From 20 April 2020, the Government lifted certain restrictions, including the following:
- The ability to travel for recreational purposes (subject to social distancing and face coverings)
- Open access to forests and parks, excluding playgrounds.
The Executive Board of the Polish Angling Association has received information from the Secretariat of the Department of Fisheries at the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation regarding the possibility of recreational fishing http://www.pzw.org.pl/home/news/204450/60/attention_anglers_announcement_regarding_covid-19
The text of the announcement is as follows:
The Fisheries Department hereby informs you that, in accordance with the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 10 April 2020 on the establishment of certain restrictions, orders and prohibitions in connection with the declaration of a state of epidemic (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 658, as subsequently amended), the ban on the movement of persons within the territory of the Republic of Poland remains in force until 19 April 2020.
In accordance with announcements by the Prime Minister, the Government does not intend to extend this specific ban, which means that from 20 April 2020 the restrictions in this regard will no longer apply; consequently, anglers will be able to engage in recreational fishing both in ponds and in fishing grounds (primarily lakes, rivers and reservoir waters).
However, it is important to bear in mind the other safety measures that have been introduced and will remain in force in public spaces, such as covering one’s nose and mouth (e.g. with face masks) and maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres from other people.
One should also bear in mind the applicable conservation regulations and other requirements arising from the Act of 18 April 1985 on Inland Fisheries (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 2168, consolidated text) and its implementing regulations. It should be borne in mind, amongst other things, that recreational fishing may be carried out by a person holding a document authorising such fishing (a fishing licence or a spearfishing licence), and, if fishing takes place in waters belonging to a person authorised to fish there, they must also hold that person’s permission.
