01 ·
Lake Balaton
Pike-perch mecca & record Carplargest lake
Europe · Fishing World Guide
Hungary.
Fishing in Hungary 2026: Permits, Best Spots, Charters & Costs
7
target species
Yes
license needed
Apr–Dec
best season
Scroll
Do you need a license?
License
Yes.
State license: From 5.000 HUF (~13 EUR)/year. Water permits: From 2.000 HUF (~5 EUR)/day.
›All license details
- Where to apply?
- Online at mahasz.org (Hungarian Anglers' Association) or at local fishing clubs.
- Cost
- State license: From 5.000 HUF (~13 EUR)/year. Water permits: From 2.000 HUF (~5 EUR)/day.
- Validity
- Annual license (state) + day/weekly/annual cards per water body
- Available online?
- Yes
Hungary has a well-organized system. You need a state fishing license + a water permit. Both are available online or on site. Lake Balaton (Plattensee) and the Tisza are the best-known fishing waters.
When to go?
The season at a glance.
Best season
Carp: May-October. Catfish: June-September. Zander: Autumn/Winter. Possible all year round.
Where to fish?
The top waters.
02 ·
Tisza Reservoir
Huge nature paradise for Wels CatfishPike & Carp
03 ·
Danube River
Wild river fishing for BarbelPike-perch & massive Wels Catfish
04 · Soroksári Danube
Ráckevei
Famous oxbow for record Carp & Wels Catfish
05 ·
Maconka Reservoir
World-famous competition water with enormous species diversity
What's biting?
Your target species.
›+2 more species
AspSilver Carp
The rules.
Four things you need to know.
Closed seasons
Closed seasons
Pike: February-April. Zander: March-April. Catfish: May-June. Carp: No general closed season.
Catch limits
Catch limits
Carp: 3/day. Pike: 2/day. Zander: 3/day. Catfish: 1/day. Strict minimum sizes!
Prohibited methods
Prohibited methods
Live bait fish allowed (unlike in many EU countries!). Night fishing is widespread.
Catch & release
Catch & release
Increasingly common. Night fishing for carp with C&R is very popular.
What does it cost?
13 €
License
State: Approx. 13 EUR/year + water permit: 5-20 EUR/day. Very cheap!
80-200 €
Guide per day
80-200 EUR/day. Catfish specialists somewhat more expensive.
25-50 €
Daily budget
Budget: 25-50 EUR (very affordable country!). Comfort: 80-150 EUR (guide, guesthouse).
Bite times
The best fishing times — free.
Best fishing times
·Hungary47.16°, 19.50°
🎣 Live catches in ungarn
3 verified catches
Not enough data (3 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
Plan your trip.
Everything in one place.
Fishing trips in Hungary
Curated tours & charters with price and click data from our partner dashboards.
FishingBooker
From
425 €
BudapestHungary
Medgyesi Fishing
3 seats19 ft
5.0 · 6 reviews
View charters →
FishingBooker
Charters in Hungary
Pre-filtered charters on FishingBooker
1 interestedView charters →
All the details
The fine print.
License in detail
Online at mahasz.org (Hungarian Anglers' Association) or at local fishing clubs. — Hungary has a well-organized system. You need a state fishing license + a water permit. Both are available online or on site. Lake Balaton (Plattensee) and the Tisza are the best-known fishing waters.
Rules in detail
Hungary is a carp and catfish paradise! Night fishing is common and permitted. Live bait fish are often allowed, unlike in Western Europe.
Freshwater
Danube and Tisza as main rivers. Lake Balaton. Hundreds of ponds and canals. Excellent carp fishing!
Saltwater
No access to the sea (landlocked country).
Equipment
Tackle shops in all larger towns. Cheap prices for equipment.
Guides
Catfish guide Tisza: 100-200 EUR/day. Carp guide: 80-150 EUR/day.
Getting there
Fly to Budapest. Rental car or train. Good infrastructure.
Safety
Safe country. Mosquitoes at waters in summer. Heat in July/August.
Customs & fish export
EU member: No restrictions on fishing equipment.
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All information without guarantee. Always check with the official local authorities. Not legal advice. Last updated: April 14, 2026
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