Fishing Calendar 2025: Plan Your Perfect Catch

Fishing forecast

Fishing success isn't just about skill—it’s about understanding the right conditions, fish habits, and other key factors. To help you plan, we present the Fishing Calendar 2025 based on the lunar cycle. Use it to make the most of your fishing trips and enjoy every moment by the water.

January

Cold weather makes fishing difficult. Anglers either head onto the ice or search for open water to target predators.

Active fish

• Perch: Active year-round, found in both deep and shallow water.
• Pike: Hunts near ice holes; use live bait or spinners.
• Zander (Pike Perch): Prefers deep waters; heavier baits and proper technique are key.

Tips

1. Use light tackle with cold-resistant reels.
2. Keep warm with a high-quality thermos.
3. Bloodworms are a top bait choice in winter.
4. Drill multiple holes to find active spots.
5. Fish early morning or late evening for better results.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 2, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27.

Peak Activity: 3-9, 21-25.

February

The coldest month often brings the slowest bite, but determined anglers can still find success.

Active fish

• Zander: Bites on spinners in deep waters.
• Pike: Can be caught at greater depths.
• Perch: Activity increases toward the end of the month.
• Roach: Begins moving toward river mouths.

Tips

• Weather conditions are unpredictable—be prepared.
• Fish gather in areas with food and shelter.
• Knowing the lakebed structure helps locate fish.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 1, 8-10, 17-19, 25, 26.

Peak Activity: 2-7, 20-24.

March

Longer daylight hours and warming water make fish more active.

Active fish

• Roach: Gathers in large schools before spawning.
• Pike & Zander: Moderate activity but still hunting.
• Crucian Carp: Requires active searching with feeder tactics.

Regarding crucian carp - Alexey Strashnyi gives his comment:

An important factor is to actively search for it. Using feeder, you can actively search for crucian carp and throw bait "under your nose" - this will be success.

Tips

• Float rods are effective in shallow areas.
• Prepare bait in advance (bloodworms, porridge, etc.).
• Fish near ice edges and calm waters.
• Use micro jigs or small wobblers in clear water.
• Beware of thinning ice in late March.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 2, 10-12, 19-21, 27.

Peak Activity: 3-9, 22-26.

April

Fish prepare for spawning, reducing overall activity.

Active fish

• Carp & Grass Carp: Move toward warmer shallow waters.

Tips

• Fish in sunlit areas where water warms faster.
• Observe local fishing regulations (spawning restrictions).
• Use bottom gear and vegetable-based baits (corn, peas).
• Fish are focused on spawning, so expect slower bites.

What is the best way to feed carp in the spring?

Use simple ingredients - boiled hemp (you can grind it or not), sweet corn, but not hard (which is on the market, because it takes a long time to cook it and it will be tough), and soft corn in cans, for example Bonduelle. Or you can use frozen corn in bags (sold in supermarkets). When defrosted, it becomes soft, sweet and juicy. The most important thing is that it gives a haze when it gets into the water. This is the simplest and most effective spod mix at this time of year.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 8-10, 17-20, 25-26, 30.

Peak Activity: 1-7, 21-24.

May

Fish recover from spawning and become more active.

Active fish

• Carp, Crucian Carp & Pike: Strong feeding behavior resumes.

Tips

• Catch pike with spinning gear using wobblers and spinners.
• Use feeders for carp and crucian carp with cereals, peas, or corn.
• Intensive baiting attracts fish.
• Fish early morning or evening for best results.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 8-10, 17-19, 24-25, 29.

Peak Activity: 1-7, 20-23, 30-31.

June

Active fish

• Bream: Caught best with bottom gear and natural baits.
• Zander: Active on surface lures at night.

Tips

• Try night fishing for better success.
• Mosquito repellent is a must.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 6-9, 15-18, 23, 28.

Peak Activity: 1-5, 19-22, 29-30.

July

Active fish

• Carp, Tench & Catfish: Still feeding, but less active in heat.

Tips

• Fish early in the morning or late in the evening for better chances of success.
• Look for fish in shaded areas where they seek shelter from the sun.

What affects the behavior of carp:

• temperature;
• oxygen;
• pressure;
• presence or absence of natural food.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 6-8, 15-17, 22, 27.

Peak Activity: 1-5, 18-21, 28-31.

August

Active fish

• Perch & Pike: Respond well to jigs and surface lures.

Tips

• Use a jig to catch perch and surface baits for pike.
• Live bait: Effective for catching predatory fish like pike and zander.
• Location: Target areas near underwater vegetation and depth changes.
• Observation: Watch for signs of fish activity, such as surface disturbances or predator movements.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 5-7, 13-15, 20-21, 26.

Peak Activity: 1-4, 16-19, 27-31.

September

Active fish

• Pike Perch, Bream & Perch: Feeding increases as temperatures drop.

Tips

• Increase the size of the baits to attract larger fish.
• For pike perch and perch, use jigs and spinners.
• Fish bream on a feeder using a variety of cereals and worms.
• Look for fish at depth and in holes.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 3-5, 11-13, 19, 24.

Peak Activity: 1-2, 14-18, 25-30.

October

Active fish

• Pike & Bream: Remain active in deep waters.

Tips

• Fish on sunny days when they are more active. On less favorable days, use the time to prepare your gear and strategy.
• Use live bait to catch pike. If you prefer to catch your own bait, check out our guide for useful tips.
• Catch bream using a feeder rig with bloodworms as bait.
• Focus on deeper areas with a slow current where fish tend to gather.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 3-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24.

Peak Activity: 1-2, 13-17, 25-31.

November

Active fish

• Zander & Perch: Active before winter sets in.

Tips

• Pay attention to the depth where the fish are looking for warm water.
• Start using winter baits, even if there is no ice yet.
• Fish during the day when it is a little warmer.
• Dress warmly and bring a thermos with a hot drink.

Best Fishing Days

Good Bites: 2-3, 9-11, 17-18, 23.

Peak Activity: 1, 12-16, 24-30.

December

Active fish

With the onset of frost, ice begins to form, which opens the winter fishing season. Pike and perch actively bite on winter baits. Of course, in recent years there has rarely been ice in Ukraine, but for a certain time there was definitely ice.

Tips

• As winter sets in and ice begins to form, the ice fishing season begins.
• Pike and perch remain active and readily bite on winter lures.
• Although recent winters have seen little ice, there have been periods of stable ice cover, allowing for traditional winter fishing.

Best Fishing Days

Good biting: 1-3, 8-11, 16-17, 23, 31.

Peak of biting activity: 12-15, 24-30.

Fishing calendar for 2025

This 2025 Fishing Calendar is your guide to making the most of every fishing trip. Consider seasonal fish behavior, follow bite forecasts, and prepare your gear accordingly. Happy fishing!