The demand for mate has decreased, professional fishermen say.
The maggot, which thrives in deep channels, comes up to the shallows to spawn in midwinter. At the same time, it is also its catching season.
In North Savo and North Karelia, the spawning season is already over, according to professional fishermen contacted by Yle.
The mate spawning time varies from lake to lake. Usually further north the spawning peak is later.
Matikka remains in the box or in the rut
Mates moving to the spawning grounds can be caught to some extent during winter net fishing. From the shallows, it is asked for with katiski and rysi.
According to Jari Lehikoinen, the madefish catch has fallen to a third of previous years.
– I can’t think of any other reason than the fact that the water was half a meter lower than usual, he says.
Toni Sisson’s catch has been similar to previous years, i.e. a few hundred kilos.
Demand has decreased
Made is used in many dishes, but the traditional preparation method is made soup, to which liver is also added. The roe collected during the spawning season is suitable, for example, on top of blinis.
However, none of the fishermen Yle reached out to particularly invests in catching mate.
– The demand for Matika has steadily decreased. Few know how to handle it. I don’t know if the younger generation can even eat, Jari Lehikoinen thinks.
– Menekki has waned, but his own has been sold, says Toni Sisso.
Tomi Tuovinen focuses on walleye fishing. Made is a random catch.
– There are so many small things in Pielis that I haven’t considered it reasonable to ask for it, he says.
Thinner ice than usual
In December, fishermen struggled with difficult weather conditions. The positive weather at the turn of the year eased the situation, and according to the fishermen, it is now easier to move on the ice even with a sledge.
However, the ice is thinner than usual.
– Winter is getting short, Tomi Tuovinen predicts.