Fishing places
Mediterranean and Black Sea
Almost no tide, clear water, and a species list that shares little with the Atlantic a few hundred miles west. Where European spearfishing is most established, and most tightly regulated.
Being listed here is not permission to fish.
Access, fishing rights, seasons, licences, local bylaws and permitted methods vary and can change. Check the current rules and permission for the specific water before fishing. FishingHQ describes what the ground is and names who holds the answer; it does not hold the answer itself, and it does not tell you where to go and catch a fish.
Find the authority for a jurisdiction · What FishingHQ does and does not cover
- 19 fishing regions and destinations
- 26 publicly documented places
Regions and destinations
Each of these is a full guide: what fishing there is like, what dominates, the water available, how the rules are structured and who administers them.
- Balearic IslandsA near-tideless archipelago on its own shelf, with water clear enough that sight matters more than scent, extensive seagrass meadows that decide where everything lives, and a squid and cephalopod tradition that defines the local fishing year.
- BulgariaA Black Sea coast, a long lower-Danube frontage and a mountainous interior full of reservoirs — administered by a single national recreational fishing ticket that covers salt and fresh water alike, which is unusual anywhere in Europe.
- CyprusThe eastern Mediterranean's largest island: warm, clear, nutrient-poor water with almost no tide, a shore fishery of small resident fish, and a reservoir network that makes it one of the few Mediterranean islands with real freshwater fishing.
- GreeceFifteen thousand kilometres of coast, six thousand islands, a sea that is nearly tideless and among the least productive on earth — and permission that comes from the harbourmaster rather than from any fisheries body.
- ItalyEight thousand kilometres of Mediterranean coast, an Alpine river system at the other end of the same country, and a spearfishing tradition that shaped the equipment the rest of the world uses.
- Malta and GozoA small, intensely visited limestone archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean, where everything is reachable on foot or by bus, the diving sector is enormous relative to the size of the place, and the local fishing culture is far older than the tourism.
- MediterraneanA nearly enclosed, low-tide, historically overfished sea with the oldest continuous fishing culture in the world and the strongest spearfishing tradition in Europe.
- RomaniaEurope's largest and best-preserved river delta, six hundred kilometres of lower Danube, a short Black Sea coast — and the continent's most severe fish conservation problem swimming through all three.
- SpainTwo seas, seventeen fishing administrations and one of Europe's largest shore and spearfishing cultures — where the first question is never what the rule is but which government sets it.
- The Aegean and CreteSeveral thousand islands in a warm, clear, nutrient-poor sea with almost no tide and a wind that blows for days — and a fishery whose problem is that everything in it has been fished for four thousand years.
- The Black SeaA sea that is nearly fresh at the top, permanently dead at the bottom, and fed by four of Europe's largest rivers. Almost nine tenths of its water holds no oxygen at all, so its entire fishery lives in a thin surface layer.
- The Croatian AdriaticA thousand islands on drowned limestone, the clearest coastal water in the Mediterranean, almost no tide and a fierce local wind — and the densest spearfishing culture in Europe.
- The DanubeEurope's second-longest river, crossing or bordering ten countries, holding the continent's largest freshwater predators and its most serious freshwater conservation failure — and the clearest possible demonstration that a river's rules change at every border.
- The Moroccan Mediterranean coastWarm, clear and effectively tideless, fed by Atlantic water pouring through Gibraltar that makes the Alboran the most productive corner of the Mediterranean — and a completely different fishery from the Atlantic coast a few hours' drive away.
- The River EbroSpain's largest river by flow, dammed into a chain of vast reservoirs, and the water that made wels catfish a destination fishery for northern European anglers — almost entirely on species that are not native to it.
- The Soča and Slovenia's Adriatic riversAn isolated Adriatic drainage in the Julian Alps holding a salmonid that exists almost nowhere else — the marble trout — reduced to a handful of pure populations and rebuilt from them.
- The Strait of GibraltarFourteen kilometres between two continents, where Atlantic water flows in on the surface and Mediterranean water flows out beneath it, and where tuna have been intercepted in fixed traps for three thousand years.
- The Strait of MessinaA narrow channel where two seas at different levels exchange water twice a day, driving deep-sea fish to the surface and supporting a swordfish harpoon fishery of documented antiquity.
- The Western BalkansLimestone rivers of extraordinary clarity, three ancient lakes, and the densest cluster of endemic salmonids in Europe — inside a region where fisheries law is written below the national level and the fish are older than the borders.
Every place, listed
26 publicly documented fishing places, grouped by the area they belong to. This is the complete list — everything plotted on the map above is here, and nothing here needs the map to reach it.
Balearic Islands 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Balearic Islands
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. The Balearic Islands license their own recreational sea, boat and underwater fishing, and the archipelago carries an extensive network of marine reserves and seagrass protections with rules that differ reserve by reserve. Measures, seasons and reserve boundaries change. Check the current position with the Balearic government's fisheries administration before going.
Formentera and Es Freus
Sound or strait · Salt water
The channel of shallow islets and sand between Ibiza and Formentera, floored by one of the largest and oldest continuous posidonia seagrass meadows in the world, with white sand between the meadows and rock on the islets.
Severe hazards here: boat traffic and being seen, cliffs and rock platforms.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The north coast of Menorca
Rock mark · Salt water
An indented coast of dark, older rock on the northern side of Menorca — geologically quite unlike the island's limestone south — with steep cliffs, small deep coves and boulder ground below the surface.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, boat traffic and being seen.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
France 3 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in France
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in France is not generally licensed for shore angling, but national and European measures on species, sizes, quantities and gear apply, some quarry carries a declaration or marking requirement, and access to structures, beaches and shellfish grounds is governed locally. All of it changes. Check the current position with the maritime prefecture or the departmental directorate for the sea, and with the commune, before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in France is not generally licensed for shore angling, but national and European measures on species, sizes, quantities and gear apply, some quarry carries a declaration or marking requirement, and access to structures, beaches and shellfish grounds is governed locally. All of it changes. Check the current position with the maritime prefecture or the departmental directorate for the sea, and with the commune, before going. This water is tidal and transitional, so the freshwater regime may also apply above the tidal limit: FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in France runs through membership: an angler joins an approved local fishing association, which is affiliated to a departmental federation, and pays the national levy alongside it — so the permission and the licence arrive together and are bought from the association rather than from a state counter. Waters, seasons, methods and reciprocity arrangements differ by department and change. Check with the departmental fishing federation and the local association before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in France runs through membership: an angler joins an approved local fishing association, which is affiliated to a departmental federation, and pays the national levy alongside it — so the permission and the licence arrive together and are bought from the association rather than from a state counter. Waters, seasons, methods and reciprocity arrangements differ by department and change. Check with the departmental fishing federation and the local association before going.
The Calanques
Cove · Salt water
A sequence of steep limestone inlets cut into the coast between Marseille and Cassis, with white cliffs, small shingle beaches at their heads, boulder and rock underwater and deep clear water immediately offshore.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, boat traffic and being seen, tides and being cut off, moving water and currents.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The Étang de Thau
Estuary · Brackish water
A large shallow coastal lagoon on the French Mediterranean coast, separated from the sea by a sand bar and exchanging through channels at Sète, with soft mud, extensive eelgrass and an oyster and mussel culture occupying much of its area.
Severe hazards here: tides and being cut off, moving water and currents.
Particular to this water: Shellfish harvesting areas are classified for food safety and are opened and closed on monitoring results a gatherer cannot see. Neither cooking nor appearance removes a biotoxin. Check the current classification with the responsible authority before taking anything.
The Rhône at Lyon
Confluence · Fresh water
The meeting of the Rhône and the Saône in the middle of Lyon: two large rivers of quite different character — one cold, fast and Alpine-fed, the other slow, warm and turbid — joining between engineered quays in the city centre.
Severe hazards here: tides and being cut off, moving water and currents.
Particular to this water: This is working water-management or navigation infrastructure, operated to a schedule set by its authority rather than by anything happening in the fishing, and access to it is that authority's decision.
Greece 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Greece
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Greece is permitted through the port authority rather than a national angling body, boat and underwater fishing carry their own separate permissions, and underwater fishing is subject to distance rules from bathers, harbours and moored craft and to equipment prohibitions. Archaeological protection closes water in places for reasons that have nothing to do with fisheries. All of it changes. Check the current position with the local port authority before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Greece is permitted through the port authority rather than a national angling body, boat and underwater fishing carry their own separate permissions, and underwater fishing is subject to distance rules from bathers, harbours and moored craft and to equipment prohibitions. Archaeological protection closes water in places for reasons that have nothing to do with fisheries. All of it changes. Check the current position with the local port authority before going. This water is tidal and transitional, so the freshwater regime may also apply above the tidal limit: FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Greek fresh water is limited, seasonal and administered by the region and the decentralised administration, with protected wetlands and salmonid streams treated separately again. Check with the regional authority before going.
Cape Sounion
Headland · Salt water
The southern tip of Attica: a marble and schist headland falling to a rock shore with ledges and boulder at the water's edge, deep water immediately off it, and the temple of Poseidon on the summit above.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, weather and lightning.
Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish. This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water.
The Amvrakikos Gulf
Bay · Brackish water
An almost enclosed gulf in western Greece entered through a narrow shallow channel at Preveza, with soft mud bottom, extensive lagoons and reedbeds around its edges, and water that is brackish and stratified rather than fully marine.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, weather and lightning.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Shellfish harvesting areas are classified for food safety and are opened and closed on monitoring results a gatherer cannot see. Neither cooking nor appearance removes a biotoxin. Check the current classification with the responsible authority before taking anything.
Italy 5 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Italy
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in Italy is administered by the region — and in some places by the province below it — so licences, seasons, methods and stocking arrangements differ across a boundary a visitor will not notice. Many waters additionally need a day permit from the managing association, and all of it changes. Check with the regional fisheries administration and the local association before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Italy is registered nationally rather than licensed in the British sense, with quantity and species measures on top and separate treatment for underwater fishing, which has its own minimum age, its own equipment rules and its own prohibitions near bathers and moored craft. Marine protected areas along this coast carry zone-by-zone rules. Everything changes. Check the current position with the national fisheries ministry and the local port captaincy before going. This water is tidal and transitional, so the freshwater regime may also apply above the tidal limit: FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in Italy is administered by the region — and in some places by the province below it — so licences, seasons, methods and stocking arrangements differ across a boundary a visitor will not notice. Many waters additionally need a day permit from the managing association, and all of it changes. Check with the regional fisheries administration and the local association before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Italy is registered nationally rather than licensed in the British sense, with quantity and species measures on top and separate treatment for underwater fishing, which has its own minimum age, its own equipment rules and its own prohibitions near bathers and moored craft. Marine protected areas along this coast carry zone-by-zone rules. Everything changes. Check the current position with the national fisheries ministry and the local port captaincy before going.
Lago di Garda
Lake · Fresh water
The largest of the Italian pre-Alpine lakes: a deep glacial trough with near-vertical rock walls and very deep water in the northern arm, opening into a wider shallower southern basin with gravel and weed margins.
Severe hazards here: cold water shock, weather and lightning, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen, moving water and currents.
The Po at Mantua
River reach · Fresh water
A wide, slow, warm reach of the Po across the Lombard plain, with sand and silt bed, embanked and straightened over centuries, oxbows and side channels behind the levees, and the Mincio entering from the lakes above Mantua.
Severe hazards here: shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen, moving water and currents, cold water shock.
Particular to this water: This is working water-management or navigation infrastructure, operated to a schedule set by its authority rather than by anything happening in the fishing, and access to it is that authority's decision.
The Po delta
Estuary · Brackish water
The mouth of Italy's largest river, built out into the northern Adriatic as a low fan of distributary channels, reed, brackish lagoon and reclaimed farmland, carrying a heavy sediment and nutrient load into a shallow sea.
Severe hazards here: shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen, moving water and currents, cold water shock.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water.
The Portofino promontory
Headland · Salt water
A steep conglomerate headland projecting into the Ligurian Sea, cliffed on its seaward side, with vertical rock continuing far below the surface, coralligenous growth on the walls and deep water immediately off the point.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, boat traffic and being seen, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, moving water and currents, cold water shock.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The Venice lagoon
Estuary · Brackish water
The largest wetland in the Mediterranean: a shallow brackish lagoon behind a chain of barrier islands, with mud and sand flats, salt marsh, seagrass, dredged navigation channels and a network of enclosed fish-farming compartments of considerable antiquity.
Severe hazards here: shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen, moving water and currents, cold water shock.
Particular to this water: This is working water-management or navigation infrastructure, operated to a schedule set by its authority rather than by anything happening in the fishing, and access to it is that authority's decision. This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water.
Malta and Gozo 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Malta and Gozo
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Malta licenses recreational boat fishing and underwater fishing separately, underwater fishing carries its own age, equipment and area rules, and the islands' marine protected areas and bunkering zones constrain where anything may happen. Species measures — bluefin tuna above all — are managed internationally and change every season. Check the current position with the department responsible for fisheries and aquaculture before going.
Delimara Point
Headland · Salt water
A low limestone peninsula on the south-eastern corner of Malta, with wave-cut ledges at the water's edge, deep water immediately off the point and the traditional fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk in the bay behind it.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, boat traffic and being seen, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness.
Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
Dwejra, Gozo
Rock mark · Salt water
A limestone coast on the western side of Gozo with a collapsed cave forming a small enclosed lagoon connected to the sea by a tunnel through the cliff, boulder and rock shelf at the water's edge and deep clear water beyond.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, boat traffic and being seen, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
Mediterranean 1 place
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Mediterranean
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in France is not generally licensed for shore angling, but national and European measures on species, sizes, quantities and gear apply, some quarry carries a declaration or marking requirement, and access to structures, beaches and shellfish grounds is governed locally. All of it changes. Check the current position with the maritime prefecture or the departmental directorate for the sea, and with the commune, before going.
The Gulf of Lion shelf edge
Reef · Salt water
The outer edge of the widest continental shelf in the Mediterranean, cut by a series of submarine canyons that reach in towards the coast, with soft sediment on the shelf and hard ground and coralligenous growth on the canyon walls.
Severe hazards here: weather and lightning, boat traffic and being seen, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness.
Spain 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in Spain
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here, and in Spain the first question is which administration to ask. Recreational sea fishing, underwater fishing and shellfish gathering are licensed by the autonomous community rather than by the state, with separate licences for each and different validity in each community, and state and European measures apply on top. Everything changes. Establish which autonomous community this water belongs to, and check the current position with its fisheries administration, before going.
Cabo de Gata
Headland · Salt water
A volcanic headland on the arid south-eastern corner of Spain, with dark rock cliffs, boulder falls, small sand and shingle coves between them and extensive posidonia meadow offshore.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
Cap de Creus
Headland · Salt water
The easternmost point of mainland Spain: a peninsula of folded schist worn into fins, coves and islets where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean, with rock and posidonia below the surface and deep water immediately off the point.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The Aegean and Crete 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in The Aegean and Crete
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Greece is permitted through the port authority rather than a national angling body, boat and underwater fishing carry their own separate permissions, and underwater fishing is subject to distance rules from bathers, harbours and moored craft and to equipment prohibitions. Archaeological protection closes water in places for reasons that have nothing to do with fisheries. All of it changes. Check the current position with the local port authority before going.
The south coast of Crete
Rock mark · Salt water
A steep limestone coast where the White Mountains fall directly into the Libyan Sea, with cliffs, gorge mouths, shingle beaches at the foot of ravines and very deep water within a short distance of the shore.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, cliffs and rock platforms, weather and lightning, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness.
Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The west coast of Naxos
Beach section · Salt water
A run of sand bays and low granite headlands on the sheltered western side of the largest Cycladic island, with clean sand, posidonia meadow offshore and rock outcrops separating the beaches.
Severe hazards here: boat traffic and being seen, weather and lightning, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness.
Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The Croatian Adriatic 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in The Croatian Adriatic
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Croatia sells recreational sea fishing licences for fixed periods — a day, several days, a year — and treats underwater fishing as a separate category with its own licence, its own minimum age and its own prohibitions, including on the use of breathing apparatus. Protected areas, national parks and species measures apply on top and change. Check the current position with the ministry responsible for fisheries before going.
Cape Kamenjak
Headland · Salt water
The southernmost point of Istria: a low limestone peninsula worn into shelves, small coves and islets, with clear shallow water over rock inshore and deeper ground off the point.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, weather and lightning, boat traffic and being seen.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The Kornati islands
Island · Salt water
Some 140 bare karst islands, islets and reefs in the central Croatian Adriatic, almost without soil or fresh water, with white limestone above the surface and vertical cliffs on the seaward side dropping into deep clear water.
Severe hazards here: drowning and immersion, weather and lightning, shallow water blackout and breath-hold loss of consciousness, boat traffic and being seen.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.
The River Ebro 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in The River Ebro
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in Spain is licensed by the autonomous community, and a great many waters additionally require a separate permit issued per water and frequently per day, often by ballot on the better rivers. Seasons, methods and permit systems differ between neighbouring communities and change. Establish which community administers this water and check with it before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here, and in Spain the first question is which administration to ask. Recreational sea fishing, underwater fishing and shellfish gathering are licensed by the autonomous community rather than by the state, with separate licences for each and different validity in each community, and state and European measures apply on top. Everything changes. Establish which autonomous community this water belongs to, and check the current position with its fisheries administration, before going. This water is tidal and transitional, so the freshwater regime may also apply above the tidal limit: FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Inland fishing in Spain is licensed by the autonomous community, and a great many waters additionally require a separate permit issued per water and frequently per day, often by ballot on the better rivers. Seasons, methods and permit systems differ between neighbouring communities and change. Establish which community administers this water and check with it before going.
The Ebro at Mequinensa
Reservoir · Fresh water
A long impounded reach of the Ebro behind a hydroelectric dam in Aragón, running through steep dry country, with deep water against rock walls, submerged former river channel and standing timber, and shallow arms where tributaries enter.
Particular to this water: This is working water-management or navigation infrastructure, operated to a schedule set by its authority rather than by anything happening in the fishing, and access to it is that authority's decision.
The Ebro delta
Estuary · Brackish water
A large low-lying delta projecting into the Mediterranean, built of river sediment, with rice fields across its interior, shallow brackish bays behind sand spits on both flanks, extensive reed and a shifting sand mouth.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water.
The Soča and Slovenia's Adriatic rivers 2 places
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in The Soča and Slovenia's Adriatic rivers
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Slovenia's coast is short and its recreational sea fishing is licensed by the state, with species and gear measures and with a protected landscape covering part of it. Check the current position with the ministry responsible for agriculture, forestry and food before going.
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here, and Slovenia's inland arrangement is unusual enough to be worth stating plainly: the fishing on each stretch of river is managed by a fishing family — a local association holding the concession — which sells a permit for that water for a day at a time, sets the methods, and on the marble trout waters runs catch-and-release and barbless conditions as a term of the permit. Beats, quotas and seasons change. Check with the fishing family managing the water before going.
The Slovenian coast at Piran
Headland · Salt water
A short flysch and sandstone coast at the head of the Adriatic, with a walled headland at Piran, shallow shelving rock and mud offshore, and salt pans and a protected cliff coast either side of it.
Severe hazards here: moving water and currents.
Particular to this water: This ground lies in or beside a marine protected area whose zoning constrains fishing, diving, anchoring and collection independently of any licence, with rules that differ between zones and boundaries that are not visible from the water. This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.
The Soča at Most na Soči
Confluence · Fresh water
The meeting of the Soča and the Idrijca in western Slovenia, where two clear alpine rivers of the same extraordinary blue-green colour join above an impounded reach, over a bed of white limestone gravel and boulder.
Severe hazards here: moving water and currents.
The Strait of Messina 1 place
Who to ask before fishing anywhere in The Strait of Messina
FishingHQ does not know the current access position here. Recreational sea fishing in Italy is registered nationally rather than licensed in the British sense, with quantity and species measures on top and separate treatment for underwater fishing, which has its own minimum age, its own equipment rules and its own prohibitions near bathers and moored craft. Marine protected areas along this coast carry zone-by-zone rules. Everything changes. Check the current position with the national fisheries ministry and the local port captaincy before going.
Punta del Faro, Messina
Tidal race · Salt water
The north-eastern tip of Sicily at the narrowest point of the Strait of Messina, with a shingle and sand point, two coastal lagoons behind it and deep scoured water in the channel a short distance offshore.
Severe hazards here: moving water and currents, boat traffic and being seen.