(Carnikva lamprey)
Carnikavas nēģi refers to river lampreys, both fresh and cooked in aspic. River lampreys are caught in the river Gauja in the municipality of Carnikava between August and February. They are fed in the wild and have a body long between 23 to 52 cm and are dark blue-green, blue-gray or green-brown.
In comparison to fish from other rivers, they are clean and contain no sand. Lampreys are cooked over a coal fire and set in aspic in a 70% to 30 % ratio. Since the 17th century, lamprey fishing has been one of the main sources of income in the area.
Traditional skills have been preserved and applied - fishermen are taught not to fish during the full moon and to fish in muddy water. Today Carnikava is the only place on the banks of Gauja where the fishing of lampreys is allowed. This municipality is known as the lamprey kingdom and has the fish featured on its coat of arms.
Carnikava lampreys are promoted annually on Lamprey Festival, which attracts visitors from all over Latvia to eat and celebrate this fantastic fish.
