Fishing in Spain is a bit like opening a tackle box that never ends. One minute you’re drifting over deep blue water with tuna smashing bait on the surface, the next you’re wrestling a Wels catfish that looks like it swam out of a legend. Add trout streams in the Pyrenees, carp-filled reservoirs, and year-round beach casting, and you get one of Europe’s most versatile fishing destinations.

This guide walks you through what you really need to know about fishing in Spain: licenses and rules, best regions and species, when to go, and whether to book a guide or do it yourself. Think of it as your pre-trip briefing before you click “Book now” on that Spanish fishing adventure.

Spain as a Fishing Destination: Six in One

Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe, and occupies the lion’s share of the Iberian Peninsula, along with a few overseas territories – most notably the Canary and Balearic Isles. Spain’s mainland is dominated by mountain chains, from the Pyrenees that separate it from France in the north to Sierra Nevada that rise over the Mediterranean coast in the south, with fertile river valleys in between. 

All together, it creates such a variety of habitats and environments, that one can say, from a fishing point of view, Spain is really six countries at once. If not more. Well, see for yourself. 

Mountain Rivers: Trout and Salmonids

The mountain ranges in the Spanish North, the Pyrenees (Aragón and Catalonia) and the Cantabrian Mountains (Asturias, Cantabria, León), feature cold, clear rivers that hold wild brown trout, plus some rainbows in stocked stretches. A few rivers in Asturias and Galicia even have Atlantic salmon and sea trout, though these fisheries are tightly regulated and often managed under special permits or lotteries.

This is classic small-stream, pocket-water fishing with a Spanish twist: old stone villages, mountain vistas, and a glass of wine with your tapas after you hang your waders up.

Inland Freshwater: Catfish, Carp & Bass

If you’ve seen photos of anglers grinning beside fish the size of kayaks – that’s probably the River Ebro. The lower Ebro and its big reservoirs like Mequinenza and Riba-roja are famous for Wels catfish over 100 kg (220 lb). Near the estuary, the Ebro Delta also holds a variety of species that are well adapted to brackish waters, such as seabass and leerfish. Chub fishing is popular in Catalonia.

Beyond the Ebro, western Spain’s Extremadura region (reservoirs like Orellana and Cíjara) offers wild carp, zander, and excellent largemouth bass fishing. In Andalusia, warm reservoirs hold carp, bass, and catfish, while northern and central regions tuck away plenty of barbel, pike, and other coarse species in rivers and dams. And of course there is no shortage of ponds with common carp, the European classic which is a challenge requiring special skills and gear. 

Atlantic Coast

Spain has thousands of kilometers of coastline, facing both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Actually, Spain has two Atlantic coasts. In the North, stretching for roughly 670 miles (1,075 km) from Bilbao to A Coruña, the coastline is washed by the Bay of Biscay, with a short stretch south to Vito that faces the Atlantic proper. The broken, fjord-like coast has great inshore fishing for seabass, sea breams and mackerel. The Bay of Biscay is also a vital feeding ground for juvenile bluefin tuna, and has a long history of traditional pole-and-line albacore tuna fishery.

The southern Spanish Atlantic coast, known as Costa de la Luz, or the Sunlight Coast, runs from the coastal marshes of Huelva to Cádiz, the port from where Columbus sailed out, and all the way to the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, from villages with the name like Zahara de los Atunes – “Zahara of the Tuna Fish” – fishing boats can reach the migratory routes of bluefin tuna and other pelagic species as they pass through the Gibraltar Strait into and out of the Mediterranean. 

Mediterranean Coast

The Spanish Mediterranean coast is no less varied and diverse than the Atlantic coast. Starting from the Strait of Gibraltar, near Málaga and Marbella, lies Costa del Sol, or the Sun Coast. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Spain, but also in Europe, and it has fishing opportunities to match, from bluefin tuna and other pelagics on their annual migration to nearshore hits like seabass and dentex.

Following through Costa de Granada, its pleasant climate ensured by the Sierra Nevada range, to the very hot and humid Costa Cálida in Murcia with its Mar Menor, one of the world’s biggest lagoons, one is never too far off from a deep underwater channel running to the Balearic Islands, and used by pelagics for their migration. 

The Balearic Sea between the archipelago and Valencia’s Costa Blanca, is rather shallow, but further to the north, off Costa Brava in Catalonia, another popular tourist area, you find rocky outcrops and deep sea not far from the coast again. Bluefin tuna, bonito and mahi-mahi are the highlights for heavy tackle fishing here, with leerfish (garrick) the hit of nearshore trips. You can also catch conger eel, amberjack, seabass, dentex, bluefish and Spanish mackerel.

The Balearic Islands

Positioned in the heart of Western Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands are a tourist hotspot with few rivals. The island of Ibiza is famous for its night life and discos, as well as an international yachting hub, while Mallorca is reputed to be more of a family or retiree’s heaven. The shelf the islands are lying on drops off sharply only a few nautical miles southeast of the island to a deep channel that begins near Gibraltar, and is favored by migrating pelagic fish species, most notably bluefin tuna. This makes the islands, especially Mallorca and Minorca, excellently positioned for a big game, deep sea fishing. For anglers who are looking for a relaxed nearshore experience, the shallow coastal areas with numerous big and small bays and reefs, offer great opportunities for mackerel, snapper, seabass, amberjack, and grouper as well. 

The Canary Islands

The last splinter of once enormous colonial empire, the Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, almost directly on the equator, some 100 km. off the coast of Africa, and are an important item of the blue marlin fishing map. Other deep sea fish species on the Canaries include bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, bugeye and albacore tuna, as well as mahi mahi and wahoo. There are also numerous groupers, snappers and amberjacks. 

The air and sea temperatures, that stay in the comfort zone all year, attract thousands of tourists. For most of them, the Canaries begin and end with Tenerife, the island with the central position, the biggest territory and population, Spain’s highest peak (Mount Teide), as well as two major airports that host most of the air traffic to the archipelago. 

Many dedicated big-game fishing charters, however, are hosted on the outlying islands, such as La Gomera and Lanzarote, which gives them quicker access to marlin migration routes. For tourists who stay on the major islands many options are available, from pickup at the nearest port to overnight trips to a night at a hotel, which offers an extra opportunity to discover one of those tranquil islands. And of course nearshore fishing options are abundant. 

Licenses and Regulations: The Paperwork Side of Paradise

Spain is serious about managing its fisheries. The good news is that once you understand the basics, it’s straightforward – especially if you’re fishing with a guide or charter.

Do I Need a License in Spain?

Short answer: yes. Nearly all recreational fishing in Spain requires a license, for both freshwater and saltwater, and that includes tourists.

The important distinctions:

• Freshwater licenses are issued by each autonomous community (region) and are generally only valid in that region.
• Saltwater (marine) licenses are also issued regionally but are typically valid along all Spanish coasts once obtained (Mediterranean, Atlantic, Balearic and Canary Islands).

You can usually buy licenses online or at regional government offices and some tackle shops. Some regions offer short-term permits (1- or 15-day), while others require an annual license that may be valid for several years.

What If I Book a Charter or Guide?

If you join a licensed charter boat or professional guide, your fishing license is usually covered under the operator’s paperwork. This is standard practice both for sea charters and many guided freshwater trips – one of the reasons guided fishing in Spain is so popular with visiting anglers.

If you plan to fish on your own (from the shore, a rental boat, or while traveling around with your gear), you must arrange your own license for each relevant region and type of water.

Size Limits, Seasons, and Cotos

Spanish regulations include:

• Minimum size limits
• Daily bag limits
• Closed seasons for many species and waters

Trout, bass, tuna, and other key species all have specific seasons and size rules that vary by region. Some waters are designated catch-and-release only.

For trout and salmonids, you’ll also meet the concept of “cotos” – controlled stretches of river that require a daily permit on top of your general license. Numbers of rods per day are limited, and prime beats often book out in advance or are allocated via lottery (especially for salmon). There are also “intensivos” (stocked beats) and some free cotos that still require printing a permit.

If that sounds like a lot, don’t panic. A good fly fishing guide in the Pyrenees or Asturias will handle all of this for you.

Beach and Shore Fishing Rules

You do need a license for sea fishing from the shore, whether you’re casting from a beach, pier, harbor wall, or rocky point. The marine license you obtain is valid nationwide.

However, you generally cannot fish on designated swimming beaches while bathers or lifeguards are present. In practice, this means:

• No fishing on busy beaches during the day in summer
• Fishing is usually allowed early in the morning, at night, or outside the official swimming season

Some municipalities put up signs with time windows (for example, fishing allowed from 21:00–09:00). If in doubt, copy what local anglers are doing or ask at a nearby tackle shop.

When to Go: Seasons by Fish and Region

You can fish in Spain all year, but the type of fishing changes with the season.

Catfish & Carp on the Ebro

Prime time for Wels catfish on the Ebro is late March through mid-October. In spring, big cats wake up and feed hard, with a lull when they spawn around May. Summer brings steady action, often best at night or at dawn and dusk, and early autumn can be excellent as fish feed up before cooling water slows things down. Winter is generally quiet and many catfish guides take a break. Carp fishing is more flexible, and many anglers switch their focus to carp during the catfish spawn.

Trout and Fly Fishing

Trout seasons vary by region, but a general pattern is:

• Opener: mid-March to April in most areas
• Prime time: April–June in mid-elevation rivers
• High-mountain season: May/June–September
• Closed: roughly October–February in most natural rivers, to protect spawning fish

Some stocked stretches and special beats may have extended catch-and-release seasons into autumn. Always check the regional regulations for exact dates.

Saltwater and Big-Game

Saltwater fishing is available year-round, particularly in the Canaries and along the southern coasts, but pelagic species have strong seasonal peaks:

• Canary Islands: mid-March to mid-May for bluefin tuna, mid-May to August for blue marlin, although catches are possible up to November.
• Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Balearic Islands: May-June is best for bluefin tuna, with catches possible from April to November. 
• Atlantic Coast: Offshore fishing season runs from June to October.
• Costa del Sol: May to October, with peak bluefin tuna action July to September

Reef and bottom fishing for groupers, snappers, dentex, amberjack and sea bream is possible in most months, with many charters in Andalusia and the islands running all through the year.

If your main goal is a particular species, check with your chosen captain about the best window before booking your trip.

Guided Trips vs DIY: What’s Best in Spain?

You can DIY a lot of fishing in Spain, but this is one country where a good guide or charter really earns their keep.

Why Book a Guide or Charter?

A professional Spanish guide typically:

• Provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait (and for Ebro catfish, that means serious heavy gear, not just your usual carp rod).
• Arranges your licenses and, for trout, coto permits where needed.
• Knows local seasons, closures, and size limits.
• Speaks English (and often German, French, or other languages) in major tourist regions.

On the Ebro, for example, many guides supply powerful 2.5–3 m rods, big reels, and 80–100 lb braided line because giant catfish have a habit of turning “normal” tackle into scrap metal. Popular methods include pellet rigs and live or dead bait (where allowed) on buoy or bottom rigs.

On sea charters, you usually get:

• Trolling gear and lures
• Jigging and bottom-fishing tackle
• Bait, ice, and all safety equipment
• Help with keeping, filleting, or arranging a restaurant to cook your catch

And most importantly, you get someone who knows where the fish are likely to be today.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices vary by region and boat size. Remember that most outfitters list prices per boat, which may host four to eight people, so the price that looks steep can actually turn out affordable when you divide it by number of anglers. A rough idea is:

• €250-450 a day for an inland freshwater guided trip. 
• €600-750 per boat for half-day nearshore trips.
• €1000-1200 per boat for a full-day offshore trip.

Considering that gear, licenses, fuel, and local know-how are part of the deal, guided fishing in Spain is often surprisingly good value.

How Much Should I Tip? 

According to our survey, Spain is one of the countries where tips are a welcome reward for a job well done, but don’t make the backbone of the family budget. Feel free to hold your tipping hand if you’re not fully satisfied, 5-10% is a good ballpark figure when the crew deserves it. 

When DIY Makes Sense

DIY is a good option if:

• You’ll be staying in one area for a while.
• You like exploring small rivers, reservoirs, or harbor walls at your own pace.
• You’re already comfortable reading water and rigging for local species.

For shore fishing on the Mediterranean, for example, a simple surfcasting setup with bait will put you into sea bream, snappers, and flatfish, especially at night. In northern Spain, walking a small river with barbel or trout in mind can be very satisfying – just be sure you’ve sorted out your license and any required permits.

Techniques and Tackle: What to Expect

You don’t need to bring an entire tackle shop with you. For most visitors, especially those fishing with guides, packing light is the way to go.

Heavy Gear: Ebro Catfish

For Wels catfish, think saltwater-strong:

• Long, robust rods
• Big reels with powerful drag
• 80–100 lb braid
• Heavy leaders and big hooks

The fight can be long and brutal, especially with fish over 2 m, so this isn’t the place to test your favorite light carp rod. Most catfish guides prefer you to use their gear, which is tuned specifically for the river and species.

Coarse & Carp Fishing

For carp, barbel, and other coarse fish, traditional carp rods and baitrunner reels are standard, with hair rigs, boilies or pellets, and method feeders. Many Spanish reservoirs are big and can be windy, so tackle that casts well and handles distance is useful.

Fly Fishing

Trout fishing in Spain feels familiar if you’ve fished elsewhere in Europe:

• 3–5 wt rods for smaller streams
• 5–6 wt rods for larger rivers or windy days
• Standard selections of dries, nymphs, and small streamers

Many Spanish trout are wild and spooky, especially in clear mountain water, so delicate presentation and long leaders are more important than weird new patterns.

Saltwater: From Bottom Fishing to Big-Game

On the coast, methods run the full spectrum:

• Bottom fishing / reef fishing with bait or jigs for bream, groupers, dentex, amberjack and similar species.
• Trolling with lures or bait for tuna, marlin, dorado and wahoo, often with chumming.
• Spinning and jigging from boat or shore for smaller pelagics and predators.

Depending on a location, you may experience a few locally popular techniques, such as chasing tuna with very small, very fast motorboats around Gibraltar, or teasing the pelagics to come near the surface with hookless lures, then throwing in rigged live or dead bait around the Canary Islands. 

If you book a charter, all rods, reels, and lures are normally provided. 

For DIY shore fishing, a medium-heavy spinning rod with 20–30 lb braid and a small selection of lures plus some basic surfcasting gear will cover a lot of situations.

Keeping Your Catch: Can You Eat What You Catch?

The answer depends on the species and area. Strict catch-and-release rules exist for some species like the blue marlin and the Atlantic salmon, and many inline river fisheries require you to release the catch, to ensure fishing opportunities for the future generations. However, for many species and most saltwater destinations you’re allowed to keep fish that are in season and above the minimum legal size, within bag limits potentially in place. 

Many boats offer keep-the-catch or share-the-catch policies. Share the catch means the captain and crew have first choice over what fish they want to take home and feed their families or sell to restaurants. Many visitors like to keep a couple of fish for dinner, and it’s quite common for captains to recommend a local restaurant that will prepare your catch, or even cook it themselves as part of the experience.

For big-game species like large tuna or marlin, catch-and-release is often preferred or required, depending on regulations and quotas. When in doubt, ask your guide what’s legal and sustainable, and err on the side of releasing larger breeding fish.

Ready to Fish Spain?

Whether your dream is a pre-dawn battle with a two-meter Wels catfish on the Ebro, a day of trolling for Bluefin off Mallorca, dry-fly fishing to wild browns in a Pyrenean valley, or night surfcasting for sea bream under the lights of a Costa del Sol resort, fishing in Spain lets you build the trip you want, at the intensity you want.

Explore and book guided fishing trips in Spain on BaitYourHook.com – use the search widget below to compare charters and lodges, check target species by season, read reviews, and lock in the dates that fit your travel plans and budget.

Tight lines – and buen viaje!

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