February is a long month across most of Europe. The holidays are long gone but the back-to-work blues are still going strong. People want to escape the long nights and commuter crowds. To imagine themselves on a sandy beach or a remote river. This is when many of us start planning our next angling adventure.
If you’re one of them, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of the best fishing spots in Europe for 2020. From tropical islands to mountain streams, we’ve combed the continent to bring you the best of European angling. Every spot is amazing in its own special way. So, in no particular order, here are this year’s top European fishing spots.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is the gateway to the Mediterranean. It’s the only route between the Atlantic and the Med, which makes it a superhighway for huge, predatory fish. Every summer, these waters come alive with Bluefin Tuna, Sharks, and even Marlin. And because the sea is so narrow here, you don’t need to travel far to find them.
Sound a little serious for you? Not a problem! Gibraltar is also a great place to reel in delicious food fish like Dentex, Snapper, Seabream, and John Dory. If you want more of a challenge, you can also hook hard fighters like Amberjack. Whatever you’re after, you’ll find it just a stone’s throw from shore.
It’s not just the fishing that makes Gibraltar interesting. The area has a fascinating past, from its ancient Moorish castle to a labyrinth of WWII tunnels. Once you’ve had enough of history, take a cable car up the Rock of Gibraltar to see stunning views – and monkeys! Finally, enjoy a relaxing dinner of Mediterranean cuisine or classic British “pub grub.” There’s nowhere else like it.
Reykjavik, Iceland
We challenge you to name a more dramatic setting than Iceland. The country’s volcanic landscape and sheer isolation give it an almost mythical quality. Iceland also has a long fishing heritage. People here have relied on the sea for centuries, and the island now has some of the best-managed fisheries in the world. Unique scenery, untouched nature, and lots of fish? We’re in.
A short drive from Reykjavik lies Lake Thingvallavatn, home of monster Brown Trout. Trophies here weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds, and you can also catch Arctic Char for extra variety. Head into the ocean, and Cod, Pollock, Haddock, Halibut, and more start to show up. Did we mention that Iceland’s rivers are full of wild Salmon? Seriously, the fishing here is too good to miss.
Once your arms are dead from fighting fish, it’s time to relax. Pamper yourself at a spa, or enjoy the thermal waters at one of the city’s outdoor pools. Take in Reykjavik’s picture-perfect wooden houses and monumental Hallgrimskirkja Church. Warm up with a bread bowl full of hot reindeer soup, then visit some of the city’s many galleries. After that, you can start exploring the rest of the island!
Ponta Delgada, Azores
It’s difficult to know where to start with the Azores. Do you fish from shore for Bluefish, Barracuda, and White Trevally? Hit the local reefs and rocky structure for Seabream, Grouper, and Amberjack? Maybe you should head inland in search of Rainbow Trout, Pike, and Carp. Decisions, decisions…
Who are we kidding? You’ll be offshore, fighting giant Tuna and Marlin! Both Blue and White Marlin show up here, and the Azores are one of the best places on earth to look for “grander” (1,000 lbs) Blues. The Tuna bite is just as extreme, with Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye Tuna all hitting record sizes. All this and more is waiting just a couple of miles off the beach.
The Azores are famous for their lush volcanic landscape. The area of Ponta Delgada certainly lives up to the hype. Walk the lava tunnels of Gruta do Carvao. Join a horse ride up to the crater lakes of Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Otherwise, just relax on the island’s black sand beaches. Whatever you do, you can expect plenty of fresh, tasty fish at the end of the day.
Lleida, Catalonia
Last year, we named the River Ebro one of our bucket list fishing spots alongside the likes of Hawaii and the Amazon. What makes this corner of Spain so special? One word: Catfish. The Ebro is famous for its enormous Wels Catfish, which can reach 200 pounds or more. The best place to find them is just down the road from Lleida, in Mequinenza Reservoir.
The Ebro is good for more than Catfish, mind you. It’s also an amazing Carp fishery, with plenty of fish in the 30–40-pound range. If that’s still not enough, the river also holds decent sized Zander. But honestly, who’s going to bother with them when you could be chasing the next Catfish world record?
If the best fishing is around Mequinenza, why base your trip half an hour away in Lleida? Simple: there’s a lot more to do here. Lleida is a city of over 400,000 people with a medieval citadel, a pedestrianised centre, and plenty of bars and restaurants. And of course, it’s not far from the world-class vineyards of Priorat and Tarragona, so grab a bottle to go with your fish!
Galway, Ireland
There are fish every which way you turn in Galway. To the north lies Lough Corrib, which is full of Brown Trout, Sea Trout, and Salmon. Journeying east and south, you arrive at Lough Derg, famous for its mayfly madness in April and May. And of course, you have the entire Galway Bay. Load up on Cod and Haddock, or head to the Aran Islands for outstanding Shark fishing.
The species themselves are only half of what makes fishing here special. Ireland has some of the most relaxed angling regulations in Europe. You don’t even need a license, unless you’re targeting Salmon or Sea Trout. As long as you look up the local limits, you can just roll up, break out your rod, and start enjoying world-class angling!
Galway is known as “the Cultural Heart of Ireland.” It holds several arts festivals each year and live music drifts out of pubs all around town. It’s an all-round fun, friendly place to be. If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, lose yourself in the wilds of Connemara or gallop across sandy beaches on horseback. Then there’s the area’s ancient history, delicious seafood, fine whiskey – you won’t get bored, that’s for sure!
Tenerife, Canary Islands
We already had the Azores. Do we really need another Atlantic island chain? Yes. Yes we do. The Canary Islands have the same world-class sportfishing with even better weather. Seabream, Amberjack, and Dentex roam the reefs while Marlin and Tuna hunt in the bluewaters just a mile or two offshore. Wherever you fish, you’re in for a treat.
The thing that makes Tenerife special is that you can head there any time of year and find huge fish. Marlin are mainly in town from late spring until early autumn, but you can catch Tuna all year round. You can fill the boat with tasty bottom fish like Amberjack even in the darkest depths of winter.
Not that winter is really a thing here. The mercury rarely dips below 15ºC (59ºF) even overnight. This makes it the perfect place to escape the Winter blues or swap out the turkey for a Christmas barbecue. Yes, there’s untouched nature and fascinating history. But chances are, you’ll be too busy building up a tan and splashing in the sea to notice.
Bled, Slovenia
Let’s start with the obvious: Bled is very, very pretty. This pleasant tourist town nestled in the Julian Alps looks straight out of a fairytale. You can fish from the banks of the lake, but you’ll be too busy taking in the view to notice the Carp biting on your bait. Instead, head to the hills, where the pristine waters are full of legendary game fish.
The main target species are Trout. This is one of the only places on earth where you can catch wild Marble Trout – a feather in the cap of any serious fly fisher. Brown Trout also live here, as do non-native species like Rainbow and Brook Trout. Then there’s Huchen, a rare, giant, Salmon-like fish whose closest relative lives in Mongolia. It’s easy to see why fly fishing in Slovenia is so popular.
Slovenia is a small country with a lot to see. Bled itself has lots of outdoor activities like zip lining or paddleboarding. The capital, Ljubljana, is just a half hour’s drive away, and is well worth a visit. In a single day, you can hike alpine trails, stroll city streets, and swim in crystal-clear seas. It’s essentially three different holidays rolled into one.
Stockholm, Sweden
It’s not often that you find people fishing right across from a country’s parliament. In Sweden, it’s an everyday sight, and not just because you don’t need a license. This is one of the cleanest cities on earth. The rivers are full of fish that most European capitals haven’t seen for centuries. Perch, Pike, Trout, and even Salmon show up right in the centre of town.
Don’t spend all your time in Stockholm itself, though. The city is surrounded by a sprawling maze of islands and rivers. It doesn’t take long to get deep into nature where the biggest fish live. If you don’t fancy freshwater fishing, you can also fish the Baltic Sea for Cod, Salmon, and Sea Trout. Around in winter? Why not try ice fishing!
The first thing you want to do once you pack away your rod is explore Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. It really is as pretty as the pictures make out. Talking of photo-worthy, make sure you check out the outlandish metro stations dotted around the city. If you still have the energy, Stockholm has enough galleries, museums, and palaces to keep you busy for weeks.
Cagliari, Sardinia
This last one’s a little different. Sure, Sardinia has Bluefin Tuna and Swordfish offshore. Yes, it has Amberjack, Seabream, John Dory, and a dozen other tasty food fish on offer. It could easily rank on this list for its sportfishing alone. But that’s not why it’s here. The thing that makes Cagliari special is a different kind of fishing trip: pesca-tourism.
Pesca-tourism essentially means spending the day aboard a traditional commercial fishing boat. You work with the crew, learning about their techniques and traditions. You catch some fish, but it’s the experience that you’re there for. If you’ve ever dreamt of a life at sea on a paradise island, this is the one for you.
Paradise is the right word. Sardinia ticks all the boxes for a life of luxury, from the climate to the food, and of course, the scenery. No wonder people have settled here since the stone age. Cagliari itself is the definition of “la dolce vita”, with a port full of yachts and a multi-coloured jumble of grand old buildings and narrow streets. It’s impossible not to love it.
The Best Fishing Spots in Europe: A Tough Choice
This wasn’t an easy list to make. There are hundreds of towns that deserve a mention. Head out with a guide and you’ll have a great time. However, every place on our list offers unforgettable angling with that certain something that sets it apart even among the best fishing spots in Europe. Visit any of them, and you’re in for a treat.
These are our picks for Europe’s best fishing spots, but what are yours? Where would you name as number one? Have you visited any of the places we covered? Drop us your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
