Latvia
Europe · Northern Europe
Recreational spearfishing (zemūdens medības, 'underwater hunting') is legal in Latvia but regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Regulations on Recreational Fishing, Crayfishing and Underwater Hunting'. It is permitted in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, and with the owner's permission in private lakes where fishing rights do not belong to the state; elsewhere only where licensed underwater hunting is organised. A valid fishing/crayfishing/underwater hunting card (e-karte) is required for persons aged 16-65 (under 16, over 65 and persons with disabilities are exempt). Only muscle-powered spearguns (harpoon tip width up to 10 cm) are allowed; scuba/autonomous breathing apparatus is banned. A closed season applies from 1 March to 30 April in all waters except the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal waters. From 2026, additional Baltic Sea rules ban retaining cod and limit salmon to one clipped-fin specimen per day, also applying to underwater hunters.
Dernière mise à jour juin 14, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 of 22 December 2015 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi' (Regulations on Recreational Fishing, Crayfishing and Underwater Hunting)
- §Fisheries Law (Zvejniecības likums), 1995
- §Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture on additional regulation of fishing, recreational fishing and underwater hunting in the Baltic Sea for 2026 (based on EU Council Regulation 2025/2454 and Fisheries Law Article 16)
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Autorisé
- Plongée bouteille
- Interdit
- Étrangers
- Bienvenus
La loi, verbatim
Textes juridiques
Les dispositions législatives et réglementaires exactes qui régissent la chasse sous-marine ici, citées telles que publiées, avec un lien vers chaque source officielle.
Right to engage in underwater hunting; card requirement
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
2. Makšķerēt, vēžot un nodarboties ar zemūdens medībām savam patēriņam ir tiesības personai [...] 2.1. derīga makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karte [...] 2.3. vietās, kurās organizēta licencētā makšķerēšana, licencētā vēžošana vai licencētās zemūdens medības
Exemption from card requirement (age and disability)
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
3. Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karte nav nepieciešama personām, kas jaunākas par 16 gadiem un vecākas par 65 gadiem, kā arī personām ar invaliditāti.
Where underwater hunting is allowed
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
37. Zemūdens medības ir atļautas Baltijas jūras un Rīgas līča piekrastes ūdeņos, ar īpašnieka atļauju – privātajos ezeros, kuros zvejas tiesības nepieder valstij [...]
Permitted equipment - muscle-powered speargun, harpoon tip width
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
38. Zemūdens medībās izmanto tikai ar muskuļu spēku uzlādējamu harpūnšauteni, kuras harpūnas uzgaļa platums nepārsniedz 10 centimetru.
Requirements observed during underwater hunting (scuba ban, supervision, distance, daylight, buoy, no nets)
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
39. Zemūdens medību laikā ievēro šādas prasības: 39.1. aizliegts izmantot akvalangu vai citu autonomu elpošanas aparātu; 39.2. bērniem vecumā līdz 16 gadiem bez vecāku vai pieaugušo uzraudzības nav atļauts izmantot zemūdens medību rīkus; 39.3. aizliegts atrasties ar pielādētu harpūnšauteni krastā vai ūdenī tuvāk par 20 metriem no krasta līnijas publiskās atpūtas vietās; 39.4. zemūdens medību rīkus zivju medībām atļauts izmantot tikai tad, ja persona atrodas zem ūdens; 39.5. persona sev piestiprina košas krāsas boju ar vismaz astoņus kilogramus lielu celtspēju; 39.6. zemūdens medību rīkus aizliegts izmantot no saulrieta līdz saullēktam; 39.7. zemūdens medību laikā loma iegūšanai aizliegts izmantot jebkurus tīklus.
Closed season for underwater hunting (1 March - 30 April)
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015) 'Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi'
41. No 1. marta līdz 30. aprīlim zemūdens medības ir aizliegtas visos ūdeņos, izņemot Baltijas jūras un Rīgas līča piekrastes ūdeņus [...]
2026 Baltic Sea additional rule - salmon limit applies to underwater hunters
Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture on additional regulation of fishing, recreational fishing and underwater hunting in the Baltic Sea for 2026 (under EU Council Regulation 2025/2454 and Fisheries Law Art. 16)
[...] pēc tam, kad ir noķerts pirmais laša īpatnis, kuram ir nogriezta taukspura, pašpatēriņa zvejnieks, makšķernieks vai zemūdens mednieks pārtrauc laša ieguvi uz atlikušo dienas daļu. [Zemūdens medībās pirms šāviena izdarīšanas zemūdens medniekam ir iepriekš jāpārliecinās, ka lasis ir ar nogrieztu taukspuru.]
Quand vous pouvez plonger
Saisons et restrictions temporelles
Périodes de fermeture, d'ouverture et de restriction tout au long de l'année. Confirmez toujours localement les fermetures propres à chaque espèce.
- FerméeUnderwater hunting (zemūdens medības) in all inland watersmars 1 – avr. 30
Underwater hunting is prohibited from 1 March to 30 April in all waters EXCEPT the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal waters, where it remains permitted (Regulation No. 800, paragraph 41).
- RéglementéeUnderwater hunting - no night huntingsunset – sunrise
Underwater hunting gear may not be used from sunset to sunrise (Regulation No. 800, paragraph 39.6).
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Purchase online at makskeresanaskarte.lv or manacope.lv; also sold via retail networks (Maxima, Narvesen) and Latvijas Pasts post offices. From 10 January 2026, coastal catches of six specified species must be registered electronically.
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · makskeresanaskarte.lv
- Type
- Fishing, crayfishing and underwater hunting card (Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karte / e-karte)
- Coût
- EUR 1.50 (1 day), EUR 7.50 (3 months), EUR 15.00 (1 year)
- Validité
- 1 day, 3 months, or 1 year depending on card type
- Comment l'obtenir
- Purchase online at makskeresanaskarte.lv or manacope.lv; also sold via retail networks (Maxima, Narvesen) and Latvijas Pasts post offices. From 10 January 2026, coastal catches of six specified species must be registered electronically.
- Autorité
- Ministry of Agriculture / Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC)
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Only muscle-powered (band/spring) spearguns allowed - no pneumatic/explosive power
- Harpoon tip width must not exceed 10 cm
- Scuba / aqualung / autonomous breathing apparatus prohibited (free-diving only)
- A brightly coloured marker buoy with at least 8 kg buoyancy must be attached to the diver
- Spearfishing gear may only be used while the person is underwater
- Use of any nets to take catch during underwater hunting is prohibited
- Forbidden to be on shore or in water with a loaded speargun closer than 20 m from shoreline at public recreation areas
- No use of underwater hunting gear from sunset to sunrise
Children under 16 may not use underwater hunting gear without parental/adult supervision (Regulation No. 800, para. 39.2).
Ce que vous pouvez prélever
Limites de capture et espèces protégées
Quotas journaliers, tailles minimales et espèces qui ne doivent jamais être prélevées.
Limite journalière
General recreational daily catch limits under Regulation No. 800 apply. From 2026 in the Baltic Sea / Gulf of Riga: max 1 salmon per day and only farmed salmon with a clipped adipose fin may be kept (wild salmon must be released); spearfishers must verify the clipped fin before shooting.
Tailles minimales
- Pike (līdaka)min 50 cm
- Brown trout (taimiņš)min 35 cm
- Salmon (lasis)min 60 cm
Espèces protégées — ne pas prélever
- ProtégéeCod (menca) - retention banned in all Baltic Sea / Gulf of Riga recreational fishing and underwater hunting from 2026 (accidental catch retainable only in sub-zones 28.1 and 28.2)
- ProtégéeWild salmon without a clipped adipose fin - must be released
Minimum sizes and species daily limits are set by Regulation No. 800 annexes and apply equally to underwater hunting. Closed (spawning) seasons for individual species (e.g. pike 1 Mar-30 Apr, asp 1 Mar-15 May, zander 16 Apr-31 May) also restrict what may be taken. Verify current annex values before fishing.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
AutoriséeExigences
- Same fishing/crayfishing/underwater hunting card (e-karte) as residents - no separate foreigner permit
- Card not required for persons under 16 or over 65, or persons with disabilities (with ID/disability certificate)
Restrictions
- Must comply with all Regulation No. 800 equipment, zone, season and catch rules
- Where licensed underwater hunting is organised, an additional licence is required in addition to the card
No nationality-based restriction found; the card is purchasable online so visitors can obtain it before diving.
Résidents
Fishing, crayfishing and underwater hunting card (Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karte / e-karte)
Exigences
- Hold a valid card while underwater hunting (ages 16-65)
- Carry personal ID or disability certificate if exempt from the card
Avantages
- Persons under 16 and over 65 and persons with disabilities are exempt from buying the card
Same rules apply to residents and non-residents; from 10 January 2026 coastal catches of six specified species must be registered electronically.
Où sur la côte
Zones autorisées et interdites
Zones nommées ouvertes ou fermées à la chasse sous-marine. Voir l'image complète sur la carte interactive.
Zones autorisées
Underwater hunting permitted in the Baltic Sea coastal waters; also exempt from the 1 March - 30 April inland closed season. From 2026 additional Baltic Sea rules apply (cod retention banned, salmon limited to one clipped-fin fish per day).
Valid e-card required (ages 16-65); muscle-powered speargun only; scuba banned; buoy required; min 20 m from shore at public recreation areas; 2026 cod/salmon retention limits.
Underwater hunting permitted in the Gulf of Riga coastal waters; exempt from the 1 March - 30 April inland closed season.
Valid e-card required (ages 16-65); muscle-powered speargun only; scuba banned; buoy required; 2026 Baltic Sea cod/salmon retention limits apply.
Underwater hunting permitted in private lakes where fishing rights do not belong to the state, with the owner's permission. Subject to the 1 March - 30 April closed season.
Owner's permission required; valid e-card; subject to 1 March - 30 April closure.
Zones interdites
- Public recreation areas - within 20 m of shorelinesafety exclusion zone
It is prohibited to be on shore or in water with a loaded speargun closer than 20 metres from the shoreline at public recreation areas (Regulation No. 800, paragraph 39.3).
- State inland waters without licensed underwater huntingregulatory restriction
Outside the Baltic Sea / Gulf of Riga coastal waters and private lakes (with owner permission), underwater hunting is only allowed where licensed underwater hunting (licencētās zemūdens medības) is specifically organised. General state inland waters are otherwise off-limits to spearfishing.
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Latvia, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Baltic Sea coastal waters of Latvia.
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia (Zemkopības ministrija)
fisheries authority / agriculture ministry
Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC) - Fisheries Division (operator of the fishing card system)
fishing card administrator
makskeresanaskarte.lvinfo@makskeresanaskarte.lv, +371 29460886State Environmental Service (Valsts vides dienests)
environmental enforcement / inspection
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību noteikumi (Cabinet Regulation No. 800, 22.12.2015) - consolidated text
Officiellelikumi.lvConsulté le juin 14 - [02]
Par zvejas, makšķerēšanas un zemūdens medību papildu regulējumu Baltijas jūrā 2026. gadā - Ministry of Agriculture / makskeresanaskarte.lv
Officiellemakskeresanaskarte.lvConsulté le juin 14 - [03]
Makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karte - prices (products page)
Officiellemakskeresanaskarte.lvConsulté le juin 14 - [04]
Tiks ieviesti jauni īstermiņa makšķerēšanas, vēžošanas un zemūdens medību karšu veidi - Cabinet of Ministers
Officiellemk.gov.lvConsulté le juin 14 - [05]
Fishing season, rules, restrictions, fish limits and sizes in Latvia - Fishing Guide Latvia
Secondairefishingguidelatvia.comConsulté le juin 14
Notes du chercheur
Spearfishing in Latvia is termed 'zemūdens medības' (underwater hunting) and is governed by Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 800 (22.12.2015), administered by the Ministry of Agriculture; the consolidated text on likumi.lv was used for verbatim provisions. Core rules: allowed in Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal waters, in private lakes (non-state fishing rights) with owner permission, and where licensed underwater hunting is organised; muscle-powered speargun only (tip <=10 cm); scuba/autonomous breathing apparatus banned (free-diving only); marker buoy (>=8 kg buoyancy) required; no use sunset-to-sunrise; not within 20 m of shore at public recreation areas with a loaded gun; under-16 require adult supervision. Closed season 1 March-30 April applies in all waters except the Baltic Sea/Gulf of Riga coastal waters. A fishing/crayfishing/underwater hunting e-card is required for ages 16-65 (EUR 1.50/day, 7.50/3 months, 15/year). From 2026, additional Baltic Sea rules (EU Council Reg. 2025/2454) ban retaining cod and limit salmon to one clipped-fin specimen per day, explicitly covering underwater hunters; from 10 Jan 2026 coastal catches of six specified species must be registered electronically. Verbatim paragraph texts (37, 38, 39, 41) were quoted from likumi.lv; some clauses (e.g. the full tail of paras 37 and 41 and Regulation No. 800 species-size annex values) were truncated by the fetch tool's quote limit and are marked with '[...]' - verify full annex figures against the likumi.lv source before relying on exact minimum sizes.
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