Information · Legal fishing on natural waters
Fishing closed season 2026: periods by water and by species
Updated: 18 October 2026
Applies to wild fishing (public waters) -- private lakes set their own rules, shown on each lake's page.
Closed season
General closed season (natural waters)
9 April - 7 June
60 days, valid for most natural waters in Romania.
Border waters with Bulgaria, Serbia and Moldova24 April - 7 June (45 days)
Border waters with Ukraine (including the Tisza and Musura Bay)16 April - 30 May (45 days)
The Prut and the Stânca-Costești reservoir9 April - 7 June (60 days)
Closed season by species
Pike1 February - 20 March (Danube Delta: 1 February - 7 June)
Zander and perch20 March - 7 June
Whitefish, grayling, sea troutall year
Brown / rainbow / brook trout1 October - 31 March
Sturgeonsall year (except for scientific purposes)
Tench7 June - 6 July
Noble crayfish (Astacus astacus)15 October - 15 June
Danube crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), in the Danube Delta1 January - 9 April and 1 September - 30 September
Pontic shad10-15 days, by sector, between 31 March and 9 May (Black Sea - Ceatal Chilia: 31 March - 9 April; Ceatal Chilia - Vadul Oii: 5 - 19 April; Vadul Oii - Chiciu: 15 - 29 April; Chiciu - Iron Gates II: 25 April - 9 May)
Rare/protected species (Zingel zingel, Zingel streber, Danube ruffe, huchen, burbot, crucian carp etc.)all year
For information only, not guaranteed legal advice. There are many local exceptions (Danube Delta, border waters, catch-and-release sections) not covered here. Always check the official ANPA source before fishing.
Official sources: