Fishing in Daugava

Fishing tools are among the very first artefacts found in prehistoric settlements along Daugava. Over the course of time, the way of catching fish changed and developed in technical sense of the word while this occupation always allowed people to earn what they needed for living and for trade. Fishermen used nets, creels or fish-baskets and constructed fishing weirs placing them in the river. Since the 13th century, local manors owned the rights to catch fish in rivers and lakes taken over by state only in the 20th century interwar period.

Salmon was among the most valuable fish to catch in Daugava near Dole Island using special wood constructed fishing weirs placed into the river on rapids in late June and kept there until first frosts of November. Fishing with weirs was a collective enterprise of groups from 25 to more than 40 men. Similar system was applied for fishing eels in upstream region around Krustpils and Līvāni using creels made of fishing net.

Another kind of fish widespread in lower Daugava was lamprey. In 1920-1930s lamprey was even produced for export. Lamprey was caught in weirs like salmon but using special fish-baskets. The catch was processed immediately after getting lampreys on shore, and sold mainly in markets and to restaurants or individual tourists.