Fishing in Croatia – Fishing License, Regulations, and the Best Spots

Active Vacation: Fishing in Croatia

Whether it's action-packed drills or hunting with an underwater harpoon – in the fishing paradise of Croatia, anglers can really let loose. The country offers hundreds of spots with its lakes and rivers to catch the biggest fish. Between the picturesque coastal sections, marble bream, groupers, and garfish are waiting for you. You can fish from the shore or sail over the sea with small boats. Big game fishing is also quite the adventure. In the open sea, monstrous tuna beyond the 100-kilogram mark await you! Croatia, with its constant summer weather, offers the ideal conditions for a relaxing fishing vacation – peppered with exciting catches. All that's missing is your perfect villa in Croatia! We introduce you to Croatia's fish species and fishing routes. Additionally, we provide tips for the best baits and important information about fishing licenses.

The Best Places to Fish

The Croatian Adriatic coast is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. The Kvarner Bay is a mecca for anglers. The vast sea inlet lies between the Istrian peninsula and the Dalmatian coastal area. Between historic coastal towns, you can hunt for beautiful fish. Sardines and conger eels are among the special target fish in this area. These two species are otherwise rarely found in Croatia. Among the countless piers and quays in Istria, you can hunt for dozens of fish species. Especially mullets swarm in harbors, as they can feed well here. The tough fighters bite best in the early morning hours. But even at night, you can look forward to bites in the glow of a harbor lantern. The shy mullets love bread flakes, mini worms, and tiny fish scraps. The old port city of Rovinj is also one of Croatia's most popular destinations.

While the family spends time in the beautiful old town with its winding alleys, you can experience unforgettable fishing adventures on the protected coasts. On sport fishing tours, you hunt mackerel and other bottom fish. However, completely different monsters swim in the crystal-clear sea. With a bit of luck, you can make spectacular catches in big game fishing. In summer and autumn, large bluefin tuna bite. Blue sharks, fox sharks, and swordfish also occasionally get hooked. The summer resort of Porec is surrounded by picturesque beaches. The water quality is extremely high. The European Union has awarded many water sections with the Blue Flag. Off the coast, real underwater adventures await you. Dive armed with a harpoon and plunge into the waves.

You can also try your luck with your rod. Mullets, red bream, and sea bass often wriggle on the lines. But exotic squids and cuttlefish also bite. The same applies to the Mediterranean port city of Umag in northern Istria. Countless beaches and bays offer the best fishing conditions. The waters are teeming with various fish species like garfish and sardines.

You can also cast your lines in Dalmatia. The region in the south and southeast of Croatia lies on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. A popular destination for hobby fishermen is the city of Zadar. A few nautical miles off the coast, anglers make a splash with big game fishing. The fishing guides show you the local hot spots. It's not uncommon for huge tuna and swordfish to get hooked. Anglers also frequently land a large panula. The region is very popular in the big game scene. There are also promising spots in Central Dalmatia – such as Marina. The small town lies between Rogoznica and Trogir in a protected sea bay.

In many places, fishing is allowed. The spots offer a wonderful view of the sea and coast. But you shouldn't get too comfortable: Anglers land many beautiful groupers in the region. The fish are mainly found in Dalmatia in Croatia.

Fishing from the Shore or from a Boat – Advantages & Disadvantages

In most spots, you face the dilemma: fish from the shore or get on a boat? The advantages of fishing on the sea are clear: With a boat, you are mobile and can cast your baits almost anywhere. Large water areas can be covered in a short time. This gives you the best chances to catch various fish species endlessly. However, many creatures also swarm directly on the coast and between the piers. Fish that make their home on the seabed between the stones can be caught from the shore.

Fish Species and Where to Find Them

• Everywhere: Dentex, white seabream, sharpsnout seabream, marble bream, gilt-head bream/dorado,
• Istria: Two-banded bream, grouper, sea bass, garfish, mullet,
• Dalmatia: Two-banded bream, grouper
• Kvarner Bay: Sardines, conger eel

The Best Fishing Time

Fish bite best at dawn and dusk, just like in German waters. Of course, you can also make nice catches during the day or at night. Especially in big game fishing, it can happen at any time of the day.

Fishing Gear – What You Need for Fishing in Croatia

The best fishing rods and fishing gear

• max. 2 casting rods with no more than three hooks per rod
• max. 2 bottom rods with no more than three hooks per rod
• max. 2 trolling rods with no more than three hooks per rod
• max. 2 trolling rods with one hook for catching cephalopods
• max. 2 underwater harpoons

Bait – Tips and Tricks for More Fish When Fishing

The bait depends on the rig and the target fish. As a basic guideline for bait: Anything that swims and crawls in the sea serves as tasty bait. This includes fish scraps, mussels, sardines, and crabs. In addition to bread flakes and dough, live bait is very popular among local anglers. Mini worms are available in most fishing shops. But of course, you can also go hunting with spinners, spoons, wobblers, rubber fish, and baitfish.

Fishing License

You need to buy a fishing license in Croatia.

Prices:

• 8 € for 1 day
• 20€ for 3 days
• 40€ for 7 days
• 95€ for 40 days

Places to Obtain a Fishing License

Fishing licenses are available at:

• Online
• Travel agencies
• Port authorities
• Licensed sales points like fishing shops
• Application on-site

For a fishing license in Croatia, approval from the responsible port authorities is required, which must be purchased for the above-mentioned prices.

Additional Rules and Regulations – What to Consider

Fishing for tuna is only allowed with a special license. To purchase it, you need a valid identification document – preferably an ID card or passport. Anyone can obtain a license for recreational sea fishing. In certain areas like bathing beaches and harbors, fishing may be prohibited.