Fishing in In Figueiró dos Vinhos council, and the whole mountain If you are a foreign citizen, you can buy a General region of Portugal, rivers and streams hold a huge array of license at the Institute of Nature and Forest Conservation species like rainbow , brown trout, sea trout, barbel, ([email protected]) and indicate the number of the passport, ID in black-bass, carp, perches, and pike to name just a few. the original country or the residence authorisation in Portugal. rules. Also, in the case of the foreign fishermen, non-resident in Portugal, they can fish only with Special Licences in the Licenses Fishing Concessions and in the Reserved Fishing Areas, and they are excused from obtaining a General Licence. It is an offence to practice without a valid license. If An Enviroment Agency rod licence is required to fish in you are caught angling without license, you will be freshwater in Portugal if you are 16 years or over. prosecuted and fined accordingly. You will need a license from the national or local authorities A wide variety of fish can be found in the rivers and lakes of Cost of General licences: for fresh water fishing in Portugal but fishing trip organisers Portugal, in the inshore coastal waters and deep sea, where • National – 6.49 € and guides will normally arrange this for you and will be able big-fish angling is possible. There are various competitions • Regional – 3.49 € to give you detailed information about seasonal restrictions for men, women, juniors and disabled and several major • Municipal – 1.40 € and other regulations. fishing festivals through the year. It is a fantastic fishing Cost of Special licenses depends on the local authorities rules. destination with a long season and lots of different fish and There are two types of licences available: angling experiences. • The General licence (National, Regional or Municipal) Popular forms of fishing in Portugal include big game fishing, • The Special licence (Fishing Concessions and in Reserved fresh water fishing, beach casting and cliff fishing. Fishing Areas only) a general licence is required in addition to More and more Portugal is a destination for coarse, this special licence). specimen, feeder, and fly fishing and it has some of the best If you prefer to fish independently you can get a permit carp fishing in Europe. cheaply from the Enviroment Agency (General license) or the local council (Special license) but you will need ID and it may take a day or so to come through. A General licence is needed for sea fishing, and a Special licence for fishing in inland waters , rivers and lakes. What Types Of Fishing There are a number of different types of general licence: • National Licence: allows the holder to fish all over the country where fishing is not restricted, including the offshore In our seas, big game , tournament-sized marlin and bluefin islands , mako and swordfish , beach casting for bass, mullet and • Regional Licence: allows the holder to fish either in the , pole fishing for whiting, bream and bass, inshore north, south or centre of the country fishing all along the coastline, underwater fishing around • Local Licence: allows fishing only in the rivers and lakes in a several islands, dozens of deep sea world records. given local authority district Special Licences are also available: Many of Portugal´s waterways are only rarely fished and so • Special Licence for Restricted Areas: is required for fishing have a great reputation amongst those in the know for large in protected or reserved zones at certain times of the year fish, with particularly huge carp found near the dams. Other • Special Licence: for some visiting anglers without a fish to try for include wels catfish, bass, barbel, shad, Portuguese Residency Permit We would like all anglers to consider not only if, but also how sturgeon, chub and pike. Anglers who prefer fly fishing should they can practice catch and release. head to the Northern rivers for salmon, rainbow trout and We recommend that anglers practice skilful catch and release trout where you'll also find European bullhead and spined to help preserve these valuable stocks and the quality of loach. angling in the future. Local rules Bullet Point Reminder of rules Fishing in

There is a series of local bye-laws in different regions and may There are two types of licences available: vary from river to river and between fishing clubs and • The General licence (National, Regional or Municipal) communities. For more details see: •The Special licence (Fishing Concessions and in Reserved http://www.icnf.pt/portal/pesca/pdesportiva/cpd Fishing Areas only) a general licence is required in addition to Portugal this special licence). foreign fishermen, non-resident in Generally speaking, the freshwater fishing season runs Portugal, they can fish only with Special Licences in the between April and November. Fishing is not allowed between Fishing Concessions and in the Reserved Fishing Areas, and sunset and sunrise. they are excused from obtaining a General Licence. Find out about fishing permits and how to get one, Portuguese terms for fish and equipment, sea and freshwater • Fishing season from April to November (including information on the lengths of the seasons for each fish) fishing in: • No night fishing (between Sunset and sunrise) • Portuguese Directorate-General of Agriculture and • Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation • The Portuguese Sport Fishing Federation (in Portuguese) • Município de Figueiró dos Vinhos • Angling Holidays in Portugal (practical information on the fish to be found and regulations concerning catches)

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