Fishing in Hungary

Hungary has warm, clean waters; the most common fish are bream, carp, catfish, pike and zander. Fishing is popular and there are about 400,000 registered anglers. The most frequented fishing areas are the Danube and Tisza Rivers, as well as the Balaton, Tisza and Velence Lakes. Private fishing lakes are also very popular, while in Hungary's north, there are stretches of river suitable for fly fishing. There are also many other rivers and lakes suitable for fishing. In Budapest, fishing is permitted in certain sections of the Danube River and in the 13 lakes in and around Budapest.

The country's water surface measures about 130.000 ha, of which 70.000 ha is used by anglers and fishing organisations, and 30.000 ha by anglers only. A wide range of water is under environmental protection, but this does not limit angling activities.

For a map which shows where fishing is permitted Click Here.

Licences & Regulations

Fishing is regulated by law in Hungary. Guidelines on best fishing practices in Hungarian waters include:

Environmental protection
Size limit according to fish type
Seasons when fishing is closed
Quantitative restrictions
Special legislation for children
Polluting lakes and rivers is strictly against the law and any evidence of pollution must be reported to the authorities or owner.

The Hungarian National Anglers' Association has further information about the law.

Fishing Licences (State Angling Ticket)

A state angling ticket is valid for one year and is sold by the government; it costs less than ten euros. The ticket is free of charge for youth below the age of 14 and pensioners who are older than 70.

For registration you need:

ID card or passport
Fishing license from your respective country
Phone number
Mothers maiden name
Current address

After registration you get a personal identification number and you are immediately entitled to buy the Hungarian fishing license and the catch/log book.

For further information about getting a state angling ticket can be found here.

Regional licence

A territorial waters' permit is issued by the licensee who has the fishing rights for a specific water area. This could be, for example, a fishing association, company, an individual or the government.

Logbook

It is compulsory for every angler who has a state angling ticket to document their catch in their logbook, which must then be sent to their fishing association by the end of each year. If this rule is disobeyed, the angler's state angling ticket will not be renewed the following year.

Any fish which is caught which is prohibited and/or does not conform to the size limitation must be immediately recorded in the logbook.

Seasons

The Carp fishing season in Hungary runs from the first working day following 1st June through to the last working day prior to 1st May. Some lakes may close in the winter, weather dependant.