Starting February 15, 2023, Ukraine will prohibit the catching of pike during the spawning season, which will end on March 31. This is the country's first time implementing such a rule. The ban is aimed at protecting the pike species, which spawns at lower water temperatures than other fish. Violations of this ban could result in penalties ranging from administrative to criminal, along with compensation for damages amounting to UAH 3,468 per illegally caught pike. Additionally, a winter fishing ban will be in effect until the start of the spring-summer spawning ban in 2023.