Fishing in Montenegro

Fishing (Montenegrin «пецанье») is a popular hobby, a type of active recreation, tourism and water sports that dozens, if not hundreds, millions of people around the world are engaged in. Depending on the object of fishing, the place of fishing and the season, people distinguish various types of fishing, using different tackle and equipment.

Montenegro can offer all lovers of fishing, as well as for professional ones, excellent conditions and a huge variety of places for fishing. In Montenegro, fish live in almost all water bodies:
 

• in the Adriatic Sea, there are over forty species of fish and other deep-dwelling inhabitants (small shark, tuna, sea eel, mackerel, moray eels and many other fish),
• Lakes in the northern and central parts of the country are rich in bleak, salmon and carp,
• Rapid and clean mountain rivers are abundant with carp and trout.

Even on the piers, next to the tourist-filled beaches, you can easily catch any representative of the water depths without much difficulty.

Lifehack: You cannot fish on public and organized beaches in the summer from dawn to sunset.

Fishing in Montenegro is a very popular type of recreation with both locals and tourists, as it is useful for the whole organism - both for the body and for the soul. When you fish, you are distracted and forget about all the worries and problems, you are regulated by breathing and blood circulation, and periodic bursts of emotion and adrenaline from the process allow you to get a charge of positive energy and excellent mood.
 
1. Sea fishing.

Catching really big and dangerous fish is possible in the Adriatic Sea near the coast of Montenegro. Sea fishing in Montenegro is the most popular with tourists, as it is here that you can combine a pleasant boat trip with such an interesting and physically active occupation as catching large marine fish. In addition to the magnificent views of the diverse vegetation and the majestic coastal cliffs, you will undoubtedly get a huge amount of adrenaline and vibrant emotions from the fishing, and in the end you can even grill your catch.

Lifehack: for your catch to be rich and varied, go for sea fishing only with an experienced fisherman who will show you the most suitable places and teach all the wisdoms of fishing!
The best time for sea fishing is either early morning or late in the evening. In the morning the water in the sea is quiet, calm, the boat floats slowly and smoothly. During these hours the shore is especially beautiful, covered with coniferous trees, beyond which the mountains can be seen. From fishing at this hour you will get maximum pleasure, even if you do not catch anything. The Adriatic Sea is quite rich in fish, which is usually caught on spinning with bait, but you can also use the nets if you go to sea with an experienced fisherman.

The main value for fishermen in the sea is tuna in all its varieties: bluefin tuna, albacore, small tuna. Catch here you can mackerel, barracuda, mullet, European bass, sea eel or even stingray! Also, with the rise in sea temperature, the dorado begins to be caught well. In addition, spiny dogfish, swordfish, seriola, yellowtail and dorado fish are possible to be caught in the Adriatic. In April, it is best to catch a small tuna with a weight of 10-15 kg, May-June is the time for catching sharks, in early August the time comes for bluefin tuna with an average weight of 70-80 kg. (some fish can reach a weight of 500 kg. !!!).

Sea fishing in Montenegro has a number of limitations:

- First, tourists need to get a temporary license for a month. Such a document will cost the fisherman around 30 euros.
- Secondly, it is forbidden to have on board a swimming device gear or equipment that is not intended for this method of fishing.
- Third, the extraction of each species of marine fish is limited. So, it is allowed to catch 3 kg. fish per day, and only one large specimen can exceed a weight of 5 kg.

In Montenegro, the widespread method of sea fishing is drifting -fishing from a drifting boat. Thus the engine can be both switched off, and on, but so that the boat slightly advanced forward. The most important parameter for drifting is the speed of the boat in relation to the tide. If the wind and tide act in one direction, the drift of the boat will be too fast. Then the movement of the boat can be slowed down with the help of a floating anchor. If the boat is floating along the current, then the set bait will take a natural position, and then the predatory fish that are ready to hunt will most likely seize them. Large sharks can be caught with the help of drifting, using as bait whole fish (mackerel, small tuna).

The success of fishing on the Adriatic Sea depends on many factors:

high and low tide (phase of the moon);
Weather;
Time of Day;
Catching place;
Wind;
Wave height;
Bait (wobblers, etc.).

A popular place for sea fishing, oddly enough, is the most famous resort and entertainment city of the country - Budva. Here the mackerel, needle, and garfish bite well from the pier, and on the sandy scythes there will usually be a flounder in the catch. Special respect for the inhabitants of Budva enjoys a special kind of mackerel called shirun. In the first days of October, for already 40 years, the townspeople celebrate Day of Shirun. On this festive day, people gather in the square of the Old Town, where cultural and entertainment events are held. Here you can enjoy beer and wine, as well as enjoy the freshly prepared mackerel on the street. To get on this fishing holiday, you need to plan your vacation at the end of September and the beginning of October.

I would like to note that in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro there are also a lot of different fish, especially in the Risan, Kamenari and Stoliv areas. It is well-known that the fish gathers in the places of the drop of depths and that is why the area of the Bay of Kotor, 15 miles from the entrance to the bay, is considered the fishiest place in Montenegro. Also in the bay is very popular underwater hunting, which is impossible not to catch fish!

In Montenegro, the marine fish season ends in November-December.

2. Lake fishing.

Not less popular with tourists is the lake fishing in Montenegro. All those who want to relax from the bustle and eager to retire with spinning somewhere in a secluded creek, it is worth going to lake fishing. The clearest transparent mountain air, stunning scenery and unhurried, quiet fishing await tourists on the banks of the picturesque Montenegrin lakes.

Fishing in Montenegro on the Skadar, Biograd and Piva lakes is popular not only with tourists, but also with local professional fishermen. In the lake you can catch herring, salmon and delicious carp! For fishing on the lake, it is not necessary to take a boat, you can catch directly from the bridge. The beginning of fishing is optimal at 7-00 in the morning, and the end until 7 pm in the evening.

Lifehack: The famous Skadar Lake is not allowed to fish from 15 March to 1 July, and the cost of a fishing license for one day is 5 euros.

You can fish in Montenegro not only in the warm season. For example, during the winter season, ice fishing is very popular on the lakes of Durmitor National Park and other reserves.

Lifehack: Going fishing to the Montenegrin National Park, do not forget about the restrictions on catching fish. In some places, fishing can be banned at all or in a certain period. For example, in some waters of the Biogradska Gora National Park, fish can be caught only from 1 May to 1 October, and only on certain days of the week. These days can be clarified at the staff of the National Park.

3. River fishing.

Having gone to the north of Montenegro, be sure to try fishing in the river. For those who like to wander through the turbulent, winding streams, catching fish in the rushing waters of mountain rivers is perfect. The main difference of all mountain rivers in Montenegro is the amazing purity of the water. Such rivers as Tara, Luca, Piva, Lim, Moraca, Mirtvica, Zeta and many others amaze with their crystal transparency, which is why they are rich in valuable varieties of fish - trout, grayling and salmon. The rivers of these rivers are very tortuous and have many rifts, which make fishing with spinning particularly interesting. On the river Tara ruffe, pike, burbot and bream are biting excellently. The most delicious trout in Montenegro is found in the rivers Tara, Mrtvica and Moraca. The main way of fishing on the Montenegrin rivers is fly fishing, when a fishing tackle simulates an insect that has entered the water.


Lifehack: The fishing season for freshwater fish begins around autumn and winter, while fishing on the high seas lasts just the opposite - from April to the very beginning of winter.
 
There are several ways of catching fish in Montenegro. First, the classic catching of fish by the net for surface collection. Secondly, fishing with a special network for deep-sea fishing. Third, the throwing of a hook-rod (rod, spinning), which can occur both from the shore and from the boat. Fourth, sport fishing with spinning.

The most budget and affordable way to catch fish in Montenegro is to catch fish from the shore. Fishing from the beach or pier is free, almost everywhere and without any permits. This is a great opportunity to spend a holiday in the family circle, while not forgetting about your favorite hobby, since it is in Montenegro that a family summer holiday can combine both beach and fishing (for families where the head of the family prefers fishing to all kinds of leisure).

When fishing from the coastline or in the bay, your catch will consist of garfish, mullet and mackerel. If you go to the rocky coast of Montenegro, then, most likely, you will catch sea bass, barracuda, moray eel, mackerel, mullet, and possibly, sea eel. Choosing for fishing a sandy beach or the mouth of the river, you can catch a sea flounder, yellowtail flounder and European flounder.

Fish on the coast of Montenegro is caught all year round, and if you apply knowledge, patience and a little luck - without a fish you definitely will not go.

Lifehack: Remember that every fish changes its habits depending on the time of the year. Having studied the peculiarities of the behavior and habitats of different species of fish, you can enjoy fishing all year round.

In Montenegro they catch fish mainly on mussels, squid, shrimp, bread, balls from the batter to small hooks 7-8, with a float or without. The simplest live bait in Montenegro is the so-called "skolki", that are, mussels, which are often found on concrete beaches or simply in rocks near the shore. Local fishermen bandage the soft and loose meat of the mussels by winding their thin fishing line around the hook. Also, local people manage to catch from the shore and predatory fish (dentex, Liсhia, European bass, Tuna, Sarda, Barracuda, bream, etc.), but use for this rod or spinning with wobblers as bait. Different bait for fish is sold in any local market.

Excursions in Montenegro - Fishing in the Adriatic Sea, lakes and rivers.

In Montenegro it is possible not only to go fishing alone, but also to book an excursion, which will include fishing. Fishing in this case takes place with an experienced instructor who will accompany you all the time, telling you how to catch, what baits and techniques to use to catch this or that fish. When ordering a fishing, a car is usually organized, which will take you to the catching places and return it. Also before the shipment there is a briefing on the safety and fishing techniques of a particular fish, as well as leasing professional equipment for fishing with baits and lures. The duration of excursion fishing takes about 4-6 hours, and the price is on average from 40 euros per person. Everything depends on the duration of fishing, the number of people in the group, boats, fuel, gear and bait and other additional services.

In addition, Montenegro is extremely popular with underwater fishing, conducted in the waters of the peninsula of Lustica and in the mouth of the Bojana River. Anyone can take part in the underwater hunting and catch octopus, tuna or other marine life. Fishing in Montenegro in open and calm water in sunny weather allows you to catch a fish needle, which is often used as a bait for catching barracudas and other predators of solid size. Especially the fish-needle lives in reservoirs near the town of Lustica.

Also night fishing is very popular in Montenegro. At night, fishing is both an unforgettable adventure and a romantic walk.

Sports fishing in Montenegro is just developing, and local residents still enjoy the wealth of the Adriatic for the most part for fishing. From very exciting for sports fishing it is necessary to note: blue and white marlin, light blue and yellowfin tuna, royal mackerel, wahoo, coryphaena, moray eel, sea eel, of course this is not a complete list. In general, fishing in Montenegro is given enough importance, because this art has been honed here for centuries. And today you can become a witness of fishing competitions, including international ones, held, for example, in Kolasin, Herceg Novi and Tivat.
 
The Tara River.
The famous "tear of Europe", nicknamed so for its purity, the Tara River is very rich in salmon. The best places for fishing are concentrated in the area of the Durmitor National Park and the Tara River canyon. When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.
Possible trout fishing weighing up to 10 kg, Danube salmon weighing up to 40 kg, Grayling weighing up to 2 kg

The Mrtvica River.
The tributary of the river Moraca, famous for its wild nature and beautiful scenery, is ideal for fishing. When fishing in the canyon of the river Mrtvica only artificial lures are allowed.
Possible trout fishing weighing up to 10 kg, Danube salmon weighing up to 40 kg, grayling weighing up to 2 kg

The Moraca river.
The canyon of the river Moraca, stretching for 38 kilometers, is a truly beautiful place due to its landscapes, flora and fauna. The river Moraca is rich in noble varieties of salmon fish, as well as a special kind of marble trout. When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.

The Black Lake.
The most famous glacial lake, located in Montenegro in the National Park Durmitor. It amazes with the beauty of the wild nature, which leaves an unforgettable impression for every visitor. Black Lake is located at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level. It is rich in trout (Californian, lake, river, arctic char). When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.

The Kapitanovo Lake.
Kapitanovo Lake is located between the cities of Kolasin and Niksic at an altitude of 1678 meters above sea level. It is characterized by beautiful mountain scenery. The lake is rich in trout (Californian, river, arctic char). When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.

The Plavsko Lake.
Plavsko Lake is located in the north of Montenegro at an altitude of 950 meters above sea level near the Prokletije mountain range. Beautiful rocky mountain scenery around complement the impressions from fishing.

Biogradkso Lake.
The lake is located in the National Park Biogradska Gora and is surrounded by relict tropical forest. Biogradsko Lake is of glacial origin and very beautiful. It is rich in trout (Californian, river, arctic char). When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.

Rikavacsko lake.
The lake is located near the border with Albania between the Prokletije and Komovi massifs, surrounded by beautiful rocky landscapes. The lake is rich in trout (river, arctic char). When fishing, only artificial baits are allowed.

The Ljuca River.
The Ljuca River flows into the Plavsko Lake from the south. It is rich in trout, grayling and Danubian salmon. The most common fish in the river is a large grayling, reaching a weight of 3 kg. Also pike is common here.

The Skadar Lake.
Skadar Lake National Park is one of the few places in Europe where pelicans live in natural conditions. Every year, the lake is visited by a quarter of a million different birds returning from hot countries, so this place is considered a true paradise for lovers of bird watching. Two-thirds of the lake is in Montenegro, the rest is in Albania. The lake is extremely rich in fish - it is home to carp, eel, almost 40 species of trout and even some marine fish species. The main fishing prey of the lake is carp, it is well caught in shallow waters and deep near the mouths of the flowing rivers and around the numerous islands. Fishing is allowed almost all year round, but with some restrictions - from 31 October to 15 March, fishing is prohibited, carp cannot be caught from March to June. Given the unfavorable weather, the number of days suitable for fishing is 190 days a year.

Sacko Lake.
The Sacko lake in Montenegro is a paradoxical example of a reservoir, which, it would seem, is a stone's throw away, but intractable difficulties arise on the approaches close to them. Not only it is problematic to approach the lake (there is only one good access), its banks are also so inconvenient that there can be no question of catching the shore. It only remains to use the boat.

How to get to the places of fishing in Montenegro?

You can go fishing practically from any place in Montenegro where you have a rest or work - whether these are beach towns: Budva, Kotor, Tivat or the central settlements of the country: Cetinje, Podgorica, Zabljak. For fishing, you do not need to get a license and other documents - it's enough to find these places and get there. In Montenegro, there are several options for how to get to the fishing catch:

Go by bus. Daily and round the clock in Montenegro there are a huge number of buses and city shuttles that will take you to the bus station in any city. All these buses during their movement also stop in the intermediate cities - for example, if the bus follows from Budva to Zabljak, then along the way it stops in cities such as Cetinje, Podgorica and Niksic. In addition, the driver can stop the bus while driving in a specific and necessary place to you, unless of course you agree with him in advance.

See the schedule of buses in Montenegro you can here

Go by own or rented car. Here, of course, it should be said that although the distance on the map does not look very large, but because of many mountain serpentines, narrow roads, one-way traffic and frequent repairs, the road will take longer than expected. For example, it takes about 4-5 hours to go from the coast to the Durmitor National Park and the famous Tara River, which is located in the center of Montenegro. The advantages of this method are obvious - you choose the route, time of departure and the city for visiting and sightseeing and historical places during the trip.

Buy an excursion in the city where you rest, live or work. For example, in a travel agency or on the embankment of Budva, Petrovac, Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi, Dubrovnik, etc. You will be picked up early on a comfortable bus, taken to the specified place for fishing, and afterwards delivered back.

As you already understood, it is not necessary to dwell in the immediate vicinity of the fishing grounds. Throughout Montenegro there are beautiful hotels and apartments for every taste and purse. View all offers for housing in Montenegro and book your favorite room on our website or in the free application "Guide around Montenegro / Way to Montenegro" on Google Play.

When going fishing in Montenegro, you need to take into account that all the rules related to this type of activity here are not recommended, but mandatory, and they must be familiarized with. For fishing with non-compliance with the rules and without a license, the offender is threatened with an impressive fine and spoiled rest.

Fishing in Montenegro is an interesting way not only to spend time with benefit, to relax in a close family circle or in the company of hobby colleagues, but also to replenish the photo album with bright and memorable pictures with caught sea trophies!

Blue marlin.
Blue marlins sometimes weigh up to 500 kg and can be longer than 4.5 meters. The nose of this fish is a sharp horny appendage. It was this fish (blue marlin) trying to catch the character of Hemingway in the story "The Old Man and the Sea". White marlin sometimes reaches up to 3 meters in length (usually these fish do not exceed 1.5-2 meters) and weigh over 50 kg. The best time to catch is between 05:00 and 11:00 in the morning. It takes artificial bait well.

Blue tuna.
Blue tuna is gregarious fish, most common in coastal waters, although sometimes they swim and away from the shore. This is one of the largest of the tuna, at times exceeding the length of 3 m and weighing up to 350 kg. The size of the yellowfin tuna is up to 240 cm, and the weight reaches 200 kg. Yellowfin tuna is often grouped with other fish of its size, including: dolphins, sea pigs and whale sharks. Yellowfin tuna is fed mainly by other small fish, crustaceans and squid.

Shark.
In sharks everything is thought out to perfection. Their body is surprisingly streamlined: from an acute snout to a saber-like caudal fin, which allows you to develop in the water a huge speed, make lightning shots and unexpected maneuvers.

Stingray.
Most stingrays lead a bottom way of life and feed on cancers, plankton and small fish. Stingrays are characterized by a very "flattened" body and large pectoral fins, fused with the head. Some rays reach a span of fins of 2.5 m and a length of up to 5 m.

Sea eel.
Adult eel reaches huge sizes, but, despite its size, it is very cautious and timid. At the first danger, the eel instantly breaks off and hides in a secure shelter. However, this fish is very curious, and you can take advantage of it. At night, it emerges from its hole in search of food.

Moray eel.
Morays live deep on the sea bed. During the days they sleep in crevices of rocks or corals, their heads poking out, and they look out for the passing prey. At night they are chosen to hunt. Usually morays are fed by fish, but sometimes they attack both crustaceans and octopuses. These fish are very greedy and voracious, so they quite willingly peck at the bait. The most important thing is to unerringly choose the place of its dwelling and always remember that moray eels are poisonous, and the bite of this fish is a great danger for a person. Go hunting for this fish is only when certain skills are available. The nearest congeners of moray eels are absolutely safe. The meat of this fish is considered a delicacy.

Wahoo.
Wahoo has a thin long body and a bright striped color - light silver scales with blue stripes on the sides, but these strips disappear immediately after the death of the fish. It is one of the most beautiful fishes living in the Adriatic Sea. The structure of the body of the fish is such that it can make throws at a speed of up to 80 km /h. The average weight of the fish is 10-20 kg.

Dorado.
The length is 2 meters and weighs about 30 kg. Coloring is extremely bright. The back of the dorado is painted in a sparkling green-blue color, and the sides and belly are cast with silver or gold. Dorado is popular as an object of sport fishing.

Bluefish.
The back color is green with a blue tint, the belly is white. Bluefish reaches a length of 30-70 cm and weight to 5-10 kg. The bluefish support desperate resistance when cutting: they make very sharp throws, jump out of the water or, on the contrary, swiftly rush down. Sometimes fighting with fish takes long hours.

Sarda.
Fish from the mackerel family. On the chest of the scales forms something like a shell. The back is bluish with dark narrow oblique bands; In young individuals, in addition, dark broad transverse bands. The belly is silvery. Dorsal fin not interrupted.

Seabass.
Sea bass is also known as sea wolf and branzina. In length, the fish reaches 1 meter, and the mass can reach up to 10 kg. Sea bass is not only tasty, but also useful for health. It does not contain fat and is a good source of proteins.

Mackerel.
Ordinary commercial fish of the Scumbrian family, a group of Perciformes. The maximum length is 60 cm. The body is spindle-shaped. Scales shallow. The back is blue-green, with a lot of black, slightly curved strips. There is no swim bladder. Mackerel is gregarious heat-loving fish.

A mullet.
There are about 4 species of fish of this family. The most valuable commercial fish, with a length of 45 cm. A mullet is distinguished by the presence of long antennae on the lower jaw, with which the sand is loosened on the seabed and catches the small inhabitants of the sea. The fish keeps flocks mainly at the bottom. The Adriatic is rich and other worthy trophies, such as albacore, fox shark, golden mackerel, yellowtail and dentex.


 

---