Fishing was one of the most traditional ways of making a living. Fishing in running water had been done the same way for centuries; only in the 13th century did monasteries begin to establish fishponds, particularly for breeding carp. Fish was considered Lenten food and, given the frequency of religious holidays and fasting days (up to one third of the days in the year) they became an essential part of the diet. The greatest boom in fisheries and fish farming in the Czech lands came in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Fishing methods made use of various tools and traps, such as bones, wicker baskets, bottomless baskets, fishing line or rod with hook and hemp nets with stone weights. All rivers belonged to the King and were leased to towns. Fishing was permitted only on prescribed days and hours. Some noblemen, despite this regulation, banned townspeople from fishing on pain of death.
Nets were set by day, because fishing at night was prohibited. Rod and line fishing was allowed even by those without a net fishing permit, since the catch rate of rod fishing was insignificant.
Fishing was one of the most traditional ways of making a living. Fishing in running water had been done the same way for centuries; only in the 13th century did monasteries begin to establish fishponds, particularly for breeding carp. Fish was considered Lenten food and, given the frequency of religious holidays and fasting days (up to one third of the days in the year) they became an essential part of the diet. The greatest boom in fisheries and fish farming in the Czech lands came in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Fishing methods made use of various tools and traps, such as bones, wicker baskets, bottomless baskets, fishing line or rod with hook and hemp nets with stone weights. All rivers belonged to the King and were leased to towns. Fishing was permitted only on prescribed days and hours. Some noblemen, despite this regulation, banned townspeople from fishing on pain of death.
Nets were set by day, because fishing at night was prohibited. Rod and line fishing was allowed even by those without a net fishing permit, since the catch rate of rod fishing was insignificant.