Fishing in Asturias, Spain

Fishing in Asturias

Asturias's Atlantic rivers — the Nalón, Narcea, Sella and Caudal — are among Spain's finest salmonid fisheries. Wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout run these rivers from spring through autumn, making Asturias one of the last remaining destinations in Europe where large salmon can be taken from public water. The rivers also hold exceptional populations of resident brown trout in their upper beats.

Salmon and sea trout beats in Asturias are allocated by lottery (tramos selectivos) — applications close in early spring each year. Brown trout fishing is more accessible across a wide range of beats with daily permits available from the Servicio de Pesca del Principado de Asturias. Asturias is part of the interautonomous licence scheme, with the shared licence valid across participating regions.

Species present across Asturias's public waters include Atlantic salmon, sea trout, brown trout, barbel, eel. The exact mix varies by water type and area.

Fishing Licence & Permits in Asturias

Asturias is part of the 10-region interautonomous fishing licence scheme — a single Licencia de Pesca Interautonómica (~€25/year) covers fishing across all participating communities: Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Comunitat Valenciana and Murcia.

The interautonomous licence is available online via the MITECO portal (miteco.gob.es). You will need a valid passport number or NIE number to complete the application. The licence is delivered by email and is valid from 1 January to 31 December each year. Non-EU residents are welcome to apply.

In addition to the interautonomous licence, some designated trout rivers and protected reservoirs in Asturias require a sector-specific permit — check venue pages on PiscaMaps for links to local permit offices. Always carry both the interautonomous licence and any sector permit when fishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many fishing venues are in Asturias?+
  PiscaMaps lists 503 public fishing venues in Asturias, Spain — 254 lakes and reservoirs, 231 rivers and 18 canals.
• Do I need a fishing licence to fish in Asturias?+
  Yes — anglers fishing in Asturias must hold a valid Licencia de Pesca. Asturias is part of the 10-region interautonomous scheme, meaning a single Licencia de Pesca Interautonómica (~€25/year, purchasable online via the MITECO portal) covers fishing across all ten participating communities. Some protected trout sectors and reservoirs require an additional local permit.
• What fish species can I catch in Asturias?+
  Public waters in Asturias hold Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Barbel, Eel, Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout. The exact species available vary by water type and venue — check individual venue pages for details.
• How far is Asturias from the UK for a fishing trip?+
  The most practical route from the UK is Brittany Ferries Portsmouth–Santander (around 24 hours) or Portsmouth–Bilbao (around 32 hours overnight). From Santander and Bilbao you can reach most of Spain's mainland comunidades by road — journey times range from 2 hours for Cantabria or País Vasco to 6–8 hours for Andalucía or Murcia. Alternatively, fly to a regional airport and hire a car.
• Can I buy a Spanish fishing licence online?+
  Yes — the interautonomous licence for Asturias can be purchased online via the MITECO (Ministry of Environment) website at miteco.gob.es. The licence costs approximately €25/year and is valid across all 10 participating comunidades. You will need a passport number or NIE number to complete the application.

Notable Lakes & Reservoirs in Asturias

Rivers & Canals in Asturias

Other Spanish Regions

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