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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2025; 1(71): 4-25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2025.01.004
UDC 639.2.052.2 (477.6)+597.2/.5

Maximum fish lengths and weights of trophy catches of Ukrainian anglers

R. Novitskyi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-9373-5759, Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, Dnipro
O. Kolomiitseva, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0002-0697-7715, Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, Dnipro

Purpose. The objective of the paper is to summarise the scientific findings on the maximum lengths and weight of freshwater fishes in trophy catches of Ukrainian anglers based on the author’s materials.

Methodology. As a result of many years of studies and observations (2000–2021), the data on the maximum lengths and weights of 18 species of freshwater fishes caught by the Ukrainian anglers were collected. Ichthyological materials taken from the catches were studied, 184 record applications of the “Prydniprovia Fishing Records” contest and the morphobiological parameters of trophy specimens were analysed. The age of the record fish was determined using their scales. The material was processed according to generally accepted ichthyological methods. Systematic names of fish of Ukraine are given according to the scientific papers by Y.V. Movchan and J.S. Nelson et al. The obtained results were compared with the identical morphobiological parameters of freshwater fishes in scientific databases (FishBase, IGFA).

Findings. Reliable material on the maximum lengths and weights of 18 species of freshwater fishes of Ukraine was obtained. The maximum lengths and weights of fishes in the Dnipro reservoirs, their subordinate water bodies, ponds and lakes have been identified: grass carp, chub, asp, Prussian carp, common carp, tench, Silver carp, Bighead carp, rudd, silver bream, common bream, roach, bleak, wels catfish, pike, pikeperch, perch, ruffe. It has been shown that the biological parameters of some fishes (chub, bleak, white bream, Prussian carp, bighead carp, wels catfish, perch, pikeperch) exceeded those for these species provided in the scientific reference literature for the fish in Europe and Ukraine in particular. A comparative analysis of the records of Ukrainian anglers and anglers’ world records (IGFA) indicates that the water bodies of Ukraine may be of interest for trophy fishing. It has been proved that the maximum parameters of chub, white bream and asp caught by anglers in Ukraine exceeded the official world records.

Originality. For the first time, the scientific findings of the maximum lengths and weights of freshwater fish in trophy catches of anglers of Ukraine for 2000–2021 have been generalised.

Practical Value. The study of the qualitative characteristics of recreational fishing in Ukraine is an effective additional tool to obtain scientific knowledge about the fish biology and ecology. The results obtained have an important and diverse practical significance, in particular, they can be used by specialists for further fisheries management, for making decisions on investments in natural resources and the use of ecosystem services, and they can also represent a justification for the development of recreational tourism in Ukraine in the post-war period.

Keywords: Ukraine, aquatic bioresources, recreational fishing, amateur anglers, fishing records, maximum size, maximum weight, age of fish.

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