More than 5 tons of fish will be stocked in Lake Lepel

One of the largest lakes in the region, Lake Lepel, is being stocked with fish in the Vitebsk region today. Approximately 5.4 tons of fish will be released into it during the day. This was reported by the regional organizational structure of the Republican state-public association "Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen".

"Lake Lepel is a favorite among fishermen. A large number of people come here for summer and winter fishing. In addition, the reservoir topped the popularity rating compiled based on a survey of fishermen in the region," explained the regional structure of the BOHF, clarifying the choice of the reservoir and emphasizing that Lake Lepel is one of the largest in the region, with an area of 10.18 sq. km.

The main part of the stocking material is carp - 4.9 tons; in addition, 300 kg of crucian carp and 200 kg of pike are being released into the reservoir. "These are not fry, but fish of different ages weighing from 100 g to 600 g; such stocking material adapts better in reservoirs. The fish were purchased from one of the region's fish farms using contributions collected from fishermen. Approximately Br160 million was spent on these purposes," the regional structure of the BOHF reported.

Ecologists helped fishermen determine exactly what kind of fish and how much of it should be stocked in the lake (to ensure sufficient food base and not disrupt the system's balance). The stocking process itself is carried out under the supervision of specialists from the State Inspectorate for Animal and Plant Life Protection. "The fish need time to disperse throughout the lake and find suitable habitats, so we will ask the environmental protection inspectorate to impose a fishing ban on the reservoir until November 15," the association shared.

Specialists noted that this is not the first experience of autumn stocking of reserve lakes in the region, where free amateur fishing is permitted. "Approximately 5 tons of fish were released into small lakes in the Vitebsk, Lepel, and Orsha districts last year," the association reported, adding that the previous stocking of Lake Lepel took place about 5 years ago.

Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.