Fishing Permits

A fishing license (permiso de pesca) is required in order to fish inland or sea waters in Spain.

• Fishing licences are valid from one to four years and a underwater fishing permit (sub aqua) is valid for one year
• Licences are available to anyone 16 years of age and older
• A parent or guardian must apply for a licence for a child under 16

Recreational fishing and recreational underwater fishing licences can be applied for and renewed via the Generalitat de Catalunya website.

• For full details on prices and the process for application: Click here (in English) 

Permits are also issued by the local provincial office of the Ministry of the Environment (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente)

• Ministerio de Medio Ambiente website
  Tel: 915 976 000

Freshwater and seawater fishing licences can also be obtained online from TeleLicencia.

• TeleLicencia
  Tel: 902 300 622 / 914 161 101
  Fax: 914 150 062
  e-mail
  Website (in Spanish)

Fishing Waters

There are both public and private waters in Spain. An additional permit may be needed to fish in some of the really good waters. There are three different types of waters:

• Free (libros): These waters do not need a special permit
• Restricted (cotos): These are waters that do require a permit
• Fisheries (intensivos): Permits for these waters are often available in local shops

The fishing season varies on the particular species of fish. On most rivers there are restrictions on the numbers of licences issued per day and the quantity and size of the fish that can be caught.

Sea Fishing

Sea fishing is very popular in Spain, although it's popularity is beginning to decline in the Mediterranean as the Spanish waters are largely fished out. 

Sea fishing is prohibited from one hour after sunset until one hour before dawn.

Boat rental and deep sea fishing trips can be arranged.

• For a list of companies providing fishing trips and boat hire in the Catalonia area see this page of The AngloFILE

Information about local fishing areas and fishing permits is available from local town halls and tourist offices. Tourist offices may also provide a fishing map (Mapa de Pesca Fluvial) showing where to fish and what you may catch.

• See here for a list of the local Catalonia Town Halls
• See here for a list of the local Catalonia Tourist Offices

Fishing on the Costa Brava

Sea fishing and fishing from the rocks is possible, however catches are better when fished from a boat. 

There is also a lot of fresh water fishing on the Costa Brava. Popular places are the River Ter and River Onyar for barbel, carp, tench and eel and Lake Banyols for carp and pike. The River Segre has stretches of government-controlled trout fishing.

Local Associations

• Catalan Federation of Sports Fishing (Federació Catalana de Pesca Esportiva i Càsting)
  At: Carrer Béjar 59, baixos, 08014 Barcelona
  Tel: 932 893 300
  Fax: 932 890 552
  e-mail
  Website (in Catalan)
• Catalan Federation of Sports Fishing (Federació Catalana de Pesca Esportiva i Càsting)
  At: Carrer Sant Francesc 14, 2n, 43003 Tarragona
  Tel: 977 220 410
  e-mail
• Catalan Federation of Sports Fishing (Federació Catalana de Pesca Esportiva i Càsting)
  At: Passeig de Parc 75, baixos, 25700 La Seu d'Urgell, Lleida
  Tel: 973 353 762
  e-mail
• Catalan Association for Responsible Fishing (Associacion Catalana Para una Pesca Responsable)
  Website

Further Information

• Go Fishing Spain

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