Fishing is one of the oldest human activities. During the Neolithic period, fishing was widespread and played a paramount role in the livelihoods of some communities. The abundance of river fauna in the region allowed fishermen to focus on larger species, making their jobs easier.

The origins of fishing can be traced back to the Upper Paleolithic period. Archaeologists have recorded finds of fishing gear from that era and evidence of fish consumption in human bones. However, it was during the Mesolithic period, following the end of the Ice Age and the formation of numerous lakes and rivers, that fishing truly flourished. This era saw the emergence of settled human communities that relied heavily on fishing as their primary means of subsistence. The richness of the riverine, lacustrine, and marine ecosystems led to the establishment of long-lasting settlements, enabling a relatively stable lifestyle based on the appropriating economy (hunting, fishing and gathering).

With the advent of agriculture and animal husbandry in the Neolithic period, fishing, similar to hunting, lost its prominence in the economic activities of ancient societies. However, in the wooded areas of Eastern Europe, fishing continued to be a significant part of the economy for a long period of time.

The Neolithic societies of the Don region were skilled in pottery making. They decorated their vessels with notches, indentations, and incisions, which allowed scholars to group them into a single category known as pit-comb ware. These societies preferred to settle in areas near water bodies, primarily large rivers and their tributaries, as this provided them with access to freshwater, fish, and animals that gathered at these locations to drink.

There was some degree of specialization among different cultures. For instance, while the people of the Ryazan–Dolgoye culture emphasized hunting, the inhabitants of the Rybnoserskaya archaeological culture focused on fishing. Most Neolithic fish hooks were quite large, indicating that ancient people preferred catching large fish. These included sturgeon and catfish, which could reach significant sizes. For example, beluga could grow up to four meters in length and weigh up to one and a half tons.