Europe
Fishing in
Bulgaria 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Bulgaria42.73°, 25.49°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- Online or at the IARA (Fisheries Authority). Tourist permits at fishing shops.
- Cost
- Annual permit: From 25 BGN (~13 EUR). Weekly permit: From 10 BGN (~5 EUR). Daily permit: From 5 BGN (~2.50 EUR).
- Validity
- Daily, weekly or annual permits
- Available online?
- Yes
Bulgaria is extremely affordable and offers good fishing for catfish, carp and trout. The Danube in the north has giant catfish. In the mountains: Crystal clear trout streams. Very uncomplicated licensing system.
Book fishing tours in Bulgaria
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Pike: February-April. Catfish: May-June. Trout: October-January. Sturgeon: Protected!
- Catch limits
- Moderate daily limits. Carp: 3/day. Catfish: 2/day. Trout: 5/day.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite, poison, electrofishing prohibited. Night fishing allowed on many waters.
- Catch & Release
- Increasingly common. Sturgeon species: Absolute no-take ban.
Bulgaria is a hidden gem for budget anglers! Great waters, little fishing pressure, extremely cheap prices.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Donau near Vidin (Wels + Karpfen, bekannt für Monsterwelse)
- —Iskar-Reservoir (Karpfen + Zander, beliebter Spot near Sofia)
- —Dospat-Reservoir (Streamforelle + Regenbogenforelle, in den Rhodopen)
- —Vacha-Reservoir (Wels + Schleie, tiefes Gewässer with Wildernesscharakter)
- —Schwarzmeerküste near Varna (Wolfsbarsch + Makrele, produktives Coastnangeln)
Freshwater
Danube, reservoirs and mountain streams in the Rhodopes and Rila. Lightly fished!
Saltwater
378 km Black Sea coast. Varna and Burgas as base. Bluefish runs in autumn.
Starting from150 EUR / day
Best season: Catfish/Carp: May-October. Trout: March-September. Coast: Summer/Autumn.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Basic equipment in fishing shops. Cheap prices.
- Fishing guides
- Danube catfish guide: 80-150 EUR/day. Trout guide: 60-100 EUR/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Sofia or Varna. Rental car cheap. Mountain roads winding.
- Safety
- Safe country. Mountain roads difficult in winter. Mosquitoes on the Danube.
- Customs & taking fish home
- EU member: No restrictions.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
2.50 EUR/day or 13 EUR/year. Extremely affordable!
Guide prices
60-150 EUR/day. Budget-friendly!
Daily budget
Budget: 20-40 EUR (very cheap!). Comfort: 60-120 EUR.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Bulgaria
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
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Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Bulgaria with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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Mobile Data
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