Fishing in Pripyat: features of catfishing, video, choice of gear

The Pripyat River flows into the Kiev Reservoir, flows through Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, and has a total length of 775 km.

Pripyat is rich in more than 35 species of fish, famous for its mild currents and beautiful scenery. Experienced fishermen or amateurs have long chosen this place as the most fruitful, so to speak “fishy” place. The most popular fishing places are the shores of Belarus. Most of Pripyat, located in Ukraine, is considered dangerous, runs along the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and fishing is prohibited there.

Features of fishing in Pripyat

In addition to the fact that you can fish in Pripyat at any time of the year, there are a number of features that distinguish it from other bodies of water:

It runs along the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which means its waters are contaminated with radiation.
The waters of this river are the main source of radionuclides that flow into the Kiev Reservoir.
Increased levels of strontium/cesium are periodically observed due to Chernobyl.
The reservoir flows along the picturesque landscapes that the Republic of Belarus is so rich in.
More than 35 species of fish live here.
It is possible to catch fish of “trophy” size.
There is an opportunity to catch extremely rare species of fish, such as white-eye or bluegill.
The reservoir is perfect for any type of sport fishing.
Excellent bite all year round.
There are excellent bases along the coast that offer their services for a fee. This is more likely for fishermen who come from afar or for people who value their own comfort above all.

A little geography

The source of the Pripyat is located on the Volyn Upland, between the villages of Budniki and Rogovye Smolyary, Lyuboml region of Ukraine. Most of the waterway passes through Belarus and only the last 50 kilometers flows through the Kyiv region, where there is a ban on fishing in this river.

Pripyat on the map of Ukraine and Belarus.

Based on the above, we note that in the Republic of Belarus there is a lot of fishing on the river. Proof of this is the numerous videos and photo reports that can easily be found on the Internet.

This is what Pripyat looks like near the village of Povchin, Zhitkovichi district.

Location and climate

The main part of the river is located in Polesie (Belarus), but it originates in Ukraine (Volyn). The length of the reservoir across Ukrainian territory is about 200 km, most of which is located in the exclusion zone. On Belarusian soil it flows through Polesie, Brest, and Gomel regions.

The lower reaches of the river, located in Chernobyl, are considered dirty and unsuitable for any type of fishing. After the disaster that shocked the whole world, all fishing was banned and strictly prosecuted by Ukrainian law.

But in fact, violations occur, which are carefully monitored by the local fisheries inspection. Places in the middle and upper parts of the river are considered clean and suitable for fishing. Therefore, Belarus is famous for its fishing bases.

General characteristics of the reservoir:

The length of the river is about 775 km.
The width is about 50-75 m, and the maximum is 200.
The Pripyat River is the largest tributary of the Dnieper.
Low bank, muddy bottom.
In most of the river the current is moderate, only some areas are fast.
Navigable body of water.
It is filled mainly due to snow melting in the spring, sometimes due to underwater springs.
A large number of rifts/passes, mainly located near the “lower reaches”.
Early flood (from the beginning of spring).
Glaciation at the end of December/beginning of January.
The maximum water level occurs in April - May.
It has a number of large tributaries: Goryn, Stokod, Ila and others.

The climate in the area is considered moderate and characteristic of central Europe. This means that winters are relatively mild and summers are moderately hot.

Are local fish radioactive?

You can often find questions online: is it possible to eat fish caught in the reservoirs of Pripyat? The question is very sensitive, because logically it is impossible, since it is found in the former contaminated zone.

Many experts claim that at the moment, fish from this region is considered, on the contrary, one of the cleanest! Although, on the other hand, its level of radionuclide contamination is several times higher than the standard indicators. In other regions, fishermen do not risk fishing, since the man-made reservoirs there are even dirtier.

In any case, all the fish in Chernobyl have an increased dose of radiation, so I do not recommend eating it. Only if for the sake of the fishing process and photos with the trophy. But there is no need to cook the dish.

What types of fish is the Pripyat River rich in?

In shallow waters, roach and perch are well caught; in the “deep” reed thickets you can catch pike, crucian carp, and bream. At the depths live pike perch, sabrefish, ide, and catfish. Pripyat is rich in the following species:

Chekhon.
Ide.
Som.
Roach.
Crucian carp.
Zander.
Pike.
Bream.
Perch.
Carp.
Asp.
Gustera and others.

Main “fishing” places:

Gomel region, near Zhitkovichi, good fishing - crucian carp, roach, perch, bream, carp.
Gomel region, Mozyr district – catfish, sabrefish, pike, roach, crucian carp.
Brest region, near the village of Luninets – roach, burbot, pike, perch.

Fishing methods in Pripyat

Due to the variety of fish species, fishing occurs in different ways, but the most preferred are:

Spinning fishing. The most popular type of fishing, you can catch perch and “average” pike with a spinning rod. If you try to go fishing on a big scale, you should stock up on a good gas engine, since the most trophy specimens live in the depths. In deep water/strong currents, you can catch large catfish, chub, pike perch, and asp.
Feeder fishing. Usually they are caught with a feeder in the Polesie regions. Thus, they “hunt” for ide, carp, silver bream, and bream.
Float fishing can be no less effective, the only thing is that you need to fish in shallow water, near the shore, or next to a small current, in all sorts of backwaters. Local residents prefer not to bother with “newfangled” fishing rods, but fish the old fashioned way with a float. And quite successfully! Their catch is no different from others. When fishing this way, you need to choose a fishing rod more than 5 meters long, and preferably 6-7 m.
Trolling. Some criticize this type of fishing, saying that for success you need a good motor and a wobbler. But that's not true. This method is indispensable for fishing at great depths and in open (vast) places. Trolling will “catch” pike, which live at a depth of up to 5 meters, and carp – up to 2. It is by trolling that you can catch truly trophy specimens. It is better to choose wobblers with a size of 6 – 12 cm, with a depth of up to 5 meters.

How to fish

When summer comes and the water level approaches the minimum mark, it is best to fish with a feeder. Mostly ide, bream, silver bream and carp are caught with it. Most fishermen also prefer to fish with spinning rods, most often in oxbow lakes. Pike and perch bite well on this type of fishing rod. If you take a simple float rod, then it is rarely caught in these places. And then, only where the current is very slow. But many fishermen, using a 7 m long fishing rod, have a fairly successful catch and a lot of emotions.

Of course, you need to think about bait. You should take with you several types of bait from various types of cereals. Bait made from millet, rolled oats, peas and pearl barley is perfect for catching on our river. But you shouldn’t prepare porridge in advance. After all, they are a perishable product that is ready to turn sour during the long journey to the place of catch. Maggot with a dung worm is also perfect for catching as bait in Pripyat.

The best places for paid fishing

Unfortunately, almost all fishing is paid. There are practically no free places left, and even if there are, you can’t count on a good bite there. Fishing in Pripyat is taken completely under state control, and unauthorized fishing is subject to a large fine.

There are tourist centers and fish farms along the river; you can choose the right one through a travel agency or on your own. Among the most popular paid fish farms, it is worth highlighting the following:

JSC "Turovshchina" Another name is “Losiny Island”. The farm includes large hunting and agricultural lands, as well as 31 km of the Pripyat River. Hotels and tourist centers are located along the territory; the annual reception of guests ranges from 8-10 thousand people. The fishing industry is designed in such a way that fishing will be guaranteed. If you wish, they will show you “good” places and rent fishing rods, a boat or even a speedboat. It is possible to hire an experienced instructor who will help and give a master class on fishing. You can catch perch, burbot, pike, carp, chub, and roach.
Torka LLC. Located on the border with the Mozyr region, it owns almost 25 km of the river. Paid private fishing is available.
Ku PORKH "Luninets". The section of the river owned by this farm stretches from the river. Price up to river Smerd, the total area is only 9 km. Intensive fishing for industrial/personal purposes is available.
GPU NP "Pripyatsky". The total territory occupies about 37 km, located at the central mouth of the river. Fishing for personal purposes is available.

Conditions and cost of fishing

Due to the increase in poaching, the government of the Republic of Belarus has tightened the rules for fishing in Pripyat. For example, 20 years ago, there were about 65 species of fish in the river, among them 20 were included in the Red Book, now 35. Of which only 2 species are included in the Red Book. In addition to paid fishing, there are a number of restrictions that make it possible to regulate the fishing of rare varieties.

Basic and mandatory fishing rules:

It is strictly forbidden for one person to use a rod with more than 5 hooks.
Fishing ban in the Brest/Gomel region from March 1 to May 18.
Mogilev region from April 10 to June 8.

Amount of fines for poaching:

Burbot – 1,350 thousand Bel. rub.
Pike, bream, silver bream, sabrefish – 450 thousand BYN. rub.
Carp, ide, catfish – 900 thousand BYN. rub.

The cost of fishing depends on the place and time of fishing, the price varies from 40 thousand Belarusians. rub./day up to 100 thousand

The price does not include rental of fishing equipment, which must be purchased separately. If you wish, you can try to find free places, but every year there are fewer and fewer of them. For good catch, you need to go far along the river or sit in a “home.”

Where and when can you go fishing?

According to reviews from anglers, it is good to fish in Pripyat near such settlements as:

Luninets;
Mozyr;
Petrikov;
Pinsk.

Attention! Thanks to good catches, the river has long gained great fame and is not without reason called the Belarusian Amazon.

People go to Pripyat at any time of the year. Here you can fish well not only in the summer, but it also bites well in winter, spring and autumn. So in this sense, fishing will be a pleasure at any time.

It should be noted, however, that during floods the river floods heavily, which makes approaching it difficult. But numerous oxbow lakes and lakes are flooded, into which fish enter from the main channel. This circumstance makes it possible for good summer fishing in these locations.

The wealth of fish stocks in the river is great, partly for this we can thank the disaster, after which fishing pressure was reduced for many years, and then nature did a good job restoring the stock.

Reviews from fishermen

Stepan, Gomel: “I like to fish in winter using a jig; roach and pike are excellently caught in Pripyat. Last winter I caught almost 10 kg, the only thing was that it was severely frosty and I couldn’t fish for a long time. For bait I used steamed corn and live bait.”
Nikita, Moscow: “I travel often, I really love fishing, so a few years ago I came with a friend to Pripyat. I really liked it, I caught carp with a spinning rod, which I still remember. It was not possible to catch any trophy specimens. If I’m lucky, I’ll go there again.”
Stanislav Mikhailovich, Kiev: “I am a fisherman with 30 years of experience. I’ve fallen in love with Pripyat for a long time; I go there every spring for almost 15 years now. The catch is always rich, and I don’t go there for fish, I like the atmosphere there, there’s nothing like it anywhere.”
Katasonov Dmiriy, Vitebsk: “I prefer to fish with friends only there! The catch is always good, nature is even better. For me, this is a great opportunity not only to catch fish, but also to relax with those closest to me. We usually go for several days, staying in private camp sites. I prefer sport fishing with a jig.”

Features of winter fishing

Fishing on the Pripyat River in winter has many features:

the likelihood of a rich catch of roach;
good bite, despite the snow and frost;
It is better to choose areas with weak currents;
strong winds are often observed;
Can be caught using artificial bait.

Bites well:

pike;
blue;
perch;
roach;
blue-eye (rare species).

Fishing takes place from the ice. The main thing is to choose the right gear; winter fishing rods and jigs are considered the best this season. It has been noted that it is good to use silicone baits, only with a special aroma, worms, chicken liver, and predatory fish species bite well on small crucian carp and spinners.

If fishing is done with live bait, then the main condition is its mobility, despite the cold water.

Important advice: the rod should not exceed more than one meter.