Europe
Fishing in
Hungary 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Hungary47.16°, 19.50°
🎣 Live catches in ungarn
1 verified catches
Not enough data (1 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- 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.
Buy fishing license for Hungary online
Official authority website
Book fishing tours in Hungary
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Pike: February-April. Zander: March-April. Catfish: May-June. Carp: No general closed season.
- Catch limits
- Carp: 3/day. Pike: 2/day. Zander: 3/day. Catfish: 1/day. Strict minimum sizes!
- Prohibited methods
- Live bait fish allowed (unlike in many EU countries!). Night fishing is widespread.
- Catch & Release
- Increasingly common. Night fishing for carp with C&R is very popular.
Hungary is a carp and catfish paradise! Night fishing is common and permitted. Live bait fish are often allowed, unlike in Western Europe.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Plattensee/Balaton (Zander-Mekka & Kapitale Karpfen, largest lake)
- —Theiß-Lake/Tisza-tó (Riesiges Naturparadies für Wels, Hecht & Karpfen)
- —Donau/Duna (Wildes Riverangeln auf Barbe, Zander & massive Welse)
- —Ráckevei-Soroksári Duna (Berühmter Altarm für Rekord-Karpfen & Welse)
- —Maconka Reservoir (Weltbekanntes Wettbewerbsgewässer with enormer speciesvielfalt)
Target fish
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).
Starting from200 EUR / day
Best season: Carp: May-October. Catfish: June-September. Zander: Autumn/Winter. Possible all year round.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Tackle shops in all larger towns. Cheap prices for equipment.
- Fishing guides
- Catfish guide Tisza: 100-200 EUR/day. Carp guide: 80-150 EUR/day.
- Transport
- Fly to Budapest. Rental car or train. Good infrastructure.
- Safety
- Safe country. Mosquitoes at waters in summer. Heat in July/August.
- Customs & taking fish home
- EU member: No restrictions on fishing equipment.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
State: Approx. 13 EUR/year + water permit: 5-20 EUR/day. Very cheap!
Guide prices
80-200 EUR/day. Catfish specialists somewhat more expensive.
Daily budget
Budget: 25-50 EUR (very affordable country!). Comfort: 80-150 EUR (guide, guesthouse).
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Hungary
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
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Flights
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