Question 1

Do I need a fishing license in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Freshwater: fishing license required, varies by region.

Question 2

Where can I buy a fishing permit for Italy?

Accepted Answer

You can buy permits via: Freshwater license (regional) (Provincial / regional government); FIPSAS membership (optional) (FIPSAS); No license needed (Sea fishing); Bluefin tuna permit (Ministry of Agriculture).

Question 3

What fish species are common in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Popular target species in Italy include Brown trout, Marble trout, Pike, Largemouth bass, Perch. See the species table on this page for sizes, closed seasons and key waters.

Question 4

What are the main fishing rules in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Catch data reporting required for some species. Closed seasons, minimum sizes and bag limits vary by species and water — see the rules tables above.

Question 5

Is catch and release allowed in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Catch and release is generally allowed but rules differ per water and species. Always verify with Each Regione manages freshwater; Ministry of Agriculture for marine.

English	Italienska	Scientific	FAO	Min size	Closed season	Methods	Key waters
Brown trout	Trota fario	Salmo trutta fario	TRS	22–25 cm	Oct–Feb (varies)	Fly, spin	Alps, Apennines streams
Marble trout	Trota marmorata	Salmo marmoratus	—	35–40 cm	Varies	Fly, spin	Soča/Isonzo, Po tributaries
Pike	Luccio	Esox lucius	FPI	40–45 cm	Feb–Apr	Spin, dead bait	Po Valley lakes
Largemouth bass	Persico trota	Micropterus salmoides	LMB	25 cm	Varies	Spin, fly	Lago di Bolsena, Trasimeno
Perch	Pesce persico	Perca fluviatilis	FPE	15–18 cm	—	Spin, jig	Lake Como, Garda, Maggiore
Wels catfish	Siluro	Silurus glanis	SOM	—	—	Bottom, spin	Po River, northern rivers
Common carp	Carpa	Cyprinus carpio	CYP	30 cm	—	Bottom, boilies	Po Valley lakes
European bass	Spigola / Branzino	Dicentrarchus labrax	BSS	25 cm	—	Spin, fly, bait	All coasts
Gilt-head bream	Orata	Sparus aurata	SBG	20 cm	—	Bottom, float	All coasts
Bluefin tuna	Tonno rosso	Thunnus thynnus	BFT	30 kg / 115 cm	ICCAT permit	Trolling	Sardinia, Sicily
Tench	Tinca	Tinca tinca	TEN	20–25 cm	—	Float, bottom	Northern lakes
European eel	Anguilla	Anguilla anguilla	ELE	Restricted	Varies	—	Heavily restricted

Fishing in Italy

Find a fishing partner in Italy

Licenses & permits

Where to buy

General rules

Species-specific rules

Common species in Italy

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Italy

Species	Water	Min size	Bag limit	Closed season	Notes
Brown trout	Freshwater	22–25 cm	—	—	Season varies by region
Pike	Freshwater	40–45 cm	—	—	—
Largemouth bass	Freshwater	25 cm	—	—	—
Perch	Freshwater	15–18 cm	—	—	—
Sea bass	Sea	25 cm	—	—	—
Sea bream	Sea	20 cm	—	—	—
Bluefin tuna	Sea	30 kg or 115 cm	—	—	ICCAT permit required