To go fishing in Portugal you need a licence of some kind. There are several different kinds but the Portuguese Federation of Sport Fishing website will tell you everything you need to know … with a little help from online translation. Permits are cheap but you’ll need to allow a couple of days for your application to be approved.

Better still, you can hire a local guide, who will not only know all about the local bureaucracy and seasonal restrictions but also where the best sites are.

Portugal has some of the best carp fishing in Europe and because a lot of the waterways are rarely fished you can land some really big specimens. Other types to look out for are catfish, bass, barbel, shad, sturgeon, chub and pike; while fly fishing enthusiasts should head for rivers in the north to find salmon and rainbow trout.

Fishing is a great way to explore the off-the-beaten-track beauties of Portugal and there are a number of organizations offering all-inclusive fishing holidays. Most of them will also arrange one-off fishing days, including permits and equipment hire. So, whether you are an experienced angler or an absolute beginner it’s easy to find something to suit you.

source