Fishing in Slovenia

Some of the best fresh water fishing in Europe is in the Dolenjska Region of Slovenia, provided by the limestone karst streams and rivers. The most famous is probably the Soca river, but the Kolpa and Krka along with many others, have a wide variety of fish including both brown and rainbow trout, grayling and the highly sought after marble trout. Perch and pike, chub and eelpout are all to be found in plentiful supply as these waters have been very successfully managed for some 50 years. Permits, although not cheap, are readily available from local tourist offices, hotels and campsites and these make it easy to enjoy some of the best fly fishing that Europe has to offer.

Enjoy the untamed power of Alpine rivers and to be at one with a magical and mysterious
world, where dreamy and spectacular rivers are born and disappear into the Karst underworld. Fly fishermen from all over Europe are keen to come back to them again and again.

Slovenia is a country with abundant water. With virtually no industry, the many rivers, streams and lakes, enjoy an uninterrupted flow and history stretching across aeons of time. The diversity of its landscape is enriched by numerous watercourses, water sources, waterfalls, gorges, and many high-mountain, lowland, natural and artificial lakes, predominantly flowing through chalk, they offer a quality of water that is both pure and ideally suited to supporting aquatic life in all of its forms. There are 45 rivers over 25 kilometres in length and all are unique - Slovenia has more than 12,000 hectares of water surface. Waters in Slovenia are home to more than 90 species of freshwater fish. These include 33 species which are under permanent protection, leaving around 20 species to attract the recreational fishermen.

The Marble Trout (also known as the Adriatic trout) is one of the prides of Slovenia. Its sole habitat worldwide is restricted to the waters of the Adriatic basin. It is an endangered fish species, but can be fished in designated waters.

The Brown Trout is an indigenous species, known around the world and living in all continents. It is commonly found in Slovenia in the upper and middle reaches of streams and rivers countrywide, except in the Northeast - large individuals exist, especially in Karst waters. It shares its habitat in many waters with the rainbow trout and in certain areas with the brook trout.

Grayling is one of the most attractive species for the European fly-fishermen, as in most European waters its population is in steep decline due to cormorants plundering their numbers, but it is well represented in Slovenian streams.

Due to its size, the Danube Salmon or Huchen is without doubt first and foremost amongst Slovenian trout species.

The Nase is the main fish species that draws anglers. It is a shoal fish, inhabiting the middle reaches of Slovenian waters, best fished angling with floats. The Danube Roach is its accompanying species. In some waters, especially in Karst areas, it predominates and anglers especially appreciate it. The Barbel is similarly sought after and is the most combative fish species among them.

The Chub is an all-present wanderer - in shoals or individually and is present in both mountain streams and the silt meanders of low-lying streams.

Still water provides an ideal environment for Carp and this is the most sought-after fish species in this type of water. It inhabits numerous natural and artificial lakes, still pools and fish ponds, but also the middle and lower reaches of the majority of the rivers.

Bream are a common fish in these waters, formerly of lesser regard, but now gaining in value.

Tench is not a very common fish, but it is much appreciated among anglers and is to be found. The Wels, Pike and the Perch are fish that are especially attractive to fishermen that have spinning at heart, often sharing the same habitat, in particular lakes and pools.

The Pike is the most commonly found of the three, as it also resides in numerous flowing waters.

Fishing Seasons in Slovenia

	Brown & Marble Trout	Brook & Rainbow Trout	Grayling
Soca	1st Apr- 31st Oct	1st March - 30th Nov	1st June - 30th Nov
Unec	1st May - 30th Sept	1 st May - 30th Nov	16th May - 30th Nov
Sava Bohinjka	1st Apr-30th Sept	1st March - 30th Nov	1st June - 30th Nov
Krka
Radovna

Fishing Prices in Slovenia

Daily fishing passes cost around 35-100 € depending on the area. You can buy fishing permits at the fishing clubs, restaurants, pubs, camping sites and hotels.