Lots of Ukrainians know how and where to catch the big fish.
There are two million recreational anglers and about 2,500 professionals, according to Vitaliy Levchenko, the president of the Fishing Sport Federation of Ukraine.
Aside from the commercial and nutritional benefits, fishing helps people unwind, teaches patience and offers chances to bond with friends and family.
Fishing enthusiasts say that Kyiv is a top-notch, year-round fishing destination.
Pavel Petrus, 23, says that one of the most popular spots is the concrete embankment of the Dnipro River near the Poshtova Ploshcha metro station, where people can be found fishing throughout the night.
Kyiv also offers plenty of stores that sell fishing equipment, including Ibis, Fisher’s Paradise and Flagman.
Many, like 47-year-old Alexandr Pastushina, prefer going fishing outside of the city on weekends. “My friends and I try to go for fishing once a week. In the summer, we set up a camp by a river, go fishing, and cook our own fish too,” he says.
For those who’d like to try their hand at angling, but don’t know where to start, the Kyiv Post is here to help with places to buy tackle and top fishing locations:
The Selfish Club
This club is 55 kilometers from Kyiv. It offers Scandinavian-style accommodation in houses built beside the water and with fishing equipment, boat rides and fishing lessons.
Fishing costs: Hr 1,500 per hour for two people with guide and fishing equipment
To rent a boat for fishing is Hr 6,500 per day
Selfish Club, 21 Naberezhna Street, village of Kyilov, +38068 221 1221
Zabirya
The village of Zabirya, another prime fishing spot, is located 32 kilometers southwest of Kyiv. The local fishing park named after the village is built near several fish breeding lakes, where carp, silver carp, grass carp, perch pike and catfish can be caught. The fishing park also has the restaurant called Ryba Chok, where guests can ask the chef to cook the fish they have caught, and an entertainment beach complex called Korchagin Park.
Fishing for carp: Hr 300 per day
Fishing for other species: Hr 200 per day
Zabirya. Zabirya village, +38067 836 1147, +38050 412 8122
Vovkove Boloto
This fishery is located in the village of Paryshkiv, some 75 kilometers east of Kyiv close to Lake Vovkove. Visitors can fish from the boats as well as from the shore of this small lake.
Fishing from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. costs Hr 200 (catches of no more than three kilograms of fish allowed)
Fishing for the whole day costs Hr 350 (catches of no more than five kilograms of fish allowed)
Vovkove boloto. Paryshkiv village. +38096 731 5949, +38095 735 0259
Dva Bobra
The Dva Bobra (Two Beavers) country club is located on the banks of a picturesque lake 26 kilometers west of Kyiv. Accommodation consists of wooden huts. Visitors have to bring their own fishing rod, and they can catch up to 5 kilograms of wild fish (there is an extra charge of Hr 50 per kilogram if anglers exceed the maximum catch). The complex also has a park, a football field, a basketball court and a restaurant.
Fishing costs Hr 250 per day.
Dva Bobra. 91 Komarova St., Myla village +38067 233 3808, +38044 207 9107
