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Fishing in Spain

Each Comunidad Autónoma manages independently

Plan your trip with up-to-date fishing rules in Spain, where to buy a Spain fishing license, common fish species (Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, Common carp), closed seasons and key waters. All info is sourced from Each Comunidad Autónoma manages independently.

Spain fishing guide — license, rules and species

Licenses & permits

Where to buy

  • Sea fishing license (all coasts) — Spanish Fishing Licence (agency) · EUR 45 / 5 years
  • Sea fishing license — Regional Ministry of Environment · EUR 15–45
  • Freshwater license — Regional government offices · EUR 10–30/year
  • Catalonia freshwater — Gencat · Varies
  • Andalucía freshwater — Junta de Andalucía · Varies
  • Ebro River permits — Local fishing associations · Varies

General rules

Species-specific rules

SpeciesWaterMin sizeBag limitClosed seasonNotes
Brown troutFreshwater19–22 cm——Often catch-and-release only
Largemouth bassFreshwater20–25 cm——Popular in Extremadura
CarpFreshwaterVaries——Huge carp in Ebro River
Wels catfishFreshwaterNo minimum——Invasive, often no size limit
Sea bassSea36 cm———
Red sea breamSea19 cm———
Bluefin tunaSeaSpecial permit——ICCAT regulated

Common species in Spain

EnglishSpanskaScientificFAOMin sizeClosed seasonMethodsKey waters
Brown troutTrucha comúnSalmo trutta fario
TRS
19–22 cmSep–Feb (varies)Fly, spinPyrenees, Asturias, León
Rainbow troutTrucha arcoirisOncorhynchus mykiss
TRR
19–22 cmSame as brown troutFly, spinStocked waters
Largemouth bassBlack bassMicropterus salmoides
LMB
20–25 cmVariesSpin, flyExtremadura reservoirs
Common carpCarpaCyprinus carpio
CYP
——Bottom, boiliesEbro, central reservoirs
Wels catfishSiluroSilurus glanis
SOM
No minimum—Spin, clonk, bottomEbro River (world-class)
BarbelBarboLuciobarbus spp.—18–25 cmVariesBottom, flyRivers nationwide
PikeLucioEsox lucius
FPI
45 cmFeb–May (varies)Spin, dead baitRiaño, Orellana, Mequinenza
European bassLubinaDicentrarchus labrax
BSS
36 cm—Spin, fly, baitAtlantic coast, Cantabria
Bluefin tunaAtún rojoThunnus thynnus
BFT
Special permitICCAT regulatedTrolling, poppingMediterranean, Canaries
Gilt-head breamDoradaSparus aurata
SBG
19–20 cm—Bottom, floatMed coast
Red sea breamBesugoPagellus bogaraveo
SBR
25 cm—BottomAtlantic coast
Atlantic mackerelCaballaScomber scombrus
MAC
20 cm—Feathers, spinAll coasts

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Spain

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Disclaimer: regulations vary by region and change frequently. Always verify with the official source before fishing.