Märt Kesküla, senior specialist at the Aquatic Life Office of the Environmental Board, stated that the biggest change this year is the new upper limit of the catch set to maintain the crayfish population, allowing each fishing card holder to catch up to 25 crayfish. "Scientists at the Estonian University of Life Sciences have pointed out that the previous limit of 75 crayfish was too high. The crayfish population must be protected. Catching up to 25 crayfish should not limit anglers; they will still enjoy both the fishing experience and the culinary reward. Smaller crayfish should not be caught, and hopefully, this reduced limit will help prevent that," explained Kesküla.
Those who want to catch crayfish in waters or counties with limited permits should act quickly to secure a fishing card. This year, limits have been set for all major water bodies in Saaremaa, as well as for Lake Pangodi, the Pärnu River, the Reopalu River, Väinjärv, the Võhandu River, Lake Aheru, Lake Pühajärv, the Väike-Emajõgi River, and Lake Kasaritsa Verijärv. One person can only buy one fishing card for a water body that has limited number of permits or for Saaremaa.
In other water bodies, the number of fishing cards is not limited. Kesküla added that purchasing a fishing card does not guarantee a catch. "Crayfish are not evenly distributed in all water bodies, and some can be completely dry in a dry summer. Anglers should ensure that fishing is feasible in their chosen water body at the desired time."
Most fishing cards are distributed through kalaluba.ee, with only a few available on paper at Environmental Board offices. The limit number of fishing cards for different water bodies is set by the Minister of the Environment's regulation.
The most convenient and reliable way to purchase a fishing card for crayfish fishing is through kalaluba.ee. Applicants can log in using an ID card, mobile ID, or Smart ID. To purchase a fishing card, select the "fishing card" option on the kalaluba.ee portal, choose crayfish net and crayfish snare as fishing gear, and then select the appropriate county and water body. The date and time of fishing must also be noted. The fishing card is valid for 24 hours.
Applications can be submitted locally at the Environmental Board's offices in Tartu and Kuressaare on the morning of July 1 from 9 am to 10 am. In other offices of the Environmental Board, applications can be left in the office mailbox or sent by post or e-mail to info@keskkonnaamet.ee.
A fishing card, costing 15 or 20 euros depending on the location, allows the holder to place up to five crayfish nets or traps for 24 hours. Those who have not submitted a mandatory catch report for a previous fishing license cannot buy a new fishing card. The fishing card is linked to the personal identification number. To maintain the crayfish population, each fishing card holder can catch up to 25 crayfish.
Crayfish fishing is allowed from August 1st to August 31, but not in all water bodies.
This text was translated by a machine.
