Freshwater Fishing in Spain

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Freshwater Fishing in Spain

Fishing Permits

A regional fishing licence, or rod licence, (permiso/licencia de pesca) is required to fish both inland and sea waters in Spain. The permit should specify if it is for a "catch and release" (sin meurte) area. 

• Fishing licences are valid from one to five years. 
• 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.

Holders of a valid foreign fishing licence will usually be able to obtain a Spanish shore-fishing licence the same day by producing the foreign licence, passport, application and any applicable fees to a territorial Ministry of the Environment office (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente).

For those not holding a foreign fishing licence, a Spanish licence can be obtained from the territorial Ministry of the Environment office (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente). Applicants must pass an exam in Spanish before being granted a licence. After the exam, it can take over a month to receive the results and permit.

• Ministerio de Medio Ambiente
  At: Plaza San Juan de la Cruz S/N, 28003 Madrid
  Tel: 915 976 000 (Málaga)
  Website

For those not holding a foreign fishing licence, a Spanish licence can be obtained from a territorial Ministry of the Environment office (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente). Applicants must pass an exam in Spanish before being granted a licence. After the exam, it can take over a month to receive the results and permit.

It is possible to fill-in the application form online, but it must be printed and taken to a Medio Ambiente office.

• For a recreational fishing licence application form: Click here (select the option "Impreso de licencia de pesca"; PDF; in Spanish)

For those planning on coming to Spain to fish, it may be advantageous to obtain a foreign fishing licence prior to arriving in Spain. Holders of an existing foreign licence will not be required to take an exam in Spanish and may obtain a fishing licence online from Telelicencia. 

• Telelicencia
  At: Corazon de Maria 68 1G, 28002 Madrid
  Tel: 902 300 622 / 914 161 101
  Website
  e-mail

Licences are free in some regions for residents of Spain over the age of 65.

Fishing in rivers, estuaries or lakes also requires an angling licence, which can be obtained from many fishing shops, some Caja Rural and Caja Mar Banks, or from the local office of the Ministry of the Environment (Minsterio de Medio Ambiente). Trout fishing usually requires an additional daily permit (licencia de pesca rio con recargo trucha), which essentially buys temporary membership to a local fishing club. 

Fishing insurance (seguros de pesce) for civil liability may be required when applying for the licence. Inquire prior to applying for a license, as this insurance is not required in all regions of Spain.

Failure to obtain the necessary permits and licences can result in large fines and confiscation of fishing equipment. Some anglers choose to hire professional tour operators to obtain the required permits, licences and insurance. 

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.

Several rivers are easily accessible from the city: the Alberche, Eresma, Estena, Fresnedas, Henares, Jarama, Lozoya, Manzanares, Tajo, Tajuña, and Tormes. These can generally be fished for trout, pike, bass, carp and bowfin. Trout, bass and pike can be fished from the lakes, including the lake in the Juan Carlos I Park in town.

Related Information

• Real Federación Española de Pesca y Casting (Spanish Fishing and Casting Federation)
  At: Navas de Tolosa 3, 28031 Madrid
  Tel: 915 328 352 or 915 328 353
  Website

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