If anyone violates the prohibition and goes onto the ice, they may be facing a fine up to €100.
"Today, police are surveying areas where ice fishermen are most commonly gathered. In view of the fact that the ban has been imposed in the middle of the day, today the police will not be imposing penalties, instead simply inviting them to step off," said Toms Sadovskis, spokesman for Riga Municipal Police.
Over the weekend, the police will keep an eye on the water bodies so there is nobody on ice, though judging by previous years some hardcore ice fishermen are still willing to risk it on anything thicker than the skin of a rice pudding.
