02 / Species

What can you catch in the lakes and rivers of Estonia?

Meet the species recorded in these waters. Open a species for its techniques, bait and fishing grounds.

See all 23 species ↗

Search 23 species

In season · November

Estonia Lakes & Rivers fishing calendar

Species with a productive season this month. Seasonal data is a guide, not a guarantee of a catch.

Species counts peak in the lakes and rivers of Estonia in Jul, Aug, Jun — the strip shows how many species are productive in each month.

5 Jan
5 Feb
6 Mar
9 Apr
13 May
20 Jun
21 Jul
21 Aug
19 Sep
11 Oct
5 Nov
3 Dec

The height of the strip is the number of productive species in that month; it is not a guarantee of a catch. The turquoise column is the current month.

In season · November

What is caught in the lakes and rivers of Estonia month by month

For each month, the species in season — the most seasonal ones first.

Jan: Burbot, Common whitefish, Peled, Rainbow trout, Common dace
Feb: Burbot, Common whitefish, Peled, Rainbow trout, Common dace
Mar: Roach, Vimba bream, Common whitefish, Peled, Rainbow trout, Common dace
Apr: Brown trout, Atlantic salmon, Common bleak, Ide, Roach, Vimba bream and 3 more species
May: Crucian carp, Rudd, Brown trout, Prussian carp, Atlantic salmon, Common bleak and 7 more species
Jun: Tench, European chub, Common carp, European perch, Crucian carp, Common bream and 14 more species
Jul: Tench, European chub, Common carp, European perch, Crucian carp, Common bream and 15 more species
Aug: Tench, European chub, Common carp, European perch, Crucian carp, Common bream and 15 more species
Sep: European chub, Common carp, European perch, Crucian carp, Common bream, Rudd and 13 more species
Oct: European perch, Common bream, Ruffe, Pikeperch, White bream, Northern pike and 5 more species
Nov: Burbot, Pikeperch, Northern pike, Rainbow trout, Common dace
Dec: Burbot, Rainbow trout, Common dace

What bites in the lakes and rivers of Estonia this month

Ranked by this month’s research score at the lake and river spots of this region.

Good

+3 more species

Weak

A 0–100 score from season, water temperature, habitat and local records; a general trend, not a guarantee.

Before you cast

Rules specific to this region 48

The entries are summaries compiled from that country’s fishing legislation; each lists its legal basis and official source. The official text is binding, and rules can vary by state and by water. Check the rules on your permit before you fish.

Legal framework and permits

Fishing Act (RT I 1995 (consolidated version riigiteataja.ee; date not verified)). Fishing rights, types of harrastuspüük (recreational fishing), kalapüügiõigus and kalastuskaart, penalty (up to 300 fine units). Permit: In public waters 1 lihtkäsiõng (simple rod without reel, single hook, natural bait only) free and without a permit. For more simple rods or käsiõng, spinning, vedel (trolling), sikuti, lendõng (fly), põhjaõng, und a paid harrastuspüügiõigus is required (kalaluba.ee/SMS; 24 hours, 7 days, 182 days, 365 days) — maximum 3 items of gear per person (excluding vedel). Exempt: pre-school children, pupils under 16, pensioners, victims of repression, disabled persons (document must be carried). For salmon/sea trout spin/fly fishing, certain trout rivers, nets/õngejada, crayfish, protected areas (Silma, Endla, Matsalu) a kalastuskaart is additionally required (no discount). In private waters the owner's permission. Competent authority: Regionaal- ja Põllumajandusministeerium; inspection Keskkonnaamet (Environmental Board) / Keskkonnainspektsioon.

Legal basis: Kalapüügiseadus communiqué text

Legal framework and permits

Fishing Rules (VV määrus nr 65, 16.06.2016; kehtiv sõnastus 23.01.2026 (RT I, 20.01.2026, 14)). Definitions of fishing gear (§ 4), size (§ 14, Lisa 3), bycatch and release (§ 16), daily bag limits (§ 20 lg 7), species prohibited in all waters (§ 21), closed seasons and areas for Peipsi/Lämmi/Pihkva (§ 33–43), Võrtsjärv (§ 45–48), other inland waters (§ 49–54). Competent authority: Vabariigi Valitsus; Keskkonnaamet.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri (Vabariigi Valitsuse 16.06.2016 määrus nr 65) communiqué text

Legal framework and permits

2026 temporary recreational fishing restrictions (ministerial regulation) (2026 (number not verified; referenced on the Keskkonnaamet page)). 2026-specific perch and pikeperch restrictions in Pärnu Bay and the Pärnu/Sauga rivers; exemption periods with kalastuskaart in salmon rivers. Competent authority: Regionaal- ja Põllumajandusministeerium.

Legal basis: Harrastuskalapüügi ajutised piirangud 2026 (valdkonna eest vastutava ministri m… communiqué text

General provision

Per person/day: 15 kg ahven, 5 haug, 5 koha, 15 latikas, 2 lõhe or 2 forell or 1+1, 15 säinas, 20 vimb; 75 jõevähk. Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 20 lg 7–8 communiqué text

General provision

Undersized fish or fish of a prohibited species caught by line are released into the water immediately after unhooking (bycatch prohibited). Measurement: from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail (L). Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 16 lg 2, 4; Lisa 3 communiqué text

General provision

Deliberately hooking fish outside the mouth with a line (tragimine) is prohibited. Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 2 lg 15, § 20 lg 1 p 7 communiqué text

General provision

In inland waters (and north of Pärnu Bay), at most 3 vedel (spinning lure trolled behind a boat) per person. Vedel is outside the 3-gear limit of harrastuspüügiõigus. Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 20 lg 9; ministry page communiqué text

General provision

Käsiõng: max. 3 single hooks or kirptirk; spinning: lant (max. 3 treble hooks) or rakis (dead-fish rig); sikuti (ice rod): tirk + max. 2 kirptirk; lendõng: max. 3 hooks, artificial bait only; põhjaõng: max. 3 hooks.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 4 lg 2 communiqué text

General provision

In prohibited areas, a keepnet/live cage may not be kept in the water; during the closed period, undersized or protected species may not be kept. Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 11 communiqué text

General provision

Salmon/trout spawning waters: in the waters listed in Looduskaitseseadus § 51, wading while fishing is prohibited during the salmon/trout closed season (except Narva jõgi). Period: Lõhe/forel closed seasons.

Legal basis: Salmon/trout spawning waters: Kalapüügieeskiri § 53 lg 2 communiqué text

General provision

In reservoirs on a watercourse, the restrictions of that watercourse apply. Period: All year.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 51 lg 6 communiqué text

Protected species

Grayling (harjus) (Thymallus thymallus): Fishing prohibited in all waters.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 21 communiqué text

Protected species

Wels catfish (säga) (Silurus glanis): Fishing prohibited in all waters.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 21 communiqué text

Protected species

Asp (tõugjas) (Leuciscus aspius): Fishing prohibited in all waters.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 21 communiqué text

Protected species

Sturgeons (tuurlased) (Acipenseridae): Fishing prohibited in all waters.

Legal basis: Kalapüügieeskiri § 21 communiqué text