When can you fish for Bighead carp in Romania 2026?

Closed seasons

There is no species-specific closed season for Bighead carp. Only the general closure (below) applies, in the zones and intervals shown.

General closure (all species)

In addition to the per-species rules, a general closure for all species applies in these zones:

• 9 Apr – 7 JunNatural inland waters (rivers, lakes) (Art. 1 alin. (1))
• 24 Apr – 7 JunDanube and its branches (state border) (Art. 1 alin. (1))
• 16 Apr – 30 MayBorder with Ukraine, incl. Musura Gulf (Art. 1 alin. (3))
• 9 Apr – 7 JunPrut River and Stânca-Costești lake (Art. 1 alin. (4))
• 9 Apr – 7 JunRazim-Sinoe complex and littoral lakes (Art. 1 alin. (2))

Minimum keep size

Minimum keep size: 40 cm. Specimens below this size must be released immediately.

Source: Ordin 342/2008, anexă (novac, 40 cm)

Fines (indicative)

• 2.000–4.000 RONFishing during prohibition periods and in protection zones; or within 500 m downstream of dams. (Legea 176/2024, Cap. XII art. 52)
• value-based / criminalValue-based fine: min = annual value of the fish product, max = 5× (repeat within 3 years: 2×-8×). Not a fixed sum. (Legea 176/2024, Cap. XII art. 55 (amendă valorică; reținere recreativă sub dimensiune, lit. j))

Frequently asked questions