Fishing in Italy

Located on a peninsula that divides the Mediterranean and the Adriatic sea, with the island of Sicily located right in the middle of the former, where no fish could possibly miss it, Italy offers the ultimate of deep sea fishing. But that’s not all! The Apennines and the Italian Alps are full of rivers and streams that will satisfy any fly-fishing enthusiast, and there is are a lot of bigger rivers and lakes to add to the variety. Fishing in Italy is strictly regulated, with seasons and keep limits differing from province to province. Tourists will usually need to obtain a “Type D” license, which is uncomplicated to get but requires a visit to a government’s office. You don’t need a license to fish as a client of a registered charter, as you’re covered by the captain’s license, but fishing from the shore does require a license.

“Fishing in Italy” brings to mind images of the picturesque Napoly Bay, the almost African island of Sicily, and the lagoons of the Veneto, where lake fishing meets saltwater fishing. At every point of the Italian coast you will find ample opportunities for nearshore and offshore fishing. If your heart longs for wandering along cool mountain streams, you will miss nothing while backcountry fishing in the Italian Alps and the Apennines, where you find both picturesque locations and rivers and streams full of trout. And, lest we forget, lake fishing in Italy is excellent, both due to unique species, and the fact that a combination of warm air and cool Alpine water allows trout, perch and bass to reach enormous sizes.

Bluefin tuna, swordfish and Mahi Mahi are found in large numbers around the Italian shores, especially near Sicily and in the Adriatic Sea. May to July is believed to be the best time for these deep sea giants. The smaller offshore species, such as groupers, amberjacks, sea bream and European seabass are also found in abundance. Italy’s lakes contain a large amount of fish, and some of them are unique for Europe. Fishing enthusiasts flock to Lake Garda for its freshwater sardines, and to Lago Maggiore for its largemouth bass. More common, but no less attractive, freshwater fish includes trout, greyling, perch, bass, zander, catfish and carp.

Italy is one of the countries that claim to be the originator of flyfishing, and numerous ancient ways of casting with fixed lines and whip-like motions are still practiced by local anglers, sometimes with a locally-caught grasshopper as the “fly”. Modern fly-fishing techniques can, of course, be applied as well; bear in mind that you can expect rather dense tree cover on most streams in the Apennines. Anglers who carry spinning rods are not frowned upon, either, and trolling is commonly used on the lakes and big rivers.