Biebrza marshes, a refuge for many species of birds, animals and fish, unique on a European scale, For two years now, they have been a national park covering a huge area of the Biebrza valley, from Wizna to the border with Belarus (without the so-called. its lagging area is approx. 56 thousand. he has).
Peat bogs covered with sedges with a forest of rustling reeds and picturesque clumps of birches characteristic of the Biebrza landscape, especially beautiful in a golden robe, autumn trees are the natural habitat of the moose. On the Biebrza flooded with spring water, Eggs, Millions of birds celebrate their mating season in Ełk and Wissy meadows and peat bogs, among them, battalions rarely found elsewhere. In countless oxbow lakes and deep river cavities, beautiful pikes hide – and getting rarer already – sums of several dozen kilos. Unfortunately, in the last dozen or so years, the process of very rapid degradation of the Biebrza marshes and the Biebrza itself and its tributaries has intensified. Establishment of the Biebrza National Park – the most correct decision for the reasons mentioned above – it means the introduction of certain restrictions for anglers. The already visible restoration of the fish stock should be the compensation. I was told, that this summer, among others. Shoals of tiny pikes have been observed in Biebrza. Perhaps such a large pike population was favored by this year's weather and the appropriate water level in the spawning grounds, however I believe, that the presence of park rangers over the waters was also important, which clearly "discouraged" poachers from catching pike during spawning. Restrictions for anglers include the prohibition of fishing in some areas, time constraints and license fees. Jegrznia from Ciszewo until its connection with the Ełk River became completely inaccessible to anglers. In Ełk (also called Łęg, and by the local drug) fishing from this connection is not allowed (along with the Woźnawiejski canal) until its estuary to Biebrza. Biebrza itself is inaccessible to anglers in the section from the old road bridge in Osowiec to the mouth of the Wissa River (Avissy). The attractive Palowa Jama located in this area is therefore completely inaccessible to anglers.
In my memories there are still vivid fishing and trapper trips up the Łęg by boat. I was drawn like a magnet by mysterious deep cavities on the so-called. Cichy Łeku and Na Cichej Jegrznia. I also remember Jama Bez Dna on Jegrznia below Ciszewa, over which I had a wonderful adventure with a magnificent pike and a beautiful harrier, where I experienced a nightmarish raid of bugs as large as half a thumb, from which I ran blindly with my jacket tightly wrapped around my eyes, face and neck.
Probably the ban on the use of combustion engines for boats introduced in the Biebrza National Park or the need to have a license, and finally the later than elsewhere starting the fishing season due to the breeding of birds will certainly contribute to better protection of the local fauna and flora and will reduce trampling on the Biebrza Valley. It would also be good if the criminal habit of burning dry reeds in the spring by the local population was uprooted.. Many times I saw the nests of lapwings consumed by the fire after the reed fires near Goniądz and Dawidowo, ducks, battalions and other birds.
License fees.
Prices of licenses for amateur fishing in the BbNN:
License for a year from boat and shore – 160 PLN.
License for a year from the shore – 140 PLN.
License for 14 days from boat and shore – 70 PLN.
License for 1 a day from the boat and the shore – 15 PLN.
Discount for the return of a completed fish catch register from the previous year, when purchasing an annual license, it is 10 PLN (with the catch record returned to 30 June).
As Mieczysław Brzezicki told me – main specialist of the BNP – management of the Park, taking into account the fish stock research carried out by the Inland Fisheries Institute, will consider the possibility of introducing certain quantitative restrictions on the licenses issued, as well as an increase in fishing charges next year. So where is the best place to fish in accordance with the BNP regulations?? The lower part of Biebrza is relatively easily accessible (especially from the village of Burzyn) to its confluence in Narew near Wizna. The bottom is generally hard there, pebbly in places. There are also a lot of sandy bumps, bends and cavities under the bushes. There is little underwater vegetation and reeds on the banks. You can find a fat pike there, pain, perch, lay, arches, roach and bream, There are catfish and zander. In more difficult places for spinning enthusiasts, supporters of live bait can count on meeting a specimen of the pike family. Spinners usually fish with spoons and spinners. Hardly anyone checks the effectiveness of wobblers. You hardly ever meet specialists in "jigging" with an eraser. This is a mistake. The local predators like pearl rippers and translucent twisters decorated with brocade.. The middle section of the river – up from the old road bridge in Osowiec, so towards Goniądz, Dawidowizny and Dolistowa – it's a completely different landscape of Biebrza. The river has fewer bends and a less varied bottom configuration (deep cavities, however, traditionally occur in bends). There is much more submerged vegetation and reeds there. The Biebrza River flows quite lazily among picturesque peat bogs and swamps. There are many steep sides and the so-called. perch shelves. There are exceptionally many oxbow lakes here, especially on the right side of Biebrza. There are no dangerous quakes, they can be walked around and waders are sometimes more useful than regular rubber boots.
The fish stock of this section of Biebrza is very varied. Supporters of the stationary method of fishing can choose the ide, curse, roach and perch. I advise you to hunt pike with live bait – and in deeper pits – on the sum. Spinning enthusiasts will probably face the local pike. Lots of them here, but rather medium size. The bottom of the Biebrza river is often covered with a carpet of grass waving in the current in straight sections. In them, pikes sit in the current. The ideal bait is a sensitively guided wobbler; quite deep, as long as it does not catch on the weed. Perch lurking under the side is good for small centrifuges and twisters. A large catfish can hit a wobbler or a rubber band led by the bottom of a deep pit. Its taking is often like a snag, who has it to himself, that after a while it comes to life… And that's when the fun begins!
Biebrza and the birds and fish that live there are beautiful. The created Biebrza National Park stopped the time of rapidly progressing environmental degradation. One can hope, that there will be more fish every year. Perhaps this will compensate for the loss of fisheries, which were recognized by the park's creator as particularly valuable and which will certainly become fish beds.
Finally, a piece of advice for anglers living far from Biebrza. Before going to the Biebrza National Park, it's best to call its management and make sure that there are still licenses.