FISHING IN SPAIN
Inland waters
Spain has much to offer the angler and offers the coarse fish including large barbel and carp in its rivers and lakes. 26 rivers draining the Cantabrian range and the Galician Coast alone are entered by salmon. Spain offers good sport when it comes to fly fishing and in some areas, trout grow impressively large. Spain is not yet in the forefront when it comes to angling but this may change in the near future. There are 64 fishing preserves in the Nature Parks of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas and of Sierra Nevada. There is a small town between Malaga and Granada, called Rio Frio.
It is in the foothills of the Sierra de Loja. Trout fishing here is recorded back to 1664 and in recent times there have been record catches. There is an all year round season here. Information an permits from: Alberge de Pescadores de Rio Frio, Riviera de Rio Frio s/n, 18300 Loja, (Granada) Tel: +34 958 32 31 77. Rio Frio is also a popular tourist destination, barbecued trout is served at the many local restaurants. Try fishing on the Deva-Cares, Navia, Sella, Narcea, and Asón rivers for salmon and trout. Another great place for trout fishing is in the Pyrenees Mountain region.
Fishing on the Costa Blanca
The rivers here often hold carp and barbel but the Amadorio Dam and to a lesser extent the Guadalest's Dam provide the best fresh water fishing. They hold barbel, black bass, rainbow trout and the biggest carp. Rainbow trout were introduced in 1977 and are protected. To catch them you will need a licence with a trout supplement. The season for non-mountain trout runs from the first Sunday in March to August 15th. The sea fishing demands local knowledge to catch anything worthwhile and if you do strike it lucky you can expect to catch big grey mullet, sea bream and bass. Mackerel run two or three miles out from the coast. Late summer, autumn and winter, various species of tuna are plentiful.
Fishing on the Costa Brava
Fishing from the rocks is popular but results are better if you hire a boat and head out to sea. There is abundant fresh water fishing. The River Ter and River Onyar both provide good barbel, carp, tench and eel. Lake Banyols yields pike and carp. The River Segre has stretches of government controlled trout fishing but a licence is required.
Underwater fishing
This pastime is becoming increasingly popular but you will need a licence issued by the local authorities. You may use a snorkel tube, mask and mechanical harpoon gun but underwater fishing with scuba equipment is forbidden.
Salt water fishing
The Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines are ideal for fishing. Many of the marinas provide everything required for a day of open sea fishing and in most ports you can find day trip organisers at reasonable prices. Swordfish fishing is most spectacular. From July to September swordfish are found off the coasts of Almería, Granada and Málaga, as well as in the Bay of Cádiz. There is also tunny fishing in the open sea around Barbate, Zahara or Conil in Cádiz, and Isla Cristina in Huelva. Mackerel, sea bass, big toothed pampano, blue fish, and spotted bass are common catches. There are many big competitions during the summer.
Licence requirements
There is no true national licencing system but you do need a regional license. The price of the license will vary from 5€ - 12€. You can buy a Spanish license (licencia de pesca) at the fishing department of the regional administrative office. Fly or tackle shops can assist you in filling out the forms, and processing the license. The tourist office will advise you or in the UK you can contact Spanish Tourist Office, 57 St James Street, London SW1A 1LD (Tel: 0171-499 0901). An angling licence is required for fishing in reservoirs, rivers and estuaries. They are obtainable from an office of the 'Delegación Agencia Medio Ambiente' (AMA). There is one office in each of the provincial capital cities. An angling licence is also obtainable from branches of the 'Caja Rural' bank. The tourist office also publishes an interesting full-colour map on fishing in the country.
There are both public and private waters in Spain and you will need an additional permit to fish some of the really good waters. In Spain there are three types of waters: Free (libre) waters that don't require a special permit. Restricted (cotos) waters that do require a permit (usually awarded through a lottery system). Fisheries (intensivos) are the last type of waters. You can usually buy a permit for them in the local pub or a shop near the water (river or lake).
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