Angler’s guide

FISHING REGULATIONS ON LAKE BALATON

 

Valid: From February 1, 2021 for all fishery water areas utilized for angling purposes by the fishing organization [Lake Balaton and its water system, and the Kis-Balaton reservoir no. 1]

 

Fishing on Lake Balaton and its water system is performed by Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd.(1 Horgony street, Siófok, 8600). Anglers on Lake Balaton must be aware and keep the stricter local Balaton Fishing Regulations in addition to the valid state regulations. Not knowing the rules means no exemption from the consequences. The structure of our fishing order was modified in accordance with the MOHOSZ National Angling Order: the unified local fishing order can be read on www.balatonihal.hu, in addition we have attached an extract of the angling order (EAO) to each area ticket, containing only the relevant points of the fishing order regarding specifically the angler who has purchased it. For this reason, the numbering of the II. chapter of the EAO is not continuous and the chapters VI. and VIII. can only be read in the unified local fishing order. 

 I. General regulatory regulations

 

1.      The angler is obliged to be familiar with the Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD (Ministry of Rural Development) Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.), as well as the Balaton Fishing Regulations before proceeding with the angling and to observe those throughout the angling.

 

2.      In case of violation of the Act CII. of the year 2013 or the Statute 133/2013. (XII. 29.) MRD, the area ticket will be withdrawn in each case, but may be withdrawn in case of violation of the Balaton Fishing Regulations and the National Angling Order as well!

 

3. By purchasing an area ticket, the owner gives consent for the audio/video recording of his/her angling activities by the fishing guards performing their duties. The recordings will be handled in accordance with legal regulations.

 

 4. By purchasing an area ticket, you have entered into a civil contract with Balaton Halgazdálkodási Nonprofit Ltd., and agreed the handling of your personal data in compliance with data protection laws. The area ticket is valid exclusively for angling!

 

5. If you notice any irregularities, please report it to the contact details listed below:

water bailiff notifier SMS: 06 30 3503333,  e-mail: halorzes@balatonihal.hu

We guarantee the anonymity of the applicant!

6. There are fish labeling surveys underway in the Balaton’s water catchment areas. If you catch a labeled fish, please send the following data to our address: the weight and length of the fish, the place and time of the catch, as well as the label. If you are sending the data via e-mail, a photo of the fish and the label suffices, if the numbering is legible. Data senders will be rewarded.

 

II. Special angling regulations

 

a) Privileges associated with ticket types

 

7. The general area ticket entitles the angler for angling on the whole surface of Lake Balaton out of vessels classified by navigation regulations as recreational crafts or from a vessel belonging to a higher category (with a registration number), and of course from a rowboat, as well for shoreside angling. (This ticket does not entitle the angler for carry in/drop the rig angling!)

 

8. The shoreside ticket is valid for angling on Lake Balaton, as far as 1500 meters from the shore, from the shore or from a watercraft without a registration number. (Does not entitle the angler for carry in/drop the rig angling!) The Annual Shoreside ticket holder has the possibility to purchase supplementary 24-hour and 72-hour Area tickets.

 

9. In addition to the above, all general and shoreside tickets are valid on the following angling areas of Lake Balaton and its water system (water area code: 14-002-2-1):

On the inflowing waters from the estuary of Lake Balaton on the following stretches:

-on the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) up to the Határkülvíz Canal (Csömendi Trench) estuary and also on Sári- és Cigány-belvízcsatorna (Sári Inland Canal and the Cigány Inland Canal) between the road to Somogyszentpál and the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal).

-on the Zala River up to the railway bridge of Fenékpuszta

-on the Hévíz-canal from the estuary to the 50 m downstream section measured from the sluice of the lake, on the Páhoki canal from the estuary to the Hévíz canal

Furthermore on the Kis-Balaton (Small Balaton) Reservoir nr 1. (water area code: 20-019-2-1), on both sides of the road between Zalavár and Zalaszabar, on the south bank of the Zala Riverbed from the inflow of the  Bárándi-patak (Bárándi Stream)  up to the barrier situated 50 metres under the Zalavári hid (Zalavár Bridge), as well as on the Babos-sziget (Babos-Island) and on the Kányavári-sziget (Kányavári-Island).

 

-on the Egyesített-övcsatorna (United Belt Canal) from the Bárkázó-híd (Barge Bridge) to the influence of the Gyöngyös stream,

 

-on the Fenyvesi-nyomócsatorna (Fenyvesi pressure canal) to the pump house,

 

- on the Keleti-Bozót-csatorna (Eastern Bush Canal) to the bridge between Lengyeltóti and Buzsák,

 

-on the Jamai-patak (Jamai stream) to the drainage sluice of the fishpond in Bugaszeg,

 

- on the Tetves-patak (Tetves stream) to the drainage sluice of the fishponds of Balatonlelle,

 

- on the Kismetszés stream to the main road No. 70,

 

- on the Nagymetszés stream to the wooden bridge in Szólád,

 

- on the Lesence, Kétöles, Tapolca, Egervíz and Burnót streams and on the Egermalom canal up to the main road No. 71

 

- On the Határkülvíz-csatorna (Határkülvíz Canal) also known as Csömendi-árok (Csömendi Trench) from the influence to the Nyugati-övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) to the bridge between Nikla and Csömend.

 

- Furthermore, on the Kis-Balaton Reservoir No. I (water area code: 20-019-2-1) on both sides of the road between Zalavár and Zalaszabar; on the eastern shore of the old Zala riverbed from the influence of the Bárándi stream to the barrier 50 m below the Zalavár bridge, and on Babos-sziget (Babos Island) and Kányavári-sziget (Kányavári Island).

 

Further details about the above mentioned angling sites, ticket office locations and other useful informations can be found marked on the map at www.adatbazis.balatonihal.hu.

 

10. The Carry in/drop the rig weekly and 72 hours Area ticket entitles the angler to practice the carry in/drop the rig from the shore or from a platform standing in the water with compliance of the regulation of this method, annexed to the ticket. These tickets do not entitle the angler for keeping any fish!

 

11. The Additional General 24 hour or 72 hour tickets entitle the angler for angling on the whole surface of Lake Balaton from vessels classified by navigation regulations as recreational crafts or from a vessel belonging to a higher category (with a registration number). It can be purchased only by an angler possessing an Annual Shoreside ticket.

 

12.  The Kis-Balaton (Small Balaton) Annual Area ticket is valid for the Kis-Balaton reservoir no. 1 shoreside areas stated in point 9.

 

13. The Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal) Annual Area ticket is valid for the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) from the Rákóczi Ferenc street bridge up to the Határkülvíz Canal (Csömendi Trench) estuary and also on Sári- és Cigány-belvízcsatorna (Sári Inland Canal and the Cigány Inland Canal) between the road to Somogyszentpál and the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal) and also on the Határkülvíz-csatorna (Határkülvíz Canal) also known as Csömendi-árok (Csömendi Trench) from the influence to the Nyugati-övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) to the bridge between Nikla and Csömend.

 

14. The territorial validity of tourists’ area tickets is the same as of the shoreside area tickets. The tourists’ area ticket can only be purchased by an angler possessing an annual national tourists’ licence. Furthermore the annual national tourist licence holder can only be served with a tourists’ area ticket.

 

15. The angler who has purchased an adult area ticket may use at the same time two rods. For adult anglers the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 5 pieces altogether but no more than 3 pieces of each species or 10 kilograms of each species. When the 10 kg limit is over with the particular fish caught – it can be kept but that species cannot be fished on again that day. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 10 kg per day is allowed to catch.

 

16. The angler who has purchased a junior area ticket or a tourists’ ticket may use at the same time one rod. For junior anglers (between 14 and 18 years) the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 3 pieces altogether but no more than 2 pieces of each species or 10 kilograms of each species. When the 10 kg limit is over with the particular fish caught – it can be kept but that species cannot be fished on again that day. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 5 kg per day is allowed to catch.

 

17. The angler who has purchased a children’s area ticket may use at the same time one rod. For children anglers (under 14 years) the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 1 piece. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 3 kg per day is allowed to catch. Children’s ticket holders are allowed to angle from a vessel with a registration number only in the presence of an adult angler owning a General area ticket.

18. Apart from the fishing tackle, the angler is allowed to use one “umbrella-style” baitfish lifting net with a surface of a maximum 1 m², required for the gathering of catchable baitfish not exceeding 15 cm that are used solely for angling purposes.

 

19. You are allowed to catch fish enabled for only one day by the regulations when you have a 24-hour area licence.

 

20. You are allowed to catch fish enabled for only three days by the regulations when you have a 72-hour area licence and you must keep the daily limits according to the regulations.

b) Quantitative restrictions, size limits and prohibition periods

 

21. Adult anglers owning an annual area ticket are allowed to keep a total of 100 pieces of the species under number-restriction, junior anglers 50 pieces, while child anglers a total of 20 pieces in the course of the year. After reaching the quota there is no possibility to buy a second card

22. The owners of an annual area card for the Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) or an annual area card for the Nyugati övcsatorna (West Belt Canal) are allowed to catch a total of 30 size-restricted fish during the year. After reaching the quota there is no possibility to buy a second card

23. On the Kis-Balaton only one specimen of a raptor fish  protected by a bag limit (asp, pike, catfish, volgazander, zander) can be kept per day.

24. By derogation from Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.) regulations considering size limit, in case of the fish caught in Lake Balaton and its water system the following size limits apply: carp: 35 cm, zander: 35 cm, asp: 45 cm, pike: 45 cm. In their prohibition period, the catfish are protected regardless of size!

 

25. By derogation from Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.) regulations considering bag limits, only one piece of asp can be kept per day.

 

26. It is PROHIBITED to keep any carp measuring more than 70 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin! The angler is obligated to release the fish (after potentially taking some quick photos) gently and immediately.

 

27. Of zander measuring more than 70 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin it is allowed to keep one specimen per day. The angler is obligated to release any subsequently caught zander measuring more than 70 cm (after potentially taking some quick photos) immediately, in a gentle way.

 

28. Of pike measuring more than 75 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin it is allowed to keep one specimen per day. The angler is obligated to release any subsequently caught pike measuring more than 75 cm (after potentially taking some quick photos) immediately, in a gentle way.

 

29. The smallest catchable size of perch is 15 cm, of which it is allowed to keep a maximum quantity of 2 kg per day. (The perch is not included in the annual quota of 100 pieces, but it counts as other fish in the daily allowed maximum of 10 kg of other fish caught.

 

30. It is PROHIBITED to keep any burbot (Lota lota) caught in Lake Balaton and its water system.

Quantity restrictions, size restrictions and closed seasons. Updated according to the fishing regulations at Lake Balaton and the 2021 calendar

 

Name of the fish	Closed season	Size limitation	Bag limit	Other limitations
Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario)	1st October –  31st March	22 cm	3 pcs
Pike (Esox lucius)	1st February – 30th April	45 cm	3 pcs	Above 75 cm you can keep 1 piece per day.
Asp (Aspius aspius)	1st March – 30th April	45 cm	1 pcs
Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)	1st March – 30th April	35 cm	3 pcs	Above 70 cm you can keep 1 piece per day.
Perch (Perca fluviatilis)	1st March – 30th April	15 cm	2 kg
Volga pikeperch (Sander volgensis)	1st March – 30th June	25 cm	3 pcs
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)	3rd May –  31st May	35 cm, maximum size 70 cm	3 pcs	All specimens above 70 cm must be released.
Barbel (Barbus barbus)	16th April - 31st May	40 cm	3 pcs
Catfish (Silurus glanis)	3rd May - 15th June	60 cm	3 pcs	The prohibition time of catfish applies to all sizes.
Ide (Leuciscus idus)	16th April – 31st May	20 cm
Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus)	16th April – 31st May	20 cm
Vimba bream (Vimba vimba)	16th April – 31st May	20 cm
Burbot (Lota lota)	Not allowed to catch all year long!
Ziege (Pelecus cultratus)	16th April – 31st May	20 cm
Tench (Tinca tinca)	3rd May - 15th June	25 cm	3 pcs

 

c) Seasonal restrictions

 

31. It is illegal to fish using live bait, dead fish slice or artificial lure on any fishing spot (coast, platforms, watercraft or wading in the water) and to keep asp, pike, Volga zander, perch and zander between 1^st March and 30^th April. (Rubber / silicone / styrofoam baits imitating maize or other seeds or pellets are not considered as a lure in case of this point of the fishing order, so their use is authorized for peaceful fish angling.)

 

32. Fishing is allowed only from the shore between  1st  and the 30th  of April. It is prohibited to fish from a craft (including sailing ships, boats, etc.), watersports equipments (kayak, canoe, surfboard, etc.) and bathing equipments during this period. With the exception of the following two approved areas of the northern shore, where angling is allowed only for peaceful fish within 50 meters distance from the shore reeds, in the period between 06:00 h and 19:00 h. Dates indicate departures from the port as well as the arrivals! For those angling out of watercrafts or fishing platforms it is PROHIBITED to store lures, baitfish, fishslices in their vessels and on the platform as well as to use them for angling! Furthermore to retain any asp, pike, catfish, Volga zander, perch and zander in the above-mentioned periods is also PROHIBITED!

 Coastal stretches allowed for fishing:

-          On the northern coast of the eastern basin of Lake Balaton: from the Peremarton Anglers Association’s ( Peremartoni HE) harbor entrance of at Balatonkenese (47 ° 02'21,5 "N; 18 ° 04'15,9" E) to the Aszófő-creek estuary at Balatonfüred (46 ° 55'55,4 "N; 17 ° 51'36,1 'E);

 

-          On the northern coast of the central and western basin of lake Balaton: from the Bozsa Anglers Association’s (Bozsai HE) harbor entrance at Örvényes (46 ° 54'39,6 "N; 17 ° 49'45,2" E) to the border point situated at 150 meters south from the Petroleum Industries Sport Fishing Association’s  ( Kőolajipari Sporthorgász Egyesület) harbor at Keszthely (46 ° 43'24,3 "N; 17 ° 14'48,2" E).

 

33. There is a general fishing prohibition from 15 April to 15 June southwards from the Bambi-bridge on the Keleti-bozót-csatorna (46°44'09.0"N 17°33'54.1"E) and southwards from the Kéthelyi-bridge (46°39'58.8"N 17°24'49.0"E) on the Nyugati-övcsatorna, (including the Cigány-csatorna, Sári-csatorna and the Határ-külvíz-csatorna). It is prohibited to stay on and at the bank of the upper mentioned water bodies, in possession of any kind of tackle which is suitable for fishing. It is allowed to fish on the stretches between the mentioned bridges and the inlets of the mentioned channels to Lake Balaton, but it is not allowed to keep any carp or catfish.

34.      It is illegal to fish at night (between 10 pm and 4 am) from a craft (including sailing ships, boats, etc.) between 1^st November and 31^st March. Dates indicate departures from the port as well as the arrivals! This restriction is not placed on shore fishing.

 35. Within 50 meters distance from the bridge on river Zala in Zalavár you may fish only by using a single hook, furthermore IT IS PROHIBITED to fish with the spinning method from 1st December until 30th April.

d) Restrictions regarding fishing methods

 

36. The carry in/drop the rig angling method can only be practiced by owners of an a special area ticket for carry in/drop the rig angling method (annual, weekly or 72 hours ticket) and by following the regulations regarding the method. These are covered in a separate chapter and can be found on the annex of the mentioned tickets and on our website (www.balatonihal/behuzoshorgaszat). Carry in/drop the rig angling is a fishing method whereby the distance between the hook and the fishing rod is not solely determined by the force of the cast and the angler gets his rig in its place by using a device (i.g. boat, feeding boat or other authorized watercraft), or he takes his rig to its place without casting it, by walking in or swimming in the water. Angling by wading in the water, then casting the end tackle is also considered carry in/drop the rig angling while the the average water level of Lake Balaton is above 80 cm (www.hydroinfo.hu).

37. Use of a bait boat is prohibited unless the angler has purchased an area ticket which entitles him for carry in/drop the rig angling and he has checked in validly.

38. Trolling is allowed only with one rod kept in your hand.

39. On frozen still water surfaces, ice fishing is only possible where it is not prohibited and the ice is at least 10 cm thick, does not melt or move. The angler must clearly mark the fishing hole after finishing the angling.

 e) Other restrictions

40. It is compulsory to log in the fish species marked with code numbers in the angler's diary must by using the corresponding code number (1-10)

 

41. Adherence to occasional, periodic fishing bans imposed during fishing competitions is mandatory.

42. It is compulsory to light the angling spot at night and in poor visibility with a light that is visible from every angle.

43. Angling and boating within the protected areas marked with yellow buoys is prohibited! The list of the appointed areas can be found on  www.balatonihal.hu website.

44. Angling from the shore or any platform is forbidden on Lake Balaton from the eastern end of the Örvényes beach towards Tihany, up to the western boundary of the coast of Tihany Yacht Club, except the MOHOSZ stone pier.

 

III. Fish protection regulations

 

45. It is prohibited to fish intentionally for any kind of fish, which is below the size limit (in case if the species is protected by size limitation) or which is protected by closed season at the date of the fishing, even if the angler releases the fish! If the angler catches such fishes repeatedly and unintentionally, he/she must switch for another fishing method or fishing place.

46. In case of angling with alive or dead baitfish or fish slices only the use of single hooks is allowed! By the practice of  this fishing method it is PROHIBITED the use of double and treble hooks in order to protect undersized fish. The catfish angling methods using live baitfish of at least 15 cm are considered exceptions.

47. If you want to take the fish caught in a legal way and protected with a size limit you have to kill it before leaving the angling spot in a quick and humane way. It is illegal to transport living fish. 

48. It is illegal to replace or release the fish caught and put in a keepnet, on a string or on a metal keeper later. You have to release the fish you want to immediately after the catch. 

49. It is strictly illegal to sell or financially barter the fish caught. 

50. The catch can not be given away at the shore and the fish intended to be kept can  only be stored in one’s own fish storing equipment ( fish stringer, keepnet, etc.) 

51. In case of fishing for more days in a row, the angler is allowed to keep in his possession at most the amount of fish that can be kept for 2 calendar days (eg. at most 6 pieces of zander) in the watercraft used for fishing or at the angling place, in case if the angler has caught these fish in compliance with the catch limits and he had booked these in the catch diary, but not longer than 48 hours. 

52. It is prohibited to keep the fish in any kind of keepnet or cage made of metal or wire!

53. The tackle is considered guarded and supervised in the following cases:

a)            The angler is staying within 50 meters of its tackle and at the signal of the bite alarm he can begin to play the fish;

b)            The angler is on the water to play the fish, or to release it, or feeding the swim, or to carry in the tackle (if he/she disposes of the authorizing ticket) 

54. On the day of the fish stocking it is PROHIBITED to angle within 200 meters from the area of the stocking.

 

IV. Ethical standards

 

55. The whole basin of Lake Balaton is a waterway is suitable for navigation. Bearing this in mind, the angler may not make any claim of compensation from the driver of the watercraft in case of any damage occuring to his equipment due to the watercraft. The angler – especially who is practicing the carry in/drop the rig method – can minimize the possibility of damage by using the available technical solutions, e.g. line sinkers.

V. Land use and environmental regulations

 

56. It is illegal to start or continue fishing if there is rubbish on the spot. It is compulsory to leave the angling spot clean after fishing.

57. It is illegal to process the caught fish on the angling spot or in the boat until the end of angling.

58. It is compulsory to keep the local port regulations, the local fishing orders and land use regulations posted on the individual coastlines! In case of violation of the port regulations, the area ticket may be withdrawn!

 

59. It is only allowed to place a buoy or a picket in the Balaton bed while fishing. The fisherman is obliged to remove these after the end of the fishing session.

 

60. It is illegal to destroy or damage aquatic plants, plants on the shore or the shore protecting objects.

61. You are not allowed to reserve an angling spot except for the piers with official permission and the privately owned lakeside properties.

 

VI. Special requirements for combined and merged area tickets

 

62. The national merged area tickets issued by MOHOSZ qualify as shoreside tickets regarding the territorial validity and other privileges.

 

63. merged area tickets issued by HOFESZ and RDHSZ entitles for angling on Lake Balaton from the shore up to 1500 meters towards the water.

 

VII. High priority offenses and applicable sanctions

 

64.In case of a blatant or repeated violation, the offending fisherman can be banned from the purchase of the Balaton area ticket for a longer period of time. In this case, after the expiration of the ban, the angler can only get a Balaton area ticket again in the headquarter of BHNp Zrt.

 The priority acts justifying the revocation and a ban on purchase of an Area ticket and the degree of prohibition:

 

 

 

Penalties for flagrant and recurrent violations of the regulations

 

VIII. Final provisions

 

65. The issuer of the area ticket and the angling organization as a legal entity is not liable for accidents and damages occurring in the areas managed by it and excludes its liability for compensation for damages.

66. Anglers shall use equipment placed on the shore, in angling areas, angling and water facilities solely at their own risk.

67. In other matters not regulated here, the Civil Code, laws on fishing, on fisheries management, on fish protection, environmental and nature protection laws, and a legislation on law enforcement activities and MOHOSZ regulations, as well as the rules of the association's disciplinary regulations shall apply.

 

Siófok, 01.04.2021