poachers.

Simply adhering to these straightforward rules will ensure that fishing brings you pleasure. Wishing you successful fishing!